London Gatwick

When travelling from London Gatwick, you have the following options to check in:

1. Online 24 hours before your flight departs:

• Check in at Manage My Booking and print your boarding pass.
• Use the British Airways app to check in and download your boarding pass to your mobile device.

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

If you have baggage to check in, take your bags to a Bag Drop desk, these desks are open at the following times on the day of departure:

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.

You can drop off bags for others travelling with you, but they must be on the same booking and you must bring their passports and all travel documents, including health tests, required for the journey.

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.

If you are travelling with hand baggage only and you have already checked in, please go straight through security and to the gate. If your hand baggage exceeds your allowance, you may need to check it in, and charges may apply.

Check your baggage allowance

Doorstep baggage pick-up and check-in

Have your baggage collected from your doorstep, securely transported to the airport, and checked-in for your flight, allowing you to travel to the airport luggage-free and head straight to security when you get there. Available for flights departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Geneva, Zurich and Vienna.

More about Airportr.

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.

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)

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.

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:

• families with small children
• customers requiring disability or mobility assistance

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.

Find out everything you need to know about flight connections with British Airways, including travelling between London airports.

Flight connections

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.