London Gatwick Airport

Rude immigration officer treated us like criminals we were staying in UK for 9 weeks holidays couldn't understand why we would want to stay in UK for 9 weeks couldn't understand that Australians get Long service Leave very disappointing first impression of England (the rest was great). We are in our sixties I still work full time which I had proof. We were very polite and didn't answer back and were treated rudely.

Gatwick airport itself is fine but Border Control at the airport is a joke. On the last two occasions I have arrived at Gatwick north terminal the wait at border control was in excess of 40 minutes. Some of the manned kiosks were unmanned and the automatic kiosks would not read the new passports. There was an automatic system in place called Iris that worked speedily and efficiently yet it was scrapped and no one seems to know why. I understand the need for border control but please men the area appropriately to stop the inconvenience.

Used the North terminal last month to fly to Vietnam and back by their National airline. The fast track security was a breeze and stress free! Not the very long trek to a far away stand. long walks several escalators then again kept walking it was like a an endurance test of fitness same again on return. Felt sorry for those who found it difficult but wouldn't complain!! Why can't they have a warning about distances involved and have some help or simply bus in the passengers to/from the plane. They want a second runway at Gatwick? This will make it even worse? I have a choice to use other airports and I'm going to use it!

We flew into Gatwick from Glasgow in order to fly to Thailand. Arriving from Glasgow all was straight forward deplaned and baggage collected in good time - no problems. Departing to Thailand our check in was around 9am from North Terminal. So the queues for our flight weren't too bad as most of the Thomson long hauls had already checked in / departed. Getting through Security took about 10-15 mins. Not ideal when your wife is heavily pregnant but it could have been much worse. Through to departures lounge and I have to say the North Terminal was starting to look well used and a bit tired. I've flown Gatwick several times and it's the first time I've felt the North Terminal needed some love. There are plenty of options for places to eat so you can waste some time that way. Our actual departure gate was absolutely freezing. You aren't there for long though but it wasn't good. Coming back from Thailand again deplaned fairly quickly. Immigration queues were pretty long but loads of staff on to get through. We would normally use the new automatic immigration kiosks but we could see they were very slow so just stuck with the human process. Flying back to Glasgow we had to check out of our hotel at 12 and didn't fly out until 4. Spending even more time in North Terminal Departures just confirmed that the terminal is very tired looking. There is a variety of options but if you just want to sit and wait it out it's not the most pleasant of places to do so now.

This is not so much a review as a warning to others who use the North terminal. I recently flew out to Gran Canaria and not for the first time was disappointed by the way myself and other passengers were treated as we negotiated security. Quite honestly we were treated like cattle I myself was spoken to extremely patronisingly and rudely. I do not wish to go into details but if possible I shall look for alternative departure points next time.

Arrived back from Dubai on an Emirates A380. This plane (biggest commercial aircraft) is put at the gate in the extension to North Terminal which is linked by a long bridge across the airport taxi-way. As far from the terminal as possible. Result-400 plus passengers have a 20 minute walk to get to immigration. What a contrast to Dubai airport in every way!

Not having flown out of or back into Gatwick for 22 years my review is with fresh eyes. Flying from N Terminal to Naples. Smooth experience plenty of space in departure hall. Could do with a shop or two more though. Everything is airside. Security had a large crowd but passengers were processed quickly. Short walk to gate for departure boarding a pleasant experience. So pleased with this airport that I will use it for future flights.

We arrived at LGW from DXB at 0645 it took less than half and hour to deplane and leave the airport 10 mins walk from the gate to immigration through immigration collect our luggage and leave the airport. Everyone we dealt with immigration and ground staff very helpful and polite. On the return trip our flight was at 13.35 again within 20 mins of airport arrival we were through check in security. Again all the people we interacted with were helpful and polite. Not a long walk to the gate overall much better organised the LHR the staff much more polite.

Flew out on December 1st returning on the 15th with Monarch Airlines. It was the first time I have had to take my mobility scooter abroad and was understandably a bit anxious. In the event every member of staff I came across from check in - assistance handling - security - movement to boarding gate and to plane were delightful. All extremely pleasant and calming and a credit to the airport. The experience on return was equally as good with happy and good humoured staff right through from plane to past arrivals area where my taxi driver was identified and told to follow the buggy to car park area. All absolutely brilliant and to be commended. Do not be afraid of seeking assistance - it makes the holiday experience start even earlier.

E-passport what a joke. Who designed it? Like about 50% plus of Easyget passengers I had a trolley bag. Not expecting an unmanned passport control I was a bit surprised by this 'innovation'. In the instructions I didn't see any mention of how to take your trolley bag through this contraption. So I just pulled it behind me. Imagine my surprise whilst standing there being processed two glass doors closed the space behind me by the glass doors coming in from right and left behind me at 90deg angle. So the handle of my trolley is in the gap but the trolley attached to it is blocked behind this glass barrier. What a joke. I couldn't go forward when given the green light. Fortunately someone in the queue behind me thinking out of the box and being very kind lifted my trolley over this glass obstruction so that I could move forward.