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Transferring Icelandair to EasyJet at Gatwick on a Different Reservation - enough time?

Posted by on

My wife and I are traveling from Seattle to Gatwick on Icelandair, and then to Paris on EasyJet, on a Friday in early November. We are arriving at Gatwick around 10:45 AM and our EasyJet flight leaves at 1:55 PM (13:55). These are the steps as I understand it:

  1. Deplane Icelandair flight
  2. Proceed through Passport Control/Immigration (US passport holders) - time:??
  3. Pick up checked bag at Icelandair bag claim
  4. Proceed to EasyJet bag check (how far from bag claim?) and check hold bag.
  5. Go through Security and proceed to gate for EasyJet flight. I know we must go through Security at least 30mn before the departure of the Easyjet flight (1:25 PM).

I know both flights are in Gatwick's North Terminal, so at least we don't have to transfer. But I'm wondering two things:

  1. How long will it take to clear Passport Control/Immigration?
  2. How easy is it to get from the baggage claim to the Easyjet baggage/check-in station and then to security?
  3. How long does security for international departures take? Is there a passport control segment (leaving the UK)?

My wife and I are newlyweds and have never traveled internationally alone Any advice you have is appreciated!

Posted by
5687 posts

I'd guess plenty of time if inbound flight is on time. But I can't answer most of your questions. I did this exact thing (fly into Gatwick from US, out on easyJet to Prague a few hours later) twelve years ago, so my answers about times and procedures would be irrelevant today. But, I did it about as you describe. I was nervous enough about missing the easyJet flight that I didn't actually book it until I was at the gate in Detroit, about to board the flight to London! By then I figured we would probably arrive in London on time or at least not be that late.

By the way: you have to be AT THE GATE for your easyJet flight at least 30 minutes before departure. Read easyJet's conditions carefully; unlike some airlines, they are very strict about bag weight, etc. Check-in and print your easyJet boarding pass before you leave the US.

Posted by
4071 posts

Are you seeking advice BEFORE you buy the tickets or is it a done deal and you're looking for reassurance? I hope it's the former. Reassurance isn't worth the paper upon which it's written.

When I switch airlines in Europe to my final destination (and do this sometimes), I allow 4 hours because if you miss the 2nd flight, you have to buy a complete roundtrip ticket on that second airline because the return on that intraEuropean flight becomes null and void if you're a no-show on the outbound leg even if you have checked in to EasyJet online in advance (which of course you MUST do).

You allowed just 3 hours so if your inbound transatlantic flight is on time, hopefully you'll be ok. But the risk is the hope that the transatlantic flight will be ON TIME.

Posted by
4088 posts

Before you leave home, go through easyJet's check-in procedure on-line. It will cost you time and lots of extra money if you check in at the airport. And follow all the rules on that internet site. When it says one cabin bag, that's ONE, not one and a purse and a computer.

Posted by
11948 posts

As noted above, hopefully you are still shopping.

With the SEA-LGW on Icelandair requiring a stop at KEF, you have to have BOTH flights be on time.
I would give myself a bit more cushion.

Passport control and security are hard to predict. One day could be 15-20 minutes each and the next day 2-3 times as long.

Posted by
16411 posts

If you have not purchased your ticket, Icelandair flies from KEF to Paris. No need to change planes at Gatwick.

However, if that is not an option, then you might want to consider two options at Gatwick:

Premium Passport Control and Security--expedited passport control on arrival and security on departure.

Gatwick Connects--rather than lugging your bag back up to the check in desks, you can use the Gatwick Connect desk at baggage claim to check in for your next flight and drop your bag.

The last time I arrived at Gatwick, Passport control was a zoo. Security wasn't bad.

There is no exit passport control in the UK.

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