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3.5hr stopover in Gatwick -chg airlines - should we just take carry-on?

any thoughts? - En route to other parts of Europe we are taking one air carrier to London Gatwick (fr Canada) then another to Amsterdam. Flight times have changed -now only 3.5 hrs (if on time). should we just try to do a carry on (UK only 5kg 11 lb. max - yikes) or will we have time to do baggage, immigrations, customs and back into security to the new gate (which we should be there 2 hrs before)? - thanks K

Posted by
14799 posts

This webpage may help....

Connecting at Gatwick

If that doesn't answer all of your questions, please let us know which airlines you'll be flying in and out of Gatwick. The check to make sure you can check your luggage through from Canada to Amsterdam. (Call your airline that takes you out of Canada.)If you can check your luggage through, then you don't have to go through immigration at Gatwick. You just transfer from one gate to another, unless you have to change terminals where you still transfer without going through immigration.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks Frank II - for your prompt reply.
the link you sent takes me to the Auschwitz album (?). We're flying from Canada to Gatwick on Air Transat (south terminal) and Gatwick to Amsterdam via EasyJet (same - south terminal) I didnt suspect we could check thru with 2 separate airlines involved. Its worth a check! ciao (see, off to italy after that - Easyjet as well) k

Posted by
14799 posts

I fixed the link...sorry.....school project I was helping my neighbor with....check with Air Transat to see if they will interline you luggage.If not, you'll have to go through immigration, get our luggage, and check it airside. But you should be okay with 3 1/2 hours since it's the same terminal.

Now, if your flight arriving is late.....you could have problems.

Posted by
9098 posts

Discount airlines (easyjet) don't handle luggage transfers from other airlines. So if you do check any baggage this means you will have to pass through immigration collect your bags, find the Easyjet check-in desks and check your bags again. So using just carryons will make life simpler. Also be aware if your flight from Canada is delayed and you miss the boarding time from your easyjet flight, your easyjet tickets are then worthless paper:( So understand you are taking a risk doing it this way.

Posted by
6 posts

Good info - thanks. I will repack (and wear layers!). It seems UK is the only area that the carry-on weight is so low.

New concern -IF I do so, stay in security area, - can I just go to the proper gate for the EasyJet flight? - It has been my (little) experience that you usually get the boarding pass OUTSIDE security at the initial arrivals desks. ??

Posted by
9098 posts

If you print out your easyjet boarding pass before you board your transatlantic flight, you will not have to exit the terminal and deal with the easyjet check-in desk.

Posted by
14799 posts

The UK has nothing to do with the low carry on weight. That's up to the individual airline. As an example, BA and BMI have either no or very lenient weight restrictions on carry on bags. Your airline of choice, Air Transat, is ridiculously low.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks to you both. I have printed Easyjet Eticket, and I did (just) find on Easyjet, that I can check-in online if just carry on. Also, sorry for my 'assumption' that it was a UK thing. Air transat have different weights for different areas - guess it is what it is. and all part of what makes designing your own vacation fun. Again thanks!