London Gatwick Airport

Gatwick is fairly well run apart from 2 ongoing issues. The first is an incredibly long trek to many gates in the north terminal's new extension. In the departure lounge is a sign saying all gates are no more than 10 minutes away - well this is absolute nonsense I am a fast walker and my gate took a good 20 minutes to reach! You have to go up a massive escalator along a lengthy walkway and then down again. If you were delayed en route to the airport you could easily miss a flight due to this. There was also a 30 minute wait for passport checks on return it was the first week in September and only 5 desks open which is clearly not acceptable for one of the peak periods when the schools return.

Its quite an efficient airport. The first time I landed at Gatwick I was travelling on an Emirates Airbus so there were a lot of passengers. However I got through immigration really quick compared to other airports around the world. The airport is quite clean and there are sufficient amount of services available to passengers. However there's no free Wi-Fi.

A day trip on business using the south terminal. As others have commented there has been a vast improvement and there are still some changes to be fully implemented. Parked in the short term car park which is still relatively expensive. BAA use to offer a reduced price at weekends from Friday to Sunday and I would like to see that re-introduced. The signs when entering the airport area particularly the filter to the right leading to the car park could be improved as well as signs to the number of entrances to the car park building itself. Easy walk to the terminal buildings which makes a good first impression from the outside. A short walk inside still looks a bit scruffy and then one needs to re-orientate oneself for check-ins or security etc. Security excellent both in time and friendliness and professionalism of the staff except they may need someone or a machine to stack the trays after they have gone through the x-ray machine as passengers are not doing it. The waiting area is still a bit crowded good choice of shops and places to eat on two levels not all of them high end but more high street just needs a Tesco Express or Sainsbury's. Television monitors well placed for information about flights. Long and strange walk to use the toilets. I am not sure if that is temporary while other building work is being carried out or going to be a permanent placement. Longish walk to the aircraft but not untypical of large airports nice views out over the airport and some electric walkways good lighting and flooring. On the way back minimal wait for passport control and staff at the border also friendly and professional. A vast improvement on what was there before I hope they maintain these standards and that when work is finished on the terminal it will be even more impressive. The only thing that is really missing is a second runway better here then at Heathrow.

Out and back from North Terminal with Emirates. Terminal was busy but there are now three security areas and some new eateries have opened upstairs. On return bags came out on two belts which speeded things up. The place has definitely improved since BAA moved out. In relation to what P Walker says below the schedules (and time keeping) are a matter for the airlines not the airport so I don't really understand what point he/she is trying to make.

Arriving from Tampa Florida connecting flight to Edinburgh - what a joke this service is. Unfortunately we have used this service for the past 8 years as there is no alternative. With no change or improvement the usual 4 hour wait between flights arrive at 7.30am connecting flight to Edinburgh 12.30 if there is a plane available. Ask for information usual response - waiting for plane to arrive from Edinburgh and still the same excuses.

I flew from IOM to TLS transiting through LGW South Terminal. Flight arrived on time - long wait for baggage to come through but I wasn't in a hurry and there was plenty of seating available (8am). Tried to check in for onward Easyjet flight but was told I was too early and to come back in 2 hours as 'there was nowhere for my bag to go'! Tried to find somewhere to sit - I must obviously have looked lost and fed up as every available space was taken because a member of staff on their way home asked if they could help. Very relieved when she pointed to seating upstairs outside security. Not especially clean but adequate and I had a book to while away the time. Once checked in security was a revelation - an area to pre-sort liquids and get them into (free) plastic bags then straight through with minimal waiting time. There are now monitors to tell you how long each queue is likely to take. Once through here it's downstairs to a walk-through tax free retail experience is large enough to keep passengers occupied. You emerge into the central zone where shops and food outlets surround you on all sides. There are now lots of comfortable recliner style seats and when I was there plenty were available even though the area was very busy. There is still a lot of building work going on but you know that when it's finished it will look good and aside from a long walk to the loos which were not particularly clean but were busy the overall impression was good. For those passengers requiring assistance there is a dedicated 'zone' where they can sit in relative peace with staff in attendance and monitors easily visible. Staff were helpful and courteous. Given that the Olympics are in full flow I thought that LGW coped with everything extremely well. I have to admit I was much more impressed than I thought I would be.

Big improvements in this airport over the last year. The whole place is looking much better and queues for security are regularly low (1-2 minutes). Most of the negative comments seem to be about Passport Control and that is often my experience. I often travel here on business and whilst the whole airport is pretty efficient it is let down by Passport Control which is run by the Home Office and over which the airport owners have no/limited control. It totally lets down what could be an excellent experience and is a disgrace to the UK.

Arrived to check in the day before our flight in the south terminal very quiet and quick. Building work still in progress but disruption was kept to a minimum. I found the location on the upper floor of the ladies toilets to be a long walk. The queue was large but given the amount of toilets available this is not surprising. The sink area lacked space to place any cosmetics handbags etc that we girls take on trips. I found the terminal to be very clean and tidy and a very good range of shops. I felt that there was not enough eateries although before check in there were a few good value cafes. On return our luggage arrived on time and in good order.

First thing that strikes me is the low ceiling. Why? Looks dated a bit 1980's perhaps. Transit area miles away from the quality of ZRH for example. Feels crowded (and it is). Design is out-dated not much to write home about. Queues at check in could be a disaster. If you only got hand luggage things may run surprisingly sweet and smooth. With only one runway they are prone to have delays. Happened a few times to me. Personnel helpful. However if you want to have a good airport experience this is not the place. This is cattle- style. In and out. Doesn't make you want to stay a second longer than needed. No real spotting area either which is a shame. Everything feels closed up no windows in good areas. Needs an upgrade and raise the roof up please.

Gatwick South Terminal's security area is excellent. Plenty of automatic barriers which scan your boarding pass and take a photograph of you at the same time. Once through there are plenty of search stations and scanners with lots of staff to ensure travellers know what to do and to stop queues building up at any one scanner. I was through the whole process in minutes and found the staff to be efficient and cheery. There is building work going on in the departure lounge at present so there is a bit of a shortage of seats. All in all though an easy checking and departure from this airport.