Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Flown from Gatwick lately?
EarlyStarters · 03/04/2022 16:10
Hoping someone here has flown through Gatwick recently?
We fly tomorrow morning early flight so leaving home 4am was the plan so we're at Gatwick 2 hours before our flight.
Hand luggage only. North terminal.
EasyJet have emailed to say it's best to arrive 2.5 hours before flight.
I know it's only half hour difference but ugh. Do I really need to reschedule taxi to 3:30am so we're there at 4:30 instead of 5?
Without bags to check I was hoping 2 hours would be more than enough.
Or is Gatwick security shockingly long waits right now?
londonmum789 · 03/04/2022 16:26
We flew from Gatwick North Terminal this morning, minimal queues for bag drop and security at around 9.15am. I wouldn’t reschedule
HundredMilesAnHour · 03/04/2022 16:33
Given the reports on social media yesterday about chaos at Gatwick (as well as other airports), I'd err on the side of caution and get there 30 mins earlier.
www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/2074241-gatwick-chaos-2-april.html
You'll probably be fine but for the sake of 30 mins, is it really worth the risk?
Getabloominmoveon · 03/04/2022 16:34
I flew yesterday, with check in luggage. No problem at all - through check-in and security in about 30 mins, and had plenty of time for breakfast at Pret.
EarlyStarters · 03/04/2022 16:46
Thanks all. We were erring on the side of caution as it was as in the middle of the night an hour is about 15 minutes over estimate for the drive anyway.
So should be in the terminal about 2:15 before take off time anyway.
Surely without any bags to check we should be alright.
EarlyStarters · 03/04/2022 16:49
@HundredMilesAnHour
www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/2074241-gatwick-chaos-2-april.html
You'll probably be fine but for the sake of 30 mins, is it really worth the risk?
I of course agree.
But already feel that with aiming for 2 hours pre-flight with no bags to check in and self check in already done that 2 hours seemed somewhat excessive.
My tickets just state that bag drop (which I don't need) opens 2 hours before take off and the gate closes 30 minutes before.
So surely if bag drop isn't even open at the time I'm going through passport control then I'm already ahead of the passengers who do need to check bags?
HundredMilesAnHour · 03/04/2022 16:56
My tickets just state that bag drop (which I don't need) opens 2 hours before take off and the gate closes 30 minutes before. So surely if bag drop isn't even open at the time I'm going through passport control then I'm already ahead of the passengers who do need to check bags?
That logic only works if there are no other flights departing before/similar time to yours. Security is for all flights, not just yours. 
Annexlife · 03/04/2022 20:20
Yesterday evening. It was busy. easyJet opened check in 3 hours in advance and that was quick, no issues. Security however was another story. We had fast track with our parking and it still took 45 minutes. We had loads of time as we were there early but there were a lot of stressed people running for the plane.
Delatron · 04/04/2022 18:08
We fly Thursday. I’m guessing the reports were from this weekend which was the start of the half term for some. Then next weekend will be busy for the staggered other half terms. I’m hoping mid week won’t be as bad but could be wishful thinking.
We flew the Saturday of half term in February. Was Heathrow but utter carnage.
Roselilly36 · 04/04/2022 18:41
Do Gatwick still have a Premium Security option, worth paying for IMHO, quicker, usually quiet, a lot of the lounges include it, or you can buy it separately.
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