Airport Lounges at London Gatwick: Comparison & Prices Before You Fly
Compare lounges, avoid crowds, and start your trip properly.
If you’re flying out of London Gatwick airport and thinking, “Is splashing out on a lounge actually worth it?” You’ve got a valid question. London Gatwick airport has more lounges than most UK airports, and they’re not created equal. Some are low cost, chilled and family-friendly, and others are more expensive, premium and child-free. Most of the lounges at Gatwick airport are basically a paid escape room from the public terminal.
This guide compares every public lounge in Gatwick North & South Terminal, covering prices, kid-friendliness, food, memberships, frequent flyer perks, and whether business/first tickets get you in.
Please note some of these images were generated by AI for illustrative purposes.
The lounges we will be highlighting in depth will include:
✔ North & South Terminal options
✔ Free drinks & food
✔ Quiet seating
✔ Pay-as-you-go access
For mobile use swipe to the right for more information
HOW TO BOOK AIRPORT LOUNGE PASS
Step 1: Choose the country you would like to book your lounge.
Step 2: Select which airport your travelling to.
Step 3: Then select the terminal and which lounge you’ll like to unwind in, and tap search. You can then proceed with your purchase.
For mobile users swipe to the right to see more steps
BOOK A LOUNGE IF
You arrive 2 to 3 hours early
You want seating, food, and calm
You’re travelling with kids or long haul
You hate fighting for plug sockets
SKIP IT IF:
You’re only there 45 to 60 minutes
You don’t care about food or comfort
If you’re already spending money at the airport, the lounge usually wins.
Want to choose the right Gatwick Airport lounge every time?
Get the Airport Lounge Playbook. Lounge comparisons, family tips, and money-saving advice in one place.
ALL GATWICK AIRPORT LOUNGES (BY TRAVEL STYLE)
My Lounge: Gatwick & South Terminal
- Price: Starts from £34 to £40 per person
- Kids: Yes
- Food: Self Serve Buffet snacks, pizzas, DIY pancakes
- Access: Pay-as-you-go (pre-book)
- Included with Business/First? Rarely
- Vibe: Casual, comfy, perfect for families and people who don’t want too many rules.
Best for:
Families, budget travellers, short-haul flights
The best value family lounge at Gatwick. Not luxury, but calm and comfortable.
No1 Lounge: Gatwick North & South Terminal
- Price: Starts from £42 per person
- Kids: Yes
- Food: Buffet style
- Access: Pay-as-you-go (best to pre-book)
- Included with Business/First? Some airlines
- Vibe: Stylish, grown-up, good cocktails, sometimes busy.
Best for:
Families with older kids, couples
A step up in comfort without premium prices.
Aspire Lounge: Gatwick South Terminal - Premium Security Option
- Price: Starts from £38 per person
- Kids: Yes
Food: Hot & cold buffet - Access: Pay-as-you-go, Dragon Pass (pre-book)
- Included with Business/First? Some airlines
- Vibe: Strong all-rounder. Good food, decent seating, optional fast track security.
Best for:
Solo travellers, couples, business flyers
Peace without pretence. A reliable crowd dodger.
Plaza Premium Lounge: Gatwick North Terminal
- Price: Starts from £45 per person. Extended stay options for additions £74 per person
- Kids: Yes (has a kids play area)
- Food: Buffet menu
Access: Pay-as-you-go - Included with Business/First? Selected airlines
Vibe: Modern, calm, consistently good food.
Best for:
Long-haul travellers, premium feel seekers
Better food, better space, better experience.
Clubrooms: Gatwick North & South Terminal
Price: Starts from £46 per person
Kids: From age 12+
Food: A la carte
Access: Pay-as-you-go only
Frequent Flyer Perks: None
Included with Business/First? No
Vibe: Luxury, quiet, adults-only. It’s basically a mini fine-dining restaurant disguised as a lounge.
Best for:
Long-haul travellers, premium feel seekers
Better food, better space, better experience.
For mobile users swipe left for more lounge options
If you are travelling through multiple UK airports during your trip, food planning can make a huge difference to stress levels. Families flying from Heathrow may also find our guide to the best places to eat at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 with kids helpful before travelling.
PAY-AS-YOU-GO VS MEMBERSHIP ACCESS
Most Gatwick Airport lounges accept:
Pay-as-you-go bookings (My Lounge, No1, Aspire, Plaza Premium, Clubrooms)
Priority Pass (My Lounge, No1, Aspire)
DragonPass (No1, Plaza Premium)
Amex Platinum (Plaza Premium only)
Clubrooms never accept lounge passes. They prefer exclusivity, and your full-price booking. Double check access information by contacting the lounge you would like to visit.
ARE GATWICK AIRPORT LOUNGES INCLUDED WITH BUSINESS OR FIRST CLASS TICKETS?
Yes. Some, such as:
Many airlines use No1 Lounge (North or South) for Business Class passengers.
Others use Plaza Premium.
Budget airlines almost never include lounge access.
No airline includes Clubrooms or My Lounge.
Always check your airline booking. It will tell you which lounge you are able to get (if any).
MEMBERSHIP-ONLY AIRLINE LOUNGES AT GATWICK (NO PAY-AS-YOU-GO)
These Airport lounges at Gatwick cannot be booked directly by the public. They are reserved for:
Business Class
First Class
Frequent flyer elite members
Airline alliance status holders
Check out the membership lounges that exist:
Emirates Lounge (Gatwick North Terminal)
Access:
Emirates First & Business
Emirates Skywards Gold/Platinum
Pay-as-you-go: No
A premium buffet, champagne, and spas, with traditional Emirates luxury.
British Airways Lounge (Gatwick North Terminal)
Access:
BA Club Europe
BA Executive Club Silver/Gold
Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald
Pay-as-you-go: No
Classic BA lounge: buffet food, bar, workspaces, quieter atmosphere.
Qatar Airways Premium Lounge (Gatwick South Terminal)
Access:
Qatar Business Class
Privilege Club Gold/Platinum
Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald
Pay-as-you-go: No
High end à la carte dining and elegant design.
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QUICK REFERENCE TABLE
| Lounge | Terminal | Access Type | Pay-As-You-Go? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates Lounge | North | Emirates premium & status | ❌ |
| British Airways Lounge | North | BA premium & Oneworld status | ❌ |
| Qatar Airways Lounge | South | Qatar premium & Oneworld status | ❌ |
WHICH GATWICK AIRPORT LOUNGE IS BEST FOR YOU?
Best for Couples / Adults: Clubrooms (North or South)
Best for Families: My Lounge (North or South)
Best Food: Plaza Premium (North)
Best Value: Club Aspire (South)
Best for Long Layovers: Plaza Premium Extended Stay
Best Business-Class Alternative: No1 Lounge
Are Airport Lounges Worth Paying For? Our Airport Lounge Pass Cheat Sheet helps families quickly compare:
- Priority Pass
- DragonPass
- Airline lounges
- Pay-per-use lounges
- Family entry rules
- Lounge food expectations
- UK airport lounge tips
HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
Popular routes where a lounge makes sense:
Location: Dubai
Long-haul comfort matters
Location: USA
Travelling with kids, Orlando is great for familes
Location: Europe
Typically book a lounge if travelling to Barcelona, they have busy airport gates, or Lisbon as they have early flights or Malaga, which is super popular which means heavy crowds.
For mobile users scroll to see more
Reduce Airport Stress Before You Travel: Flying with children can quickly become overwhelming between security queues, expensive snacks, delays, and tired kids. Our Family Airport Survival Planner helps parents stay organised before travel
FAQ's
Can you smoke in My lounge Gatwick Airport?
Smoking is allowed in Gatwick Airport My Lounge. They have an outside terrace where smoking is permitted.
What are Gatwick airport lounges opening times?
Gatwick Airport Lounges opening times do vary. Check them out below:
My Lounge North Terminal Opening times 5am to 4pm
My Lounge South Terminal: Opening times 4am to 8pm
No 1 Lounge South Terminal: Opening times 4am to 9pm
No 1 Lounge North Terminal: opening times 4am to 8pm
Club Aspire Lounge South Terminal: Opening times 6:30am to 1:30pm
Plaza Premium North Terminal: Opening times 4am to 8pm
Clubrooms South Terminal: Opening times 6am to 8pm
Clubrooms North Terminal: 6am to 3:30pm
Do check timings at the lounges with Gatwick Airport in case of any changes.
Are drinks free in No1 Lounge Gatwick Airport?
Yes drinks such as juice, water alcoholic beverages are currently free in No1 Lounge Gatwick Airport.
How much are Airport lounges at Gatwick Airport?
Airport Lounges in Gatwick Airport start from £40 for adults and £21 for children.
Why are Airport Lounges Closed in Gatwick?
Airport Lounges in Gatwick Airport do not close. They just operate at specific hours. Please contact them to find out the up to date hours of operation for the lounge you require.
Do Gatwick Airports offer discount?
Yes they do, websites such as purple parking can help with this.
FINAL WORD: SHOULD YOU BUY A AIRPORT LOUNGE AT GATWICK?
If you value peace, real seating, free drinks, and not fighting for a plug socket, the answer is yes.
If you’re only there for 60 to 90 minutes or don’t care about food or comfort, go cheaper, My Lounge or Aspire will do the job.
Lounges elevate your airport experience massively, but only if you pick the right one for your travel style.
If we’re not having fun then we aren’t doing something right!
So True 🙂
Thank you!