For flight to US is there any reason to chose one airport over the other?
Looking at flights for next Spring and one choice is a flight out of LHR and the other is a departure from LGW. The LGW flight is a bit cheaper but is an 18 hour journey vs. 17 hours for the bit more expensive LHR flight.
Would appreciate thoughts from those who have experienced both airports
Thank you
Not much difference, just choose the cheapest and most convenient flight.
Both are easy to get to by train from Central London.
Heathrow by Express train from Paddington station, or by tube on the Piccadilly line. Remeber there are different stations for the different terminals.
Gatwick by Express train from Victoria station, plus local stopping trains from some other stations.
Also consider London Stansted airport (STN).
If flying to Europen destinations you also have Luton (LTN) and London City (LCY)
If they are both direct flights then Gatwick would be my choice. Cheaper, much less crowded, and it only cost you an hour more.
Having flown into and out of both, my personal preference is LGW. For myself I find it a bit less chaotic and easier to navigate. I would go with whatever flight gave me the best fare and times but if all else is equal, I would go with LGW. Took the express train to London Victoria train station that was very close to our hotel. Only problem was on the way back to fly home, the Gatwick Express was not running due to work on the tracks, so we used Uber and it worked out even better for us with 3 of us and bags from over shopping!
We flew in and out of LGW 4 times this summer., twice international, twice intra-Europe, both N and S terminals. We had OK meals for airport food. You need to wait until your gate is posted on a board before you can go to the gate. They post the gate usually about 1/2 to 1 hour before departure. But plenty to see, shop, dine in the meantime. We took the Gatwick Express train to Victoria Station then a cab to the hotel. We got the cheapest train tickets, group rate (3 of us) in advance on line, good for the day. We arrived in the S terminal, train leaves from the N so involved a shuttle. Signage not great but people helpful and guided us. Train clean, quick, runs often. We hired a car back to the airport, and with three people it was a wash compared to the train, but a lot less dragging of bags. This was very early on a weekend. The driver said other than that time, it's chancy as traffic can be very bad. So, if weekday, rush hour, peak traffic time on weekends, take public transportation whichever airport you choose. Have not been to LHR for years but fellow travelers don't seem to like it.
If you were traveling this summer, you would not have to worry about the British Airways cabin crew strike if flying out of Gatwick. But hopefully the strike will not continue into next year (or past mid-August if we had our wish).
Assuming this is a flight back to the US from London, not elsewhere in Europe. You absolutely want to avoid a connection that has you transfer from LHR to LGW. . . . Been there, done that, and will not do it again! But if London is your departure city then Gatwick will be fine.
Who has flights to SEA from Gatwick? Not BA.
Go with the cheaper airfares over airport this makes no difference but Heathrow is one the worse airports
Your best way is non-stop on Norwegian Air Shuttle into Gatwick--beginning 9/17/2017.
Gatwick also doesn't charge as high departure taxes as Heathrow charges to North America.
Gatwick would be my choice, in a heartbeat!
I have flown through LGW twice in the last year and it is much more manageable then Heathrow, which I have avoided for the last 10 years or more since 3 1/4 hours between flights there was almost not enough time.
"Gatwick also doesn't charge as high departure taxes as Heathrow charges to North America."
Depends what is being considered here. The UK doesn't have a 'departure tax' but there is Air Passenger Duty which is the same rate at any airport in England. The fees associated with the airport itself are less though, although in the end it is the price paid that is important not to whom I guess.
These days if anything Gatwick seems more crowded that some of the Heathrow terminals to me. Both airports have changed a lot over the years.
You haven't said what any of your other plans may be (where you are going to be the day before etc).
I was through both airports earlier this year. LGW felt a little more manageable. Distances walked seemed a little shorter vs LHR. But this could easily been due to my particular flights.
So I would take into account
Pick whatever is best for you.
My experience at LGW is old,old,old...so no contribution there.
BUT, looking at your travel times I'm guessing neither is a non-stop from London to Seattle on Delta or BA. Where you transit thru might be a bigger consideration than where you leave from. I avoid the eastern cities but will transit thru MSP, SLC or SEA.
Thank you all. Good to know there is no real downside to using LGW
I am in early planning stages of planning a trip for next Spring. Using FF miles for flight from London back to US. Will have arrived in London via Eurostar. Have not started planning on where to stay in London. Seems once I have flights selected, I will have to linclude airport access as a factor in choosing an area.
Lola- BA has no biz class available for the LHR-SEA flt. I have to change somewhere, whether its with BA or AA or KLM.
I have been to LHR only to change planes. The only London air I have breathed was what came out the a/c vents at LHR
Indeed, just pick whichever one is more convenient to where you want to stay in London (i.e. which area you're staying in, whether it has easier access to Heathrow or to Gatwick - Gatwick is easily accessed from Victoria area).
Farringdon where the tube and overground trains share the same tracks.
Nearly. Adjacent lines but different elevations which aren't shared.
