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Original poster

Help tonight please. Domestic flight ID from Gatwick

77 replies

SpeedyMackechnie · 05/03/2023 20:50

Looking for advice from anyone who flies regularly within the UK with Easyjet from Gatwick please.

Do they EVER ask for ID for domestic flights?

Husband and son (14) flew from a UK airport to Gatwick this morning. Never needed ID (as far as any of us recall, we never show ID for any of the domestic flights we take), but realised when he got to London that he'd left his driving licence at home.

He literally went with his phone, his bank card in the phone case and a change of clothes.

The event they were attending was in Nottingham, and they took the train up there from London. They are staying in Nottingham tonight.

Their flight home is from Gatwick tomorrow and he needs to decide whether to risk it, or whether to take the train home north from Nottingham. Journey would be between 7 and 10 hours.

If they did decide to risk it, my son would get on the flight and my husband would have to get the train home all the way from London.

EasyJet terms and conditions state that ID is required, but has anyone ever been asked for it?

I'm going to take photos of his driving licence and passport and send them to him in any case, but not sure whether that would even be accepted.

They are not checking in any bags, if that makes a difference.

Thank you!

OP posts:
peachgreen · 05/03/2023 20:53

I fly domestically on a regular basis and they have pretty much always asked me. Sorry.

DappledThings · 05/03/2023 20:53

We flew Gatwick to Belfast and back with Easyjet in October. Only DH was asked for ID as he was the only one with a large cabin bag. So you should be fine. But Sod's Law will mean maybe not.

peachgreen · 05/03/2023 20:54

Oh hang on, just saw they’re not checking in any bags. Hmmm. I’d say it’s maybe a 60/40 chance in that case. They might get away with it.

scunnerednurse · 05/03/2023 20:56

I flew easyJet from Scottish airport to London airport a few weeks back, it was only after I arrived in London it dawned on me they never asked. Not asked on return either.

Viewfrommyhouse · 05/03/2023 20:58

They do usually. Your child won't have to show any because he's flying with an adult who can vouch for him, but if your husband can't provide his own ID, I'm not sure that they'll allow your son to board either. I'm surprised that you've never had to show photo ID before. I always have. Easyjet state on their website that its required.

tribpot · 05/03/2023 20:58

Your son won't be allowed to travel on his own on the plane. So I think your options are:

  • you fly down with the ID
  • they both chance it and if turned away train it home from Gatwick
  • they both get the train home from Nottingham.

They're unlikely to find it much quicker from Nottingham than London, do I think I'd chance it on the plane and then get the train if need be.

DappledThings · 05/03/2023 21:03

I'm surprised that you've never had to show photo ID before. I always have. Easyjet state on their website that its required.
I was too, presented my driving licence at the gate with my boarding pass and she batted it out of her way. Quite disconcerting!

Sunbird24 · 05/03/2023 21:08

Just had a look on Trainline - using Edinburgh as an example the journey time is an hour shorter from Nottingham than Gatwick and about £20 cheaper depending on departure time.

Worth having a look for your specific location, and also considering the logistics of picking them up when they get there, whether separately or together

Original poster
SpeedyMackechnie · 05/03/2023 21:09

tribpot · 05/03/2023 20:58

Your son won't be allowed to travel on his own on the plane. So I think your options are:

  • you fly down with the ID
  • they both chance it and if turned away train it home from Gatwick
  • they both get the train home from Nottingham.

They're unlikely to find it much quicker from Nottingham than London, do I think I'd chance it on the plane and then get the train if need be.

Thanks for response.

My son has his own ID (a Young Scot card). Given that he'll also have his own boarding card, why would he not be allowed to fly?

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/03/2023 21:10

tribpot · 05/03/2023 20:58

Your son won't be allowed to travel on his own on the plane. So I think your options are:

  • you fly down with the ID
  • they both chance it and if turned away train it home from Gatwick
  • they both get the train home from Nottingham.

They're unlikely to find it much quicker from Nottingham than London, do I think I'd chance it on the plane and then get the train if need be.

Why wouldn't the son be able to fly?

rattlemehearties · 05/03/2023 21:11

Hm yeah easyJet ask for Photo ID from adult passengers at the gate but not kids

Sunbird24 · 05/03/2023 21:12

EasyJet website says children 15 and under can’t fly unaccompanied

Original poster
SpeedyMackechnie · 05/03/2023 21:12

Sunbird24 · 05/03/2023 21:08

Just had a look on Trainline - using Edinburgh as an example the journey time is an hour shorter from Nottingham than Gatwick and about £20 cheaper depending on departure time.

Worth having a look for your specific location, and also considering the logistics of picking them up when they get there, whether separately or together

Sorry for drip feed, but when he realised this morning that he didn't have ID, he bought train tickets from Nottingham to our home station (Aberdeen) so he didn't spoil the day stressing about how to get home. So the tickets aren't a problem, my son just wants to wing it on the flight.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpeedyMackechnie · 05/03/2023 21:13

Sunbird24 · 05/03/2023 21:12

EasyJet website says children 15 and under can’t fly unaccompanied

Really? Nightmare!

OP posts:
Flowersinmai · 05/03/2023 21:13

AFAIK EJ don’t allow under 16s to fly without an adult who is 16 or over.
www.easyjet.com/en/help/boarding-and-flying/flying-with-children

Viewfrommyhouse · 05/03/2023 21:13

SpeedyMackechnie · 05/03/2023 21:09

Thanks for response.

My son has his own ID (a Young Scot card). Given that he'll also have his own boarding card, why would he not be allowed to fly?

Show quote history

Because Easyjet don't allow under 16s to fly by themselves.

Original poster
SpeedyMackechnie · 05/03/2023 21:13

Thanks for all your responses. Mixed experiences!

OP posts:
jocktamsonsbairn · 05/03/2023 21:17

I fly EasyJet a lot from Glasgow to London, Bristol and Birmingham. Never been asked for ID for those flights but was when flying to/from Belfast.

percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 21:18

Gatwick airport is no where near Nottingham, why on earth are they going so far south to fly to Aberdeen? That's madness and they have tickets for the train now so it would be ridiculous to travel back to Hatwick.

ChairOfInvisibleStudies · 05/03/2023 21:19

I've flown easyJet Gatwick-Scotland four times in the last few months, including yesterday, and haven't been asked for ID any time. On my own experience I'd chance it!

LiftyLift · 05/03/2023 21:19

I’ve flown quite a few times between Gatwick and Glasgow, my mum has too. Never been asked for ID at either end. Could they take a photocopy of the ID for worst case scenario?

LondonMummer · 05/03/2023 21:21

I fly Luton to Edinburgh every couple of weeks. If you don't check in luggage you don't need to show ID

Alannahxx · 05/03/2023 21:22

I fly easyjet once every 6 weeks from Gatwick, never been asked for id unless checking in a bag

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 05/03/2023 21:22

I’ve flown to Scotland twice recently from Gatwick on Easyjet, no ID. Flew back BA both times and was asked. I think it’ll be fine.

JennyDarlingRIP · 05/03/2023 21:22

I used to fly between London/Essex and Manchester a lot and other domestic flights at least 4 times a month. Think I showed ID once, maybe twice. Can they refund the train tickets? If not might as well use them, either way you won't get your flight money back

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