LGW airport Questions.

[kpfran]

Hi all,
As a first timer flying out of LGW with Virgin this Friday i wondered if you lovely people could help answer some of the following between you.I would be very grateful of the help,thankyou.

1. I am planning on Online Checkin - My virgin itinerary states last check in time 3 hrs before flight(8.15 for a 11.15 flight) Am i right in thinking that if i have booked in the day before online this time is then reduced to 1 hr?

2.After check in how soon before your flight can you go thru security into departures?

3.Is there food and hot drinks available in departures other than vending machines?(Travelling Economy)

4.Are there any viewing points for the kids to watch the planes after going thru security into departures?For that matter is there anything to keep the kids occupied in departures?(Game Boys will be on hand of course,but i might be playing on them )

5.As long as you have dropped your luggage off and got your boarding passes what is the latest you can go thru security to departures before they close the gate?

thankyou for all your help.I know the answers to the questions might seem obvious to some of you but please bear in mind i have not been in an airport for many,many years.

kevin.

 

[wilma-bride]

1. I am planning on Online Checkin - My virgin itinerary states last check in time 3 hrs before flight(8.15 for a 11.15 flight) Am i right in thinking that if i have booked in the day before online this time is then reduced to 1 hr?

Yes, you're right however there were huge queues at security when we went last month so I would still aim to arrive about 2 hours before.

2.After check in how soon before your flight can you go thru security into departures?

Straight away - as soon as you've dropped off your luggage, you can proceed straight through security to the departure lounge.

3.Is there food and hot drinks available in departures other than vending machines?(Travelling Economy)

Yes, there is McDonalds, lots of shops (WHSmith, Next, Currys, Duty Free etc.), Garfunkels, Yates Bar. There are plenty of places to get a drink or something to eat.

4.Are there any viewing points for the kids to watch the planes after going thru security into departures?For that matter is there anything to keep the kids occupied in departures?(Game Boys will be on hand of course,but i might be playing on them )

Yes, there is a viewing area. In departures, if you go up the escalator and round to the right, there is a sign for the viewing area.

5.As long as you have dropped your luggage off and got your boarding passes what is the latest you can go thru security to departures before they close the gate?

International flights are usually announced for boarding about an hour before the flight leaves so, therefore, I would make sure you're in the departure lounge AT LEAST an hour before you are due to leave.

Have a great holiday - I'm very, very jealous

 

[karentan]

in addition to the info on the previous post theres a bar/restaurant on the upstairs level in the far left corner (as youre coming through from security) that has very large windows that overlook the tarmac, so you can get food/drinks and see the planes

theres also a small arcade (on the upper level i think) so that should keep your kids occupied for a bit

and theres also some payphones/net access things that i think is about a pound per quarter of an hour on the net for any last minute tips/emails you may wish to send

to be honest once you get to the airport there isnt much to do in the public area (before you go through security), so once youve checked in your bags, chances are you'd head straight on through to the departures lounge. but keep an eye on the departures boards (theres loads of them), cos as someone whos been through gatwick a LOT i can tell you that its quite a trek to some of the departure gates (some are close but some are a good 15 to 20 minute walk, longer if youve got kids!). better to be safe than sorry, get there early, start your holiday off nice and relaxed, not hurried and stressed!!!

hope this helps.
have a great holiday.

 

[Goofyish]

Take a look at the Gatwick website for details of shops and restaurants both landside and airside:

Gatwick

 

[Dimplenose]

Just to reinforce a previous warning - the Virgin gates are a long walk from the main departure area where the restaurants are, so allow about 20 minutes after your meal to get to them.

Libby