Gatwick Lounge Access... is it worth it?

[SamaraSamara]

is Gatwick Airport super busy during the October half term? I'm traveling with 2 children, one being Autistic who doesn't like noisy busy places. is it worth my booking lounge access?

sorry typo... it is worth me booking it?

Not sure about Gatwick but we did Heathrow No1 lounge with our 2 this summer and it was lovely, we had to get to the airport earlier than ideal so was really nice to have somewhere comfortable to sit, some food. We fly via Gatwick next year and I intend to book the No1 lounge there. I get access via my credit card for £18.50pp though, not sure I'd say it is worth full price (unless you drink a lot, which kids obviously don't!)

I get free access via my bank, but I wouldn't pay for it. Often too full of families on packages.

No not really

This. Wouldn’t pay for it. Don’t even usually use it, even though I can.

The lounges are usually rammed during school holiday so if busy and noisy is a problem, you're probably better off saving your money and finding a quiet corner of the airport instead.

I don't like the lounges, I find them boring, I'd rather walk round the shops. We also had a bad experience once when we were in a first class lounge where they didn't have the flight calls on any boards, we thought it was getting late so I went to check outside and we were on final call. None of the staff has many calls either. We made the plane but it was far from relaxing!

Very few lounges - the commercial ones and the ones when you fly business or first have calls nowadays @Diddykong

In fact, in 30 years of frequent flying (in all first classes) I've actually never been in a lounge where they call the flights. There are the information boards & you're expected to check. Although when I've flown First, someone usually comes to remind me.

But to have flights called would be intrusive & noisy. One goes to a lounge to get away from the noise & intrusion. Although as PPs say, during school holidays, a paid-for lounge is probably as noisy as the airport concourse.

I never go to a lounge. Just get there late enough to go straight to the gate.

Does your child have a sunflower lanyard / special assistance? Gatwick have a sensory room and a special assistance quiet room but you need to prearrange etc

Lounges are often rammed

This, get in touch with the airport in advance and see what they have available.

Often too full of families on packages.

Oh god the riffraff on PACKAGES 😱

Yes, he will have. Thank you, this is so useful to know!

We always book a lounge. Never seen any of them packed. I've got a DragonPass through my bank account. Food can be a bit meh, but always somewhere to charge phones. Invaluable when there are delays!

🤣 not so much the riff raff but rather they’re busy places with lots of excited kids, which is FINE, they have as much right to be they as anyone else. But quiet relaxing places they are not. So I’d rather go to a restaurant or bar! But premium security is £5 and really good, so quick! If you’re going to spend money on something then I’d choose that any day.

That was the issue, no boards. I always use the boards. We walked in and they said they didn't have boards and that they'd call us with plenty of time. And then they didn't 😒

I always use lounges, I’ve never seen them busy. I like them for a quiet 40 minutes before going to the gate.

Often too full of families on packages nice

Special Assistance at Gatwick is very good. The lounge can get busy, but not noisy as its usually elderly, disabled and unwell/injured travellers. Staff are lovely and kind too.

This was my thoughts - I've never seen one busy and I travel a lot.