Review: British Airways First Lounge At London Gatwick

July 25, 2017

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British Airways moved into London Gatwick’s South Terminal back in January this year and this was my first chance to take a look at what the airline has done at its new Gatwick home.

If I’m traveling with just hand baggage (as I was on this occasion) I always check-in online so, although I took a look at BA’s new check-in area at Gatwick South……

British Airways Gatwick South Priority Check-in

…….I didn’t get to see how efficient BA’s new(ish) Gatwick South check-in agents are.

I followed the signs for departures up an escalator to the first level and, about 50 yards ahead were the entrances to security.

BA premium customers can use the Gatwick premium lanes and, surprisingly, it was clear and quick. Especially impressive considering this was a Monday morning.

To get to the British Airways (and other) lounges passengers need to turn left immediately after exiting the security lines….

British Airways Gatwick South

……and then follow the signs:

British Airways Gatwick South

The last stage of getting to the BA lounges involves taking an elevator up one level where you’ll find the entrance to the lounge.

British Airways Lounges Gatwick South

Once through the main entrance the Business Class lounge is to the right while the First Class lounge is to the left….but both lounges share a check-in desk.

British Airways Lounges Gatwick South

The British Airways First Lounge at Gatwick South isn’t particularly large but is a definite improvement over the old First Class lounge at Gatwick North.

As soon as you walk into the lounge you’re in the first (and main) seating area with a mixture of regular armchairs (no big sofa chairs as you’ll find in the Galleries First lounge at Heathrow T5), and a few high-back chairs too.

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

There are a reasonable number of power ports to be found in this area (usually to be found between seats) and USB ports too…..

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

….but unless you have a UK or EU style plug on your device (or can charge via a USB cable) you’ll need an adapter to charge up your electronics.

The lounge has floor-to-ceiling glass walls on two sides so, despite it being an overcast start to the day, the lounge was nice and light…..

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

…….and the fact that the lounge appears to be at the end of Gatwick’s primary runway will probably appeal to the Av Geeks among us.

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

The lounge has a medium-sized dining area with, in the middle, an instantly recognizable (as British Airways) bar……

British Airways Galleries First Lounge Gatwick South

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

…..with chilled white wines and champagne….

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

….and a selection of juices:

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

At one end of this dining area is a second bar with red wines……

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

….and various spirits and mixers:

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

While a the other end is a small but standard (for BA First Class lounges) buffet…..

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

…..with a selection of standard hot…….

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

….and cold breakfast items:

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

There isn’t that much seating in this dining area with just 4 tables which seat 2 people each and a further 2 high tables which would seat 3 each at a push.

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

There’s also a high bar with stools up against the window overlooking the airport apron (which is probably the best place to sit if you’re eating on your own):

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

The 4^th side of the dining area is primarily taken up by tea/coffee making facilities and, on my morning visit, a selection of pastries and cookies.

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

If the buffet choices aren’t to your liking the lounge also offers an a la carte menu from which guests are free to choose whatever takes their fancy (click to enlarge):

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

I decided to order the smoked salmon and scrambled egg to see what it would be like.

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

Service was prompt, cheery and polite but while the eggs were ok to taste they should have been served a lot hotter.

Further past the dining area is the last section of the lounge which BA is calling “The Study”. This is home to a further 4 sets of tables and chairs and a work area with printing facilities.

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

At each seat in the work area is a good array of power outlets….

British Airways First Lounge Gatwick South

…but, as with the main seating area, unless you have a UK or EU style plug on your device (or can charge via a USB cable) you’ll need an adapter to charge up your electronics.

Thoughts

This is a vast improvement over the First Class offering back in the old terminal but, as a First Class lounge, it lacks any kind of USP. There’s nothing here to wow a guest and that probably has a lot to do with how relatively unimportant Gatwick is to BA and how few First Class passengers travel through the airport.

In a lot of ways BA’s First Lounge at Gatwick South is a bit like the airline’s First Class cabins onboard – a solid Business Class offering.