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Old Jan 20, 2013 | 7:19 pm
  #12  
KeaneJohn
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
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Originally Posted by layz
It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to travel from LGW ("Your London Airport" as the current branding goes), typical for me my flight is delayed longer than a similarly timed flight from Heathrow which I didn't expect considering the disruption.

A few things I noticed. Whoever's responsible for the railway station has decided to put ticket barriers in, I'm sure the operator of Gatwick had no say in this but it's a hassle when you have a lot of luggage and had already put your ticket away not expecting a barrier. (HEX wins here, Heathrow Connect has barrier at the Paddington end, Tube has barriers at both ends but at least there's Oyster).

Then you get to the luggage trolleys and have to hunt for £1 to release one, at least it's not like MAN and you get the money back, but it's nice to keep things simple and just grab a trolley (LHR wins here). Has this been a change under the new owners (I've never needed a trolley at LGW before)?

I thought no trolleys were allowed on the transit to the North Terminal, but no signs said otherwise and I took the trolley on without complaint.

Wanted to try the print your own bag tags at self service checkin, but the machine was refusing to check me in. No queues at the premium bag drop desks (LGW wins here, slightly, normally quick around a similar time in LHR).

Fast Track (Premium Gatwick) was quicker than its counterpart in LHR.

Lounges: the F lounge feels like I'm in a business class lounge of a regional airport. It's relaxing and peaceful, a bit like the London Room with better catering, but smaller. Couldn't see any hot food on the menu (LHR T5 wins on this one, the ex-bmi lounges in T1 would be on par with this if they offered better catering).
Interesting observation. My preference has always been LHR but last year I travelled LGW-MAN and was pleasantly surprised by the check in and security. I was aware of the train operating company installing barriers but was alarmed at the queue of people queuing to buy tickets at the machines and windows.

Security was quite pleasant and the lounge was OK. Am flying again from here on Thursday (snow permitting) and on a same day return to Nice next month and to Dubrovnik in Sept returning 2 weeks later. For the latter trips will make sure I have my return rail tickets in hand for arrival to avoid the queues.

It was the home to door times are just a tad shorter for me living in Stratford. Not the 35 mins bedroom to plane when using LCY but still a bit quicker than LHR>
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