Gatwick airport lounges: how to choose between North and South
Gatwick airport lounges: how to choose between North and South

Gatwick airport lounges: how to choose between North and South

At Gatwick the first choice isn't between individual lounges but between North Terminal and South Terminal, since each has its own No1 Lounges offering plus a few independent or airline alternatives. From there the choice depends on the card you hold and what you actually need.
At the North Terminal the No1 Lounge remains the base for those with Priority Pass, LoungeKey or DragonPass, with longer evening hours on Saturdays. For early afternoon flights there is also the smaller My Lounge, with shorter hours than the other lounges in the same area, while the Clubrooms focus on table service and Fast Track Security included in the price. Those looking for a hot buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus a play area for little ones, will find the Plaza Premium Lounge. With four different lounges, the North is the terminal with the widest choice, but also the one where it's worth checking the hours carefully before booking.
Which lounge to choose
Lounge Where Hours Priority Pass Paid entry Showers
Clubrooms North 06:00-18:00 No £42 —
My Lounge North 05:00-16:00 No — —
No1 Lounge North 04:00-20:00 (until 22:00 on Saturdays) Yes £36 —
Plaza Premium Lounge North 04:00-20:00 No £35.43 —
Club Aspire Lounge South — Yes £28 —
Clubrooms South 06:00-21:00 No — —
My Lounge South 04:00-20:00 No £42 —
No1 Lounge South 04:00-21:00 Yes £36 —
Emirates Lounge North 06:05-14:35, 17:45-23:55 No Yes —
British Airways First & Club Lounge South 05:00-20:30 No — —
Independent North
Clubrooms

In the North Terminal, it offers table service and Fast Track Security included in the entry price.

Hours
06:00-18:00

Paid entry from £42 per person, table service included and free Fast Track Security with booking.

Independent North
My Lounge

After passport control, turning left towards the Lounge Pavilion.

It has shorter opening hours than the other North Terminal lounges, designed for early afternoon flights.

Hours
05:00-16:00

Entry allowed up to 3 hours before departure, with a maximum stay of 3 hours.

Independent North Priority Pass
No1 Lounge

After security control, lounge area.

On Saturdays it stays open two hours longer than on other evenings of the week, one of the few weekly schedule variations in the No1 group's programme at the North Terminal.

Hours
04:00-20:00 (until 22:00 on Saturdays)

Entry with Priority Pass, LoungeKey or DragonPass with a £10 supplement per person. Paid entry: £36 online, £40 at the door for adults, £20 for children aged 2-11, free under 2.

Independent North
Plaza Premium Lounge

Level 4 of the departures area, near gates 45-55 and 101-103.

It offers a hot international buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as a children's play area.

Hours
04:00-20:00

Paid entry: £35.43 for 3 hours, £58.45 for 6 hours.

  • Hot food
  • Bar
  • Children's area
Independent South Priority Pass
Club Aspire Lounge

After security control and passport control, level 1.

Recently refurbished, it has renovated its work areas and added a new menu of hot dishes at the bar.

Entry with Priority Pass, LoungeKey or Lounge Club (additional guests £15 each); without membership, a 3-hour booking costs £24.99 or £28 at the door.

  • Hot food
  • Bar
Independent South
Clubrooms

It is the South Terminal's most formal option, with an à la carte table menu instead of the self-service buffet of the other lounges, and it does not admit children under 12.

Hours
06:00-21:00

Table service with an à la carte menu, Fast Track Security included; champagne extra. Children under 12 not admitted.

Independent South
My Lounge

After security control.

It has a loft-style design with individual and shared seating areas, as well as direct access to the outdoor terrace.

Hours
04:00-20:00

Paid entry from £42 per person; soft and alcoholic drinks included, champagne and sparkling wine extra.

Independent South Priority Pass
No1 Lounge

After security control, lounge area.

Compared to its North Terminal twin, it stays open an hour later in the evening, until 21:00.

Hours
04:00-21:00

Entry with Priority Pass, LoungeKey or DragonPass with a £10 supplement per person. Paid entry: £36 online, £40 at the door for adults, £20 for children aged 2-11, free under 2.

Airline North
Emirates Lounge

After security control.

Its opening hours are split into two bands, timed to match Emirates' two blocks of departures to Dubai.

Hours
06:05-14:35, 17:45-23:55

Free entry for Emirates First and Business passengers; Skywards Blue or Silver members and those flying special Economy or Business fares can purchase access online. Entry allowed up to 4 hours before departure.

Airline South
British Airways First & Club Lounge

Upper mezzanine, departures area.

It is the only British Airways lounge at Gatwick and brings First and Club access together in a single space, unlike the separate lounges at Heathrow.

Hours
05:00-20:30

Reserved for Club/First passengers of British Airways and Iberia/Iberia Express and for oneworld Emerald or Club Gold holders.

Still in the North, the Emirates Lounge follows hours split into two bands, timed to match the airline's two blocks of departures to Dubai, and is reserved for First and Business passengers plus the highest-tier Skywards members, with others able to purchase entry online. It is therefore one of the few Gatwick lounges designed for a single group of flights rather than for anyone holding a lounge card. At the South Terminal, the twin No1 Lounge stays open an hour later in the evening than the North version, while this side's My Lounge goes for a loft-style design with direct access to an outdoor terrace, useful for those who want to step outside before their flight. The South's Clubrooms, on the other hand, are the terminal's most formal option, with an à la carte table menu and an entry policy not suited to those travelling with young children. Those who prefer a more work-oriented lounge will find Swissport's Club Aspire Lounge, recently refurbished in its work areas and hot bar menu, accessible with Priority Pass or LoungeKey. For those flying British Airways or Iberia in Club or First, finally, there is a single dedicated lounge bringing both access tiers together in one space, unlike at Heathrow where the airline's lounges are separate. The South Terminal thus ends up more compact than the North, but still covers the same main needs: a general-purpose card, a work-friendly environment and a more formal option for those who want to sit down and eat at a table.
The choice at Gatwick therefore comes down to a few questions: which terminal you're departing from, which card gets you in, and what you actually need, whether longer hours, a richer buffet, a quiet corner to work or an outdoor terrace. Those flying with Priority Pass or LoungeKey have a choice at both terminals, while Emirates and British Airways passengers find a lounge designed specifically for them, with no need to compare it to the others.
Gatwick lounges London Gatwick airport Priority Pass No1 Lounges Club Aspire

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