Thanks. I've not actually done a BAEF from LGW but I believe it would be indistinguishable from a BA City Flyer from LCY or BA mainline from LHR... All of which, in economy at least, make for fairly dull videos!!!
Great video Matt! I also prefer Gatwick to Heathrow, I used the club lounge and I did find that it was much more organised and clean, the same with the rest of the airport, I chose to fly out of Gatwick as I was traveling with a friend who needed wheelchair access and that was superb! They were very organised and from the minute we arrived until the time we flew was very well organised and customer service was excellent! Although she may have managed without a wheelchair as the airport is much smaller and not so much walking around the airport,
Nice to see you cover a BA trip from Gatwick! I managed to do a LGW-GLA in October 2022 whilst I was OneWorld Sapphire and got to experience the London Gatwick lounge, I was quite impressed by it! Be nice to see a BA Lounge added to London City in the future even if its more basic.
Thanks for this, Matt. In all honesty, I find Gatwick substantially better than Heathrow T3 these days. The only downside is that if you don't have Gold/Silver status, then you will find the Priority Pass lounges much more crowded.
Ah yes the left turn turn short cut is a great trick to know but a little crowded once you exit into the shopping zone. Haven’t used the first lounge yet with our new gold status always looked left with envy at the desks but seeing your video I’m well rather disappointed I don’t think it’s much better if at all than the club lounge which we always enjoy. Looking forward though to our first T5 gold status access later this year & the short walk straight into the lounge 🙂
I think the F lounge is ok at LGW - I gather I got lucky in this video as the club lounge can get quite busy first thing so being able to spread out in the F is nice to have... And the F wing at LHR is a delight!
Great video Matt. I am a big fan of a BA lounge, albeit my experience is not diverse and mainly limited to EDI and LHR. If I ever reach silver I will be doing a European lounge tour.
I'll be at LGW next month so interesting to see the lounge options. Looking forward to visiting First lounge for the first time. For domestic flights Economy Exit row seems a much better option than Club. Great video.
Fully agree with car parking charges being more acceptable at LGW. When flying to the Caribbean with a morning flight an overnight at the Gatwick Sofitel gets the holiday off to a great start with no traffic delay worries.
Thanks - good point about the traffic.... I got stuck on the M25 for about 40 minutes on this trip - I wasn't expecting huge delays at 7am but you never can tell... I'd allowed plenty of time so was ok but an overnight prior does make it all much safer
Thanks for this! Usually fly from LHR but as the price of a CW ticket to Vancouver was £500 cheaper to go from LGW we’ll be heading to the lounge there in a couple of weeks 😁
Thank you Matt; Alan Whicker's disciple on earth does it again, superbly. 'Me long time No Gatwick' but my next flight to Marrakesh is ex LGW. I admit to nerves about managing South T! but your video put me at ease; a hangover from age and nowadays being a pampered pet. If I need new trainers I know where to go!
I remember flying from Gatwick and seeing a security guy being an absolute legend with a little boy -- they both looked like they were having a great time and the parent seemed relieved.
Agree completely about Gatwick. I love the convenience of walking out of a choice of 'night before travel' hotels straight into the terminal buildings. Twilight check in for early flights can make travel day even simpler.
Gla is my local airport and I have to fly to London airports to get anywhere else. I used LGW as a tier point run. It used to be much cheaper than LHR or LCY and there also used to be three flights a day. Sadly this is no longer the case and prices shot up and only one flight a day now. Having been unfortunate to miss that one flight when arriving inbound from the Carribean late, this means either staying a night at LGW or getting the bus to LHR if BA can find you a seat. Thanks for the tip about turning left after security though, I've never seen that and have walked through Duty Free every time. Brilliant advice as always, thanks.
Thanks - those people from Tampa who missed this flight could still be there.... Odd that they don't have connecting flights to NCL or MAN - you'd think there'd be a market for those too! And it was a really expensive flight to buy for cash...
Great advice re. Costing of Avios flights. I’m in Inverness and we have to head to London before going pretty much anywhere. Sometimes we don’t have a choice on exactly when we fly and the prices can be very high. That’s when I “deploy the Avios” and can regularly get 3-4 pence per Avios as a saving against the cash fare that we would otherwise have to pay. I save my Avios mostly for that purpose. Never quite understood the “1 pence per Avios” benchmark, although I guess that’s basically what you pay to get them? Haste ye back to Scotland!🏴
Thanks - 1p as a rule of thumb has the great advantage of making it super easy to value a redemption - 10,000 points = £100... Even if that shouldn't perhaps be the target you set for achieving value - I'm north of 3p on average... And I get mine for 0.22p each on average (there is a video explaining this!!!). No plans to get back to Scotland but I think I need some!!!!
Great video Matt. As a lowly silver card holder it was interesting to see what is on offer in the First lounge at LGW. I've used the Club lounge there twice in the last year, before a morning flight to Malta last September and an afternoon flight to Seville in November. The morning visit was absolutely rammed with people and I was lucky to be able to get a seat. The afternoon visit was much quieter due to fewer flights departing in the afternoon and the time of year.
Nice to see a BA trip from Gatwick in your repetoire. Very timely for me as I'll be flying BA out of Gatwick in September. Once upon a time (I am thinking in the 2002-2006 timeframe) some US airlines were pursuing Gatwick flights. Then, they all just stopped. Coming from the north, I'll be doing the Kings Cross-Victoria-Gatwick Express shuffle. Everytime I have ever had the need to use Thameslink in the past, its always seemed slow or delayed. In my case, its too bad there isnt a shuttle flight from LBA - but those sorts of routes stopped after the you-know-what.
Heathrow used to be so clogged that airlines would look to Gatwick - Virgin being an example. But for some reason it doesn't seem to be such a problem these days so there's been little overflow... Although I saw Singapore had to extend into Gatters as they couldn't get the slots in Heathrow... Interesting you feel that two change to the Gatwick Express from Kings X is better than no changes on the Thameslink...
As a Glasgow local, the one flight a day from LGW is so frustrating and I do wish they’d improve it, especially for connecting flights heading back from long haul destinations.
I try to fly Gatwick over Heathrow now purely because the car parking at Heathrow is now absolutely insanely priced. Works for me as I primarily travel to South East Asia and BA are now flying to Bangkok from Gatwick and Singapore Airlines are operating out of there too now.
Away from BA the Gatters lounges may not be brilliant but it is a comfortable airline to travel through.... Sweaty McTwix is a cracking name though....
I would say, yes as not so busy, at least for business class. I quite enjoyed the priority pass lounges there. Love Glasgow airport stayed at the hotel opposite on a tier point run in Jan this year 40 quid per night with a room upgrade and free drink. Mind you found security a little slower at gatwick
That was with the Fast track it was like Orlando airport , Fast track check, trusted traveler check, Clear only for USA card holders, Delta lounge lineup, twenty minutes to get in…. Nightmare.
I love the little First Lounge at Gatters - always head for my favourite spot overlooking the apron & runway. Unless someone is playing something or loudly taking a call on their ‘phone, it’s a blissful oasis away from the rest of the airport.
Did my first Club World flight (EVER!) to Punta Cana from Gatwick in May. Granted, it was the old 'yin/yang' seats (updated version) - but when you have flown Cattle class your whole life, it doesn't really bother you too much! The lounge at Gatwick was amazing, we were really happy with the experience and the service we received there.
As usual, thanks for sharing your insights. In particular in this case, Gatwick is overlooked a lot (most videos seem to be Heathrow) so this is extra-welcome. I'll fly from wherever the best deals for my journey can be found and, for me, most of them seem to be Gatwick right now.
I've had a few comments that Gatters is incredibly tricky to get too if you don't live in the South East, especially as there's so few BA domestic flights there these days.... But it is a very pleasant option if you can get there easily
@@MattsPlanet Gatwick has an actual rail station embedded in it. Less frequent than the tube or Elizabeth Line (for Heathrow) but still, you're not looking for Dr. Livingstone (I presume?). It's true that the South East is treated far better than everywhere else though, London bias is real.
Depends on location. If you live near Heathrow then it’s not worth the time and extra travel costs of going to Gatwick to make up for the cheaper flight.
Great video as always! I have fond memories of LGW as a kid, scoffing McD's in the terminal amongst the faint whiff of kerosene in the air. Britannia and MyTravel were the carriers of choice back then, for little Jon! N.b. great little cameo of a Volvo S90 (or V90!) at the start of the vid, a wonderful car I used to own myself, and miss. All the best!
I aim to cater for plane and car enthusiasts!!! Gatters used to have all sorts of weird holiday airlines - and you're right - that smell of kerosene got everywhere!
Watching this from Mombasa, new destination for me on KQ. Inexperienced travelers🥵😂. Too true. Great video with your humour at it's best👍. Brought back many memories. Did that flight often back in the day when I was working for a very large UK bank👍. Keep up the good work mate🇿🇦😎
Thanks - since I went to Zanzibar, Mombassa's been right up my "to visit" list as I think it has a similar geography and climate... Hope you're having a good time
As a Londoner I always prefer flying from Gatwick. Thirty minutes on the train from London Bridge. It’s way way better than the worst airport in the southeast of England, Stanstead.
I flew out of Luton in June and used my dragon pass for the lounge, it was very pleasant. The lounge at Stanstead is horrid, might as well spend your £15 at Pret.
Hi Matt, Thank you so much for your content. I always look forward to your drop on Sunday 3pm. My initial reaction today was,....ah, BA related again.... don't get me wrong, your content output is my favourite on YT, subject wise, it feels BA, one world heavy at times!!! I believe that the wider the spectrum, the more audience you might reach. This is by no means criticism, rather the opposite, I want you to do super well on YT, and achieve the goals you set! As always, stay well, Thomas
Cheers Thomas! 2nd BA video in 3 weeks so I understand your comment! I am trying really hard to only fly BA if there's a new angle that I can make a video about - this one departing Gatwick felt like enough differentiation.... My next BA flight is actually an inaugural flight so again I hope that will add enough that the video won't feel repetitive.... BA videos do tend to do really well though! And there has been a OneWorld focus of late as my last few trips have been runs or redemptions on that airline.... A few Star Alliance trips coming up as I now have status secured for a year so can spread my wings!!! Thanks for the feedback and thanks for being so polite about it too!!!!
Thanks for this Matt, as usual, I really quite enjoyed it. Being a bit of a gin fiend I would point out that all the lounges had my favourite gin, the Tanqueray No 10. 🥴 A nice look into the pricing strategy you use as well worth remembering for the future. I am looking forward to the next instalment, and where it takes us.
Enjoyed this, Matt. Was in same 1st class lounge (albeit busier) and same flight LGW - GLA in early July, connecting from BA's seasonal YVR - LGW service. You're right - most pax were connecting to GLA from BA leisure longhauls. It's a shame BA cut back their GLA/EDI - LGW flights post - you know what down to just this flight, but I guess Easyjet can operate them more economically. It was a good alternative to LHR for me when I used to go to south London for work now and then - used to fly into LCY and out of LGW to get lounges in both directions.
Thanks - LCY is great but you do often fancy a cheeky champers at the end of a long work day before flying home.... For offices close to Victoria its a no-brainer!
Seeing that gatwick lounge reminded me i was there for an extended period when my flight earlier this year (JUST my flight) was delayed by two or three hours. Getting back to your flight, as a gold member, i cant see any reason to fly that route in business when you can get a better seat in economy. Do you agree? For me, flying to Europe in business, as a non privileged member (a mere bronze with BA and gold on American which unfortunately doesn't raise me up the BA level enough) the lounge was a godsend for my delayed flight.
Spot on - very little point in flying business on a short haul flight as you can get a better seat in economy, can eat in the lounge before you fly and (especially if its in the morning) you can drink in the lounge or not at all. Two exceptions - you're connecting to a long haul flight and business class comes with it, and if you need the tier points and the flight is good value. I only really do it myself these days if I want to make a video about the experience
Daddy Matt is a true lounge connoisseur! I've got a rather long "day trip" in Chicago coming up in a few days, starting with a Basic Economy ticket on United in the morning. However, they offered a £30.90 add-on to access United Club for the entire day. Which means I can visit all 4 of the United Club lounges at O'Hare Airport (all but the Polaris Lounge) all day, from when I arrive in the morning to when I go back to the airport for my departure that evening. I'd say thirty quid well spent for all-day all-you-can-eat dining several times at several lounges - and no status needed. I'll do a video on this, as Daddy Phil from Grey Gap Year wants to see the lounges. Now of course, I only did this because of this particular situation i.e. day trips or very long layovers at a United hub. Otherwise, not all the time.
That's great value and being able to access on arrival is a bonus... A mate of mine just visited Chicago on AA and ended up spending 4 hours in a lounge on arrival to get past the rush hour in town!
Great job Matt! I've been in the BA LGW club lounge once before and it was pretty pleasant to visit though nothing extravagant in my opinion. Pretty sure that BA used to fly First from Gatwick but I'm guessing that they stopped with the update to Club Suites? 🤷🏻♂️
No club suites at Gatwick unless a Heathrow based 777 is covering. Gatwick otherwise exclusively 3 class 777s old club seats. The final First cabins were available on the New York, Bermuda Barbados and Antigua... might have missed one...
Richard beat me to it! No Club Suites at LGW and no plan for suites there either - the old club dorm will be in play for the indefinite future. Occasionally BA backfills a plane that's in for service with a LHR airframe equipped with Club Suites but its rare and you need to be really lucky!!! And its a while since any flight from there had an F cabin
Good video Matt. I've been to the LGW first and club lounges and quite like both of them, though the wider buffet in the club lounge us probably better for me instead of having to wait for something from the table service.
As someone who has purchased a football shirt in JD Sports - The King of Trainers - in a post-security shopping centre, en route to Salou… I’m feeling a bit personally attacked 😂 Like most comments, I too have a fondness for LGW. The train connections are excellent making Gatlow a top choice.
No offence intended!!! Salou is a different proposition to Magaluf!!! It takes a while but the Thameslink does get you to Luton and Bedford quite easily
I can’t count how many times I’ve been through Gatwick. Didn’t involve points because I was flying Easyjet from Munich, but convenient for our go-to Premier Inn in East Croydon.
@@MattsPlanet I’m not that organised. I do know that LGW-YYZ-ORD is not worth the lower price! Toronto has to be the worst airport I have ever been to.
@@barbarawissinger Transiting YYZ next month actually so I'll see for myself! There's a pre-clearance app which makes the immigration process easier I believe
I vaguely remember visiting the plane spotting are at LGW about 20 years ago. I also went to the one at the old T2 at LHR. It's too bad more airports don't do this. Even if it's on the perimeter, like at DFW or GRR (saw a TH-cam broadcast from there, they have restrooms and food trucks)
Myrtle Avenue is the place to go at LHR - I was passing and had planned to stop and make a video but it was raining.... I fear that viewing points are rare these days as they create huge headaches when risk managers look at them....
Love Gatwick - almost an oxymoron 😂 (it's just too far for me i'm spoilt with 4 (or 5 if u consider Southend a London airport) other London airports closer to me)
Indeed - LGW has reasonable train connections but its always going to be tricky to get to if you don't live in the South East - and even then deep in the South East...
Flight is one of two domestics not operated by Gatwick Euroflyer on a W rotation. The airbus starts in Heathrow, overnights in Glasgow and operates the very early morning flight to Gatwick.. back to Glasgow (The flight you were on ) and back to Heathrow. Heathrow crew. City flyer offer a flight to Edinburgh from Gatwick on a sunday again on a W rotation... The Glasgow flight is my go to service but there being no PM flight back to LGW i have to use easyjet back to Gatwick.. or route via LCY / LHR. These are BA's only domestic flights to / from Gatwick and a far cry from the past CE often only has 3 rows.. most recently, there were 5 of us in CE but Y was packed with connecting passengers...
Thanks - I did look at the flight back to LGW but it left awfully early, considering I had a big night with my patrons in Glasgow!!! And one flight a week to EDI is virtually pointless - is it one of the LCY airframes repositioning???
@MattsPlanet yep it's a cityflyer 190 that flies to Edinburgh Saturday lunchtime flies down Sunday morning to Gatwick and then back to Edinburgh and returning to LCY after the curfew
Always do your homework. Just splurged some points on first class between Heathrow and dxb.. Just seen it's almost always serviced by the old 777-200 with the old first class product :(
Gatwick is a right pain to get to from North of the M25 so a flight connection in ought to make sense.... Although it would have to depart MAN super early to allow the connections to be made....
@@MattsPlanet Splendid idea. I would like to see the passangers in the first class lounge looking at me munching my appetizing plate full of ravenousness
Honestly, I wonder how many people buy a £10,000 handbag and a £500 shirt at the airport. The most I have ever got is a pair of small headphones as I dropped mine into a cup of coffee when I got off a train & a Swatch Watch (Back when Manchester T3 was the BA/American terminal, and the long corridor from Security to the Duty free was ANOTHER Retail area by a much smaller Security area & it had a really nice Swatch Shop (along with a Dixons and a Tie Rack.. Remember Tie Rack?)). I'd much rather be able to buy replacements for something I forgot, rather than see Ties that cost more than I would spend on a suit
Completely agree.... I was actually trying to remember the last time I ever wore a tie, much less when I last bought one!!! I think I was probably on a cruise....
I've preferred LGW over LHR, though I haven't been to the UK since 2009 so i may not recognize it. I'd love to try JetBlue's transatlantic flight and choose the Gatwick service. Do you have an opinion on the paid lounges? I believe No.1 has 3 different options. I don't have priority pass as i don't travel much, so would pay if it's worth it.
Cheers - its been a while since I was in a paid Gatters lounge and it was quite busy and moderately catered - better than general circulation but I'd hesitate if it was a big out of pocket expense. Been through the airport a couple of times early in the morning and judged that a lounge visit would not be worth it.
Fully agree with car parking charges being more acceptable at LGW. When flying to the Caribbean with a morning flight an overnight at the Gatwick Sofitel gets the holiday off to a great start with no traffic delay worries.
When I'm make a redemption booking I just price up what those flights would cost if I bought them for cash... I think that's the question you're asking?
Especially appreciated the Gatwick short cut - noted for next time! Any duty free bypass always works for me!
Cheers Steve - did you fly ex-LGW to St John's recently?
@@MattsPlanet Yeah, quite a relaxed pleasurable experience! Much prefer it to Heathrow for example.
Matt, great point on the duty free short cut! A review on BAEF from Gatwick would be very interesting too. All the best!
Thanks. I've not actually done a BAEF from LGW but I believe it would be indistinguishable from a BA City Flyer from LCY or BA mainline from LHR... All of which, in economy at least, make for fairly dull videos!!!
Great video Matt! I also prefer Gatwick to Heathrow, I used the club lounge and I did find that it was much more organised and clean, the same with the rest of the airport, I chose to fly out of Gatwick as I was traveling with a friend who needed wheelchair access and that was superb! They were very organised and from the minute we arrived until the time we flew was very well organised and customer service was excellent! Although she may have managed without a wheelchair as the airport is much smaller and not so much walking around the airport,
Hello!!!! That was quick! Gatwick is certainly nothing to be scared of
great video! My wife and I will be flying to BKK from Glasgow via Gatwick next year so this video is very handy! thank you!
Have a great trip!
Nice to see you cover a BA trip from Gatwick! I managed to do a LGW-GLA in October 2022 whilst I was OneWorld Sapphire and got to experience the London Gatwick lounge, I was quite impressed by it! Be nice to see a BA Lounge added to London City in the future even if its more basic.
Don't hold your breath on LCY lounge any time soon, sadly!
Thanks for this, Matt. In all honesty, I find Gatwick substantially better than Heathrow T3 these days. The only downside is that if you don't have Gold/Silver status, then you will find the Priority Pass lounges much more crowded.
Thanks - T3 with status does have the advantage of some nice lounges though!
Ah yes the left turn turn short cut is a great trick to know but a little crowded once you exit into the shopping zone. Haven’t used the first lounge yet with our new gold status always looked left with envy at the desks but seeing your video I’m well rather disappointed I don’t think it’s much better if at all than the club lounge which we always enjoy. Looking forward though to our first T5 gold status access later this year & the short walk straight into the lounge 🙂
I think the F lounge is ok at LGW - I gather I got lucky in this video as the club lounge can get quite busy first thing so being able to spread out in the F is nice to have... And the F wing at LHR is a delight!
Great video Matt. I am a big fan of a BA lounge, albeit my experience is not diverse and mainly limited to EDI and LHR. If I ever reach silver I will be doing a European lounge tour.
Thanks! Silver isn't too far away, especially if you can take advantage of the double tier point promotion.... Lounges await!
I'll be at LGW next month so interesting to see the lounge options. Looking forward to visiting First lounge for the first time. For domestic flights Economy Exit row seems a much better option than Club. Great video.
Thanks - Gatters is a nice airport! And that exit row is perfectly adequate for a short flight
Fully agree with car parking charges being more acceptable at LGW. When flying to the Caribbean with a morning flight an overnight at the Gatwick Sofitel gets the holiday off to a great start with no traffic delay worries.
Thanks - good point about the traffic.... I got stuck on the M25 for about 40 minutes on this trip - I wasn't expecting huge delays at 7am but you never can tell... I'd allowed plenty of time so was ok but an overnight prior does make it all much safer
Thanks for this! Usually fly from LHR but as the price of a CW ticket to Vancouver was £500 cheaper to go from LGW we’ll be heading to the lounge there in a couple of weeks 😁
Have a great trip!
Thank you Matt; Alan Whicker's disciple on earth does it again, superbly.
'Me long time No Gatwick' but my next flight to Marrakesh is ex LGW. I admit to nerves about managing South T! but your video put me at ease; a hangover from age and nowadays being a pampered pet.
If I need new trainers I know where to go!
Underpack trainers, Arsenal shirts and huge dangly earings and Gatters will have you sorted in no time!!!! It's a nice airport - enjoy Marrakesh!
I remember flying from Gatwick and seeing a security guy being an absolute legend with a little boy -- they both looked like they were having a great time and the parent seemed relieved.
That's great to hear - security can be scary... They should learn that lesson in Manchester!!!
Agree completely about Gatwick. I love the convenience of walking out of a choice of 'night before travel' hotels straight into the terminal buildings. Twilight check in for early flights can make travel day even simpler.
Thanks - don't think I've ever done a night at LGW as its so convenient to where I live but perhaps I should...
Yes I would agree. Stayed at LGW area night before for a 9am flight
Gla is my local airport and I have to fly to London airports to get anywhere else. I used LGW as a tier point run. It used to be much cheaper than LHR or LCY and there also used to be three flights a day. Sadly this is no longer the case and prices shot up and only one flight a day now. Having been unfortunate to miss that one flight when arriving inbound from the Carribean late, this means either staying a night at LGW or getting the bus to LHR if BA can find you a seat. Thanks for the tip about turning left after security though, I've never seen that and have walked through Duty Free every time. Brilliant advice as always, thanks.
Thanks - those people from Tampa who missed this flight could still be there.... Odd that they don't have connecting flights to NCL or MAN - you'd think there'd be a market for those too! And it was a really expensive flight to buy for cash...
Great advice re. Costing of Avios flights. I’m in Inverness and we have to head to London before going pretty much anywhere. Sometimes we don’t have a choice on exactly when we fly and the prices can be very high. That’s when I “deploy the Avios” and can regularly get 3-4 pence per Avios as a saving against the cash fare that we would otherwise have to pay. I save my Avios mostly for that purpose. Never quite understood the “1 pence per Avios” benchmark, although I guess that’s basically what you pay to get them? Haste ye back to Scotland!🏴
Thanks - 1p as a rule of thumb has the great advantage of making it super easy to value a redemption - 10,000 points = £100... Even if that shouldn't perhaps be the target you set for achieving value - I'm north of 3p on average... And I get mine for 0.22p each on average (there is a video explaining this!!!). No plans to get back to Scotland but I think I need some!!!!
Great video Matt. As a lowly silver card holder it was interesting to see what is on offer in the First lounge at LGW. I've used the Club lounge there twice in the last year, before a morning flight to Malta last September and an afternoon flight to Seville in November. The morning visit was absolutely rammed with people and I was lucky to be able to get a seat. The afternoon visit was much quieter due to fewer flights departing in the afternoon and the time of year.
Thanks - tempted to push for the gold card now you've seen the delights??? Perhaps not!!
Nice to see a BA trip from Gatwick in your repetoire. Very timely for me as I'll be flying BA out of Gatwick in September. Once upon a time (I am thinking in the 2002-2006 timeframe) some US airlines were pursuing Gatwick flights. Then, they all just stopped. Coming from the north, I'll be doing the Kings Cross-Victoria-Gatwick Express shuffle. Everytime I have ever had the need to use Thameslink in the past, its always seemed slow or delayed. In my case, its too bad there isnt a shuttle flight from LBA - but those sorts of routes stopped after the you-know-what.
Heathrow used to be so clogged that airlines would look to Gatwick - Virgin being an example. But for some reason it doesn't seem to be such a problem these days so there's been little overflow... Although I saw Singapore had to extend into Gatters as they couldn't get the slots in Heathrow... Interesting you feel that two change to the Gatwick Express from Kings X is better than no changes on the Thameslink...
As a Glasgow local, the one flight a day from LGW is so frustrating and I do wish they’d improve it, especially for connecting flights heading back from long haul destinations.
I feel sorry for those Tampa passengers who may still be waiting to get home!
The best crisps in the world are actually M&S’ Roast Beef and Onion!
My nearest M&S is a long way away these days but next time I'm passing one I'll be sure to check them out!
I try to fly Gatwick over Heathrow now purely because the car parking at Heathrow is now absolutely insanely priced. Works for me as I primarily travel to South East Asia and BA are now flying to Bangkok from Gatwick and Singapore Airlines are operating out of there too now.
Away from BA the Gatters lounges may not be brilliant but it is a comfortable airline to travel through.... Sweaty McTwix is a cracking name though....
I would say, yes as not so busy, at least for business class. I quite enjoyed the priority pass lounges there. Love Glasgow airport stayed at the hotel opposite on a tier point run in Jan this year 40 quid per night with a room upgrade and free drink. Mind you found security a little slower at gatwick
Thanks - security can be tough, but then you just pay the £8 and skip the line!
That was with the Fast track it was like Orlando airport , Fast track check, trusted traveler check, Clear only for USA card holders, Delta lounge lineup, twenty minutes to get in…. Nightmare.
Matt, good to see the glass of breakfast fizzy! Cheers mate 🥂
I only do it for my videos!!! Honest.....
I love the little First Lounge at Gatters - always head for my favourite spot overlooking the apron & runway.
Unless someone is playing something or loudly taking a call on their ‘phone, it’s a blissful oasis away from the rest of the airport.
Tranquil is a good word for it - even if someone tried to spoil it for the rest with a loud phone call....
Did my first Club World flight (EVER!) to Punta Cana from Gatwick in May. Granted, it was the old 'yin/yang' seats (updated version) - but when you have flown Cattle class your whole life, it doesn't really bother you too much!
The lounge at Gatwick was amazing, we were really happy with the experience and the service we received there.
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing that - a first club experience is something to be celebrated and I'm pleased it was enjoyable!
@@MattsPlanet Thanks Matt, I credit a lot of my Avios knowledge to you. Been an enjoyer of your channel for some time now! :)
As usual, thanks for sharing your insights. In particular in this case, Gatwick is overlooked a lot (most videos seem to be Heathrow) so this is extra-welcome. I'll fly from wherever the best deals for my journey can be found and, for me, most of them seem to be Gatwick right now.
I've had a few comments that Gatters is incredibly tricky to get too if you don't live in the South East, especially as there's so few BA domestic flights there these days.... But it is a very pleasant option if you can get there easily
@@MattsPlanet Gatwick has an actual rail station embedded in it. Less frequent than the tube or Elizabeth Line (for Heathrow) but still, you're not looking for Dr. Livingstone (I presume?). It's true that the South East is treated far better than everywhere else though, London bias is real.
Wish british airways was less london centric , as someone living near Manchester.
Depends on location. If you live near Heathrow then it’s not worth the time and extra travel costs of going to Gatwick to make up for the cheaper flight.
Perfect Timing. Will be in Gatwick. Next week for the first time. Thank you ✈️
I hope this has helped!
Thanks for the great info + video!
Thanks for the view + comment!
Great video as always! I have fond memories of LGW as a kid, scoffing McD's in the terminal amongst the faint whiff of kerosene in the air. Britannia and MyTravel were the carriers of choice back then, for little Jon! N.b. great little cameo of a Volvo S90 (or V90!) at the start of the vid, a wonderful car I used to own myself, and miss. All the best!
I aim to cater for plane and car enthusiasts!!! Gatters used to have all sorts of weird holiday airlines - and you're right - that smell of kerosene got everywhere!
Watching this from Mombasa, new destination for me on KQ. Inexperienced travelers🥵😂. Too true. Great video with your humour at it's best👍. Brought back many memories. Did that flight often back in the day when I was working for a very large UK bank👍. Keep up the good work mate🇿🇦😎
Thanks - since I went to Zanzibar, Mombassa's been right up my "to visit" list as I think it has a similar geography and climate... Hope you're having a good time
@@MattsPlanet Yes thanks. Working but I enjoy what I do👍. Mombasa is similar to Zanzibar, hot and humid just like you Brits enjoy it😂😂🌞.
@@peetbothma1500 We like it clammy!
Definitely agree T5 first is sub par when compared with Gatwick and also T3 is marginally better than T5 imho
Thanks - I think I'd agree - The F lounge at T3 is decent - a few years newer at least which I think helps
As a Londoner I always prefer flying from Gatwick. Thirty minutes on the train from London Bridge. It’s way way better than the worst airport in the southeast of England, Stanstead.
Gatwick beats Stanstead in every conceivable way! Except perhaps Ryanair exotic destinations....
I flew out of Luton in June and used my dragon pass for the lounge, it was very pleasant. The lounge at Stanstead is horrid, might as well spend your £15 at Pret.
Hi Matt,
Thank you so much for your content. I always look forward to your drop on Sunday 3pm. My initial reaction today was,....ah, BA related again.... don't get me wrong, your content output is my favourite on YT, subject wise, it feels BA, one world heavy at times!!! I believe that the wider the spectrum, the more audience you might reach. This is by no means criticism, rather the opposite, I want you to do super well on YT, and achieve the goals you set!
As always, stay well,
Thomas
Cheers Thomas! 2nd BA video in 3 weeks so I understand your comment! I am trying really hard to only fly BA if there's a new angle that I can make a video about - this one departing Gatwick felt like enough differentiation.... My next BA flight is actually an inaugural flight so again I hope that will add enough that the video won't feel repetitive.... BA videos do tend to do really well though! And there has been a OneWorld focus of late as my last few trips have been runs or redemptions on that airline.... A few Star Alliance trips coming up as I now have status secured for a year so can spread my wings!!! Thanks for the feedback and thanks for being so polite about it too!!!!
@@MattsPlanet as I said, I follow your journey, like, comment, and recommend to friends. As always, being kind and respectful is a given, cheers!
Think you should do a flight from Humberside Airport :)
There's a few regional airports that have been "recommended"... I think Luton needs to be done at some point....
Thanks for this Matt, as usual, I really quite enjoyed it. Being a bit of a gin fiend I would point out that all the lounges had my favourite gin, the Tanqueray No 10. 🥴 A nice look into the pricing strategy you use as well worth remembering for the future. I am looking forward to the next instalment, and where it takes us.
Thanks Olly. As I was scripting this I did think I should include Tanqueray 10 as a premium brand....
Enjoyed this, Matt. Was in same 1st class lounge (albeit busier) and same flight LGW - GLA in early July, connecting from BA's seasonal YVR - LGW service. You're right - most pax were connecting to GLA from BA leisure longhauls. It's a shame BA cut back their GLA/EDI - LGW flights post - you know what down to just this flight, but I guess Easyjet can operate them more economically. It was a good alternative to LHR for me when I used to go to south London for work now and then - used to fly into LCY and out of LGW to get lounges in both directions.
Thanks - LCY is great but you do often fancy a cheeky champers at the end of a long work day before flying home.... For offices close to Victoria its a no-brainer!
How strange seeing myself in your video at 12:07!
I hope you don't mind!!! I probably should be blurring faces.... I think I saw you in the lounge too...
@@MattsPlanet don’t mind at all! Was just a funny surprise!
Seeing that gatwick lounge reminded me i was there for an extended period when my flight earlier this year (JUST my flight) was delayed by two or three hours.
Getting back to your flight, as a gold member, i cant see any reason to fly that route in business when you can get a better seat in economy. Do you agree?
For me, flying to Europe in business, as a non privileged member (a mere bronze with BA and gold on American which unfortunately doesn't raise me up the BA level enough) the lounge was a godsend for my delayed flight.
Spot on - very little point in flying business on a short haul flight as you can get a better seat in economy, can eat in the lounge before you fly and (especially if its in the morning) you can drink in the lounge or not at all. Two exceptions - you're connecting to a long haul flight and business class comes with it, and if you need the tier points and the flight is good value. I only really do it myself these days if I want to make a video about the experience
You're lucky you have moving walkways at Gatwick, they haven't worked in years at Manchester.
Indeed - they got a mention when I passed through MAN and made a video about the experience!
Daddy Matt is a true lounge connoisseur! I've got a rather long "day trip" in Chicago coming up in a few days, starting with a Basic Economy ticket on United in the morning. However, they offered a £30.90 add-on to access United Club for the entire day. Which means I can visit all 4 of the United Club lounges at O'Hare Airport (all but the Polaris Lounge) all day, from when I arrive in the morning to when I go back to the airport for my departure that evening. I'd say thirty quid well spent for all-day all-you-can-eat dining several times at several lounges - and no status needed. I'll do a video on this, as Daddy Phil from Grey Gap Year wants to see the lounges. Now of course, I only did this because of this particular situation i.e. day trips or very long layovers at a United hub. Otherwise, not all the time.
That's great value and being able to access on arrival is a bonus... A mate of mine just visited Chicago on AA and ended up spending 4 hours in a lounge on arrival to get past the rush hour in town!
@@MattsPlanet Video's up!
Great job Matt! I've been in the BA LGW club lounge once before and it was pretty pleasant to visit though nothing extravagant in my opinion. Pretty sure that BA used to fly First from Gatwick but I'm guessing that they stopped with the update to Club Suites? 🤷🏻♂️
No club suites at Gatwick unless a Heathrow based 777 is covering. Gatwick otherwise exclusively 3 class 777s old club seats. The final First cabins were available on the New York, Bermuda Barbados and Antigua... might have missed one...
Richard beat me to it! No Club Suites at LGW and no plan for suites there either - the old club dorm will be in play for the indefinite future. Occasionally BA backfills a plane that's in for service with a LHR airframe equipped with Club Suites but its rare and you need to be really lucky!!! And its a while since any flight from there had an F cabin
Good video Matt. I've been to the LGW first and club lounges and quite like both of them, though the wider buffet in the club lounge us probably better for me instead of having to wait for something from the table service.
Spot on - if time is tight, the club lounge would trump the First. That poached egg was quite good though!!!
@@MattsPlanet will give it a try next time I'm there, if time permits.
As someone who has purchased a football shirt in JD Sports - The King of Trainers - in a post-security shopping centre, en route to Salou… I’m feeling a bit personally attacked 😂
Like most comments, I too have a fondness for LGW. The train connections are excellent making Gatlow a top choice.
No offence intended!!! Salou is a different proposition to Magaluf!!! It takes a while but the Thameslink does get you to Luton and Bedford quite easily
I can’t count how many times I’ve been through Gatwick. Didn’t involve points because I was flying Easyjet from Munich, but convenient for our go-to Premier Inn in East Croydon.
You need a spreadsheet to track your flights, then you'd be able to count!!! 67 Gatwick departures for me!!!
@@MattsPlanet I’m not that organised. I do know that LGW-YYZ-ORD is not worth the lower price! Toronto has to be the worst airport I have ever been to.
@@barbarawissinger Transiting YYZ next month actually so I'll see for myself! There's a pre-clearance app which makes the immigration process easier I believe
Flying from GLA the BA lounge must be up there as one of the best regional BA lounge offers.
I was only there briefly but did enjoy it... Belfast next!
@@MattsPlanet BA sold its BHD lounge to Aspire who have created a huge brand new space. I think you'll be very impressed.
I have never been in an airport lounge
With many, you're not missing out!!! Some are quite nice though....
I vaguely remember visiting the plane spotting are at LGW about 20 years ago. I also went to the one at the old T2 at LHR. It's too bad more airports don't do this. Even if it's on the perimeter, like at DFW or GRR (saw a TH-cam broadcast from there, they have restrooms and food trucks)
Myrtle Avenue is the place to go at LHR - I was passing and had planned to stop and make a video but it was raining.... I fear that viewing points are rare these days as they create huge headaches when risk managers look at them....
@@MattsPlanet I'd imagine the security concerns and valuable real estate would be main issues why viewing areas are more prevalent
Love Gatwick - almost an oxymoron 😂 (it's just too far for me i'm spoilt with 4 (or 5 if u consider Southend a London airport) other London airports closer to me)
Indeed - LGW has reasonable train connections but its always going to be tricky to get to if you don't live in the South East - and even then deep in the South East...
Flight is one of two domestics not operated by Gatwick Euroflyer on a W rotation. The airbus starts in Heathrow, overnights in Glasgow and operates the very early morning flight to Gatwick.. back to Glasgow (The flight you were on ) and back to Heathrow. Heathrow crew.
City flyer offer a flight to Edinburgh from Gatwick on a sunday again on a W rotation...
The Glasgow flight is my go to service but there being no PM flight back to LGW i have to use easyjet back to Gatwick.. or route via LCY / LHR. These are BA's only domestic flights to / from Gatwick and a far cry from the past
CE often only has 3 rows.. most recently, there were 5 of us in CE but Y was packed with connecting passengers...
Thanks - I did look at the flight back to LGW but it left awfully early, considering I had a big night with my patrons in Glasgow!!! And one flight a week to EDI is virtually pointless - is it one of the LCY airframes repositioning???
@MattsPlanet yep it's a cityflyer 190 that flies to Edinburgh Saturday lunchtime flies down Sunday morning to Gatwick and then back to Edinburgh and returning to LCY after the curfew
Always do your homework. Just splurged some points on first class between Heathrow and dxb.. Just seen it's almost always serviced by the old 777-200 with the old first class product :(
The old F cabin isn't as massive a step down as the old club cabin is - and the soft product is the same. It should still be a very good experience.
@@MattsPlanet well thank you for that reassurance! Probably shouldn't be moaning about a first class flight anyway :)
Used to like it when BA (and DAN Air previously) did MAN - LGW great for the south coast, but obviously not viable
Gatwick is a right pain to get to from North of the M25 so a flight connection in ought to make sense.... Although it would have to depart MAN super early to allow the connections to be made....
@@MattsPlanet yes I seem to remember 06:45 departure and there were several flights per day long time ago now!
Could you please show how you pour Baileys over corn flakes
Not something I'd ever do.... But it you wanted to I think it would be quite simple!!!!
@@MattsPlanet Splendid idea. I would like to see the passangers in the first class lounge looking at me munching my appetizing plate full of ravenousness
I forgot to comment so I did now hey
Thanks! Every comment helps!
So personally as gold, prefer first lounge at LHR but the LGW BIZ lounge is way better.
Cheers Paul... I fell in love with a slice of Victoria Sponge I had in the LGW F lounge a while back - it may still be biasing my opinion!!!
Honestly, I wonder how many people buy a £10,000 handbag and a £500 shirt at the airport. The most I have ever got is a pair of small headphones as I dropped mine into a cup of coffee when I got off a train & a Swatch Watch (Back when Manchester T3 was the BA/American terminal, and the long corridor from Security to the Duty free was ANOTHER Retail area by a much smaller Security area & it had a really nice Swatch Shop (along with a Dixons and a Tie Rack.. Remember Tie Rack?)). I'd much rather be able to buy replacements for something I forgot, rather than see Ties that cost more than I would spend on a suit
Completely agree.... I was actually trying to remember the last time I ever wore a tie, much less when I last bought one!!! I think I was probably on a cruise....
I've preferred LGW over LHR, though I haven't been to the UK since 2009 so i may not recognize it. I'd love to try JetBlue's transatlantic flight and choose the Gatwick service. Do you have an opinion on the paid lounges? I believe No.1 has 3 different options. I don't have priority pass as i don't travel much, so would pay if it's worth it.
Cheers - its been a while since I was in a paid Gatters lounge and it was quite busy and moderately catered - better than general circulation but I'd hesitate if it was a big out of pocket expense. Been through the airport a couple of times early in the morning and judged that a lounge visit would not be worth it.
Fully agree with car parking charges being more acceptable at LGW. When flying to the Caribbean with a morning flight an overnight at the Gatwick Sofitel gets the holiday off to a great start with no traffic delay worries.
is that GLA_Fly in the middle of the shot on the left side of the table at 17:46?
It is indeed - very well spotted!
Cornflakes with Baileys? Probably worth giving the crunchy nut variety a try?!
I'll pass on that one.... But let me know!!!!
How do you work out the prices for each fare to avios
When I'm make a redemption booking I just price up what those flights would cost if I bought them for cash... I think that's the question you're asking?
Or the formula within excel 🤷🏼♂️