My daughter and I are flying NWA from Detroit to London Gatwick arriving about 10:00 am. We need to proceed through customs and then get back to the departure check-in area to take a Ryan Air flight to Dublin leaving at 2:00. We're not checking bags going into London and plan on checking one going to Dublin because of their funky rules on luggage. Does anyone see a problem with our plan I can fix now? Is there a place at Gatwick to store luggage? Does my shoulder bag count as my one carry on? If a woman's bag was her one carry one, what would ever go in the overhead compartment? That last one's rhetorical... mostly...
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1529 posts
Christine,
You should be fine. Gatwick is much smaller than Heathrow. I can't imagine that you would not be able to do this in 4 hours.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I agree, Gatwick is small and you should have no problems. Why do you wish to store luggage at Gatwick? And yes, for Ryanair, your shoulder bag counts as your one carryon. As for your mostly rhetorical question, some people put their carryon in the bins instead of under the seat. Or they take off coats that they were wearing onto the plane.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I understand why you want to leave luggage. You are bringing more than Ryanair will let you carry. Last time I was at Gatwick there was storage on site. Customs was extremely fast, unlike Heathrow, so I think you have left more than enough time to get something to eat before your flight to Dublin.
Ireland is on Euros but Britain is still on the pound (unless I missed the change), so probably wait until Dublin airport to get your Euros. It sounds like you will spend some time in England, you can either buy food at Gatwick with your credit card or get some pounds and use them when you get back.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
There are left luggage facilities at both terminals, but I don't see why you would need to use them. Just check in right after you arrive.
Posted by
OP
Holt, MI, USA
22 posts
What a relief! You're right, I can take more on NWA than I'll be able to take on Ryanair. I "pre-purchased" one checked bag and figure I'll put our Ireland stuff in that bag and then leave our "London" bag at the airport till we get back. Thanks for your help!