Hi all,
In a month I'll be flying out of Gatwick Airport with Oasis Airlines, and I'm trying to figure out how much time I should give myself for check-in and getting through security and to the gate. I know that 2-3 hours are what the airports and airlines recommend, but I do have some questions.
1) Does getting through security at Gatwick really take that long? My flight is at 8:40 pm, so would that make a difference?
2) More importantly, I am told by Oasis that I have the option of checking in online, which I have never done before, and am not sure how it works once I get to the airport. Basically, does this allow me to arrive at the airport later, and still make my flight? Is there a separate desk for those who have checked in online, so this option really is faster? If yes, how much time should I allow? Or does it really not make a difference, and I should still arrive 2-3 hours before? Thanks a a lot.
Steve
2) When you check in online you choose your seat, print out your boarding pass and then when you get to the airport just drop your bags off at the airline's drop off luggage point.
1) Security doesn't, but when you merge it with the checking in process, 2 hrs is not remotely unrealistic.
2) What #1 said. If you do this, you should still allow the same time, just to be safe.
8.40pm should be ok and probably only 1 security thing open but its not likely to be busy as have passed the peak evening time. Should be 20 mins max to get through security at south terminal.
Sorry, but what Oasis calls 'checking in on line' actually means only that you select your seat.
When you get to the airport, you queue with everyone else. The only advantage is that it take the pressure off getting there particularly early, if you're a family wanting to sit together, or particularly want a wndow/aisle seat, etc.
That was the case when I travelled with them in April anyway. I doubt much has changed.
Everything takes hours and hours at Gatwick, and everywhere is really far apart. I'd be at least 2 hours early - I've been 2 hours early there before and just got through security in time for the flight.
Everything DOESN'T take hours at Gatwick South at 1930. The place is practically deserted. And the gate for the Oasis flight was practically next to the security machines tjhe other week.
Ignore what "the airport and airlines recommend". There's no such thing. London City lets you check in for international flights 15 minutes before takeoff: anything involving US-based airlines requires checkin a century or two in advance.
On the confirmation Oasis have emailed you there's be a specific time (section 10 in Conditions of Contract, in VERY small print) for when bag dropoff for this flight closes. Allow a bit of time to get to the front of the queue, and for delays in getting to the airport, but there's absolutely no need to be at Gatwick significantly earlier than closure time on the ticket. It took me ten minutes max last month from getting to checkin to being at the gate for this flight.
In my opinion London Gatwick is the worst of the london airports when it comes to getting through security, have been queing for over 1 hr 20 min there to catch a flight, in the end i had to jump the queue and run! This was around flight was at 19.10 so maybe it was rush hour. but have been thear at different times and find it sooo frustrating! good luck...Aramisa
trusted partner
