EasyJet out of Gatwick - when to get to airport?

[Localher0]

We're flying out of Gatwick at 0545 in august. Bag drop opens at 0300 but I've heard that the queue for security and passport control are really bad. Should we aim to arrive at 0300 or earlier?
What experiences have you had recently there?
Thanks

I flew out of Gatwick with easyjet on a Wednesday morning around 8.30am and went pretty much straight through security. We got there slightly before bag drop opened but we really had no need to worry at all - I reckon it took about 15 minutes to get through. This was a couple of weeks ago when airports were reported to be worse than they are now

If bag drop opens at 3am there won't be much point in arriving a lot earlier. You'll just be waiting around unnecessarily.

Things generally aren't as bad as the media would like them to be.

Good point @Topseyt123 ! We went thru quickly in April but my DD just went to Tenerife and only just made it to the plane last week despite being there early so I'm nervous. Usually we turn up as late as possible but I think we might have to change our (bad) habits.....

We arrived about 3.45 for a 6am flight and bag drop/Security wasn't too bad recently (but was term time )

If you are staying at airport night before easyjet do offer twilight bag drop (which wasn't obvious when I checked in online so we didn't plan to do it)

www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/cabin-bag-and-hold-luggage#twilightbagdrop

Check their website as I read an article yesterday that said they were introducing twilight check in for early morning flights at some airports so you might be able to bag drop the night before if that’s convenient.

We flew out of Gatwick and EasyJet said they opened 2 and a half hours before the flight but in fact opened three hours before. We had no problems. Back in April they wouldn’t let us do twilight drop.

here you go, scroll down: www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/cabin-bag-and-hold-luggage#takemetohold

Twilight bag drop! What a brilliant idea - we're fairly close to the airport and my son has volunteered to go and drop off the night before. Although I'm a little worried he might send them on a flight to godknowswhere!

Check in online. Bag drop the night before. Then all you need negotiate is security. Which was fine when we went a couple of weeks ago - half an hour and we were airside (Sat 6.00am). But if the queues are hideous when you get there you can pay £6 pp for express security.

I left from Gatwick to euro destination on Tuesday. Security took a long time, big queue, took an hour. But it was moving and people who were going to miss flights just jumped the queue. Suggest twilight bag drop and don’t fanny about straight through security. But it sounds so changeable. I heard different things from people who had only flown week before and sailed through.

We did twilight bag drop at Gatwick a couple of weeks ago.. then straight to security in the morning.. it was so easy and quick😊

I would also look at Fast Track security. It was the best £10 we spent!

I'm at Gatwick right now. 1 hour 45 for bag check in then 15 minutes through security and straight to the gate for the boarding queue!**

If youre flight is fully booked I'd arrive minimum 2.5 hours before.

We are on similar flight time and I was wondering about luggage drop and staying at Premier Inn the night before?! For one week hols I'd like to avoid all the drama!!

We flew with Tui last Saturday. We were late and only got to the airport with less than 2 hours to spare. Security was the fastest we’ve ever been through!

Thanks all. Think we're going to do the twilight bag drop and then aim to get there 2 hours before the flight leaves. If everything works well and we have time airside then that'll be great as last time the queues for food were so long we had to just grab crisps and oaty bars. DD is coeliac so it'll be good to have extra time to find her something. 🤞🤞

My friend queued for 30 minutes to get into one of the Gatwick cafes the other day, not in school holiday time. Two hours before an EasyJet flight means about an hour before they’ll call you to the gate - they call early so they can make a prompt getaway - so you won’t have long airside even if the security queue is short. Would consider fast track security or eating on the flight!

Just checked boarding passes and we have Fast Track Security already so that's a bonus!

We had a 6:45 flight 1 week ago, arrived at 5 am, already quite busy. We only had hand luggage though and I’d pre printed the boarding passes so it was all quite easy. Prepare as much as you can in advance- boarding passes, liquids in transparent bags up to 100ml only, bring a refillable water bottle. Should be ok, less likely to suffer cancellation/ delay that early in the day

We flew easy jet Friday from Gatwick. Flight was for 7am. We stayed overnight before (didn’t know about twilight bag drop). We got there about 5:55 bag drop queue took about 20 mins, security was really quick.
food was busy took about 10mins to get a sausage rolll and some drinks.

Didn't have anytime airside as had to get straight to the gate as was going to close!

Just bumping to see if anyone has updates on getting through Gatwick?? We're planning to do twilight bag drop so it will 🤞 make things quicker ......

Just a note on the food front, went through at the end of June and gluten free options in Pret and Boots were very limited so might be better to take something with you for DD, not sure if you'll have time for a restaurant....

Thanks @Pashazade - yes we'll make sure to have a bag of breakfast for her this time! The GF porridge pots are good on the plane - as long as you remember a spoon 😳

There may be a limited menu on the plane, they weren't doing anything hot (other than tea or coffee) when I flew.

Sorry @Pashazade I meant we'd take the pots and use the hot water on the plane to fill and eat porridge!