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Which London airport and terminal?
British Airways flights also operate to and from London Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5, London City and London Stansted.
Check which London airport and terminal your flight will depart from or arrive into.
Flight information
Check when your flight arrives or departs
Travelling to/from London Gatwick
British Airways flights to and from London Gatwick operate through the South Terminal.
You must meet the following times, or you will not be allowed to travel:
- Check-in closes 60 minutes before all flight departures.
- Pass through security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs.
- Be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight departs. Please check how long it will take you to get to the gate. If we have your contact details, we will try to contact you when it is about to close but we can't delay the aircraft's departure to wait for late passengers.
Find out more about Gatwick's airport services and book
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Check-in
When travelling from London Gatwick, you have the following options to check in:
1. Online 24 hours before your flight departs:
2. When you need to check in at the airport on the day of departure:
- If you are travelling in a group of more than nine people, please use a check-in kiosk or go to a check-in desk.
- If your child is travelling alone, or with you but on a separate booking, please go to a check-in desk.
Check-in closes 60 minutes before all flight departures. Please allow enough time, e.g. in case there are any queues.
Dedicated check-in desks are available to:
- customers travelling in First, Club World or Club Europe
- Executive Club Gold, Silver and Bronze Members
- oneworld® Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby members
Overnight Bag Drop is available if you are travelling on a flight departing before 13:00, you can check in your bags between 18:00 – 21:00 the day before.
For security reasons, you cannot check in someone else in their absence, everyone in your booking needs to be present. We'll ask you to provide a contact number, give you your boarding pass and take any baggage you want to check in. Once your baggage has been checked in, we won't be able to retrieve it so make sure you have everything you need before you check in.
Bag Drop
AirPortr + Bag Check-In service

From your doorstep to your destination
Let AirPortr pick up your bags from your chosen location and check them in for your flight with the AirPortr + Bag Check-In service, allowing you to travel to the airport luggage-free.
Available for flights departing from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester.
More about AirPortr + Bag Check-In
Payments at the airport
Like many airlines, we are unable to accept cash payments at many of the airports we operate from, including London Gatwick. Please check with a member of our staff at the airport to find out if options are available for converting cash to a payment card.
Security
You must enter security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs.
Premium Security is available daily 05:30 - 14:00 and 16:30 - 21:30 to:
- customers travelling in First, Club World and Club Europe
- Executive Club Gold and Silver Members (plus one guest)
- oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members (plus one guest)
Lounges
Access to the lounges is based on your travel class and/or frequent flyer membership status. There are two British Airways lounges in the South Terminal.
Lounge |
Location |
Opening times |
Available to |
Aspire Lounge |
After security |
05:00 – 17:00 Monday - Sunday
|
- Customers travelling in First and Club World
- Executive Club Premier, Gold Guest List (plus two guests) and Gold Members (plus one guest)
- oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members (plus one guest)
|
Boarding
After you clear security, please make sure you have enough time to get to your gate, as you need to be there at least 20 minutes before your flight departs.
Check the information screens if you’re not sure which gate your flight departs from. If we have your contact details, we will try to contact you when it is about to close but we can't delay the aircraft's departure to wait for late passengers.
You will notice a ‘Group’ number on your boarding pass which shows your boarding priority. Please be ready to board the aircraft when your group is called.
Find out your group for boarding
If you want to take advantage of pre-boarding or priority boarding, please arrive at the gate early.
Pre-boarding is available to:
Priority boarding
We are trialling a new boarding process. Priority boarding will only be available for families and customers who may need additional time to board.
Flight connections
Find out everything you need to know about flight connections with British Airways, including travelling between London airports.
Flight connections
Disability and mobility assistance
If you need additional help for your journey, e.g. for getting through the airport, boarding the aircraft, or reaching your onward travel connections, please let us know at least 48 hours before you travel at Manage My Booking and we can arrange this for you with Gatwick airport.
More about disability assistance
Transport links
Trains at London Gatwick
Gatwick railway station is directly accessible from the South Terminal.
Rail information and ticket desks can be found in the arrivals area of the South Terminal.
Trains at London Gatwick
Buses and coaches
National Express operates a network of services each day to and from London Gatwick Airport. Unlike other coach operators, National Express will take you to the heart of the London Gatwick South Terminal from towns and cities throughout the UK, making getting to the airport hassle-free.
- It is a safe, fast and reliable way to travel.
- Gatwick to Heathrow coach services run 80 times a day, and the journey takes up to an hour.
- Book your return tickets now to ensure a great fare or book an open ticket for more flexibility.
Find out more about National Express coach travel
Travelling by car
Gatwick is 28 miles (45km) south of London, linked directly to the M23 motorway at Junction 9 and to the A23 London-Brighton road. The M25 London orbital motorway is a ten minute drive away (Junction 7), via the M23, providing connections to the national road and motorway network.
Driving to and from Gatwick
Private hire taxi service
Get a quote and book a taxi at Gatwick.
Airport parking
When it comes to your travels, we understand how important it is to plan ahead. That’s why we’ve partnered with ParkVia to offer a wide range of parking options at UK and international airports, making it easier to reserve, park and jet off with peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for secure airport parking, the convenience of valet parking or an airport hotel with parking – we’re sure to have the right option to suit your travel needs.
- Collect 5 Avios per £1 spent when you pre-book parking.
Find out more about parking and book
Arrivals
British Airways is currently operating from the South Terminal at London Gatwick airport.
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Passport control
Once you have disembarked from the aircraft and are in the terminal building you will need to pass through passport control.
You can use the automatic ePassport gates if you have an eligible passport with a chip in it from one of the following countries:UK, EU, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America.
Premium immigration is available to book online at Gatwick Airport.
Baggage reclaim
After passport control, follow the yellow signs for 'Arrivals/Baggage reclaim' and look for your flight on the information screens to see which carousel your bags will arrive on.
Customs
Once you have your baggage, you may need to pass through customs. You can find more information on allowances and restrictions on the GOV.UK website.