British Airways Business Class London Gatwick Lounge

The Brand New London Gatwick British Airways Business Class lounge is a revelation: a real delight in the mundane world of Gatwick. It is no surprise that it is big - bigger even that the lounge at London Heathrow - but it has plenty of features that aren't found in it's bigger cousin. It's on two levels, there is a great bar, there are various rooms to walk through, showers, decent food, even a children's playroom. There is also a mezzanine, with great views.

London Gatwick British Airways Business Class lounge review

Finding the British Airways lounges at Gatwick is however a right pain. Once you are through security, don't take the escalators taking you down, which take you to the duty free shop. Instead, stay on the same level, through the small hidden corridor with the small sign saying 'Lounges, wheelchairs only'. This takes you straight to the main departure level. Then on the far side, look for the small corridor in between two shops which goes to the No 1 Lounge, and the BA lounges. Wiggle down the corridor, take the lift and then along another corridor. Finally, you get to the BA Lounge complex, which has two reception desks as you enter. The First lounge is off to your left whilst the Business lounge is off to your right. Any British Airways Business Class lounge Gatwick Airport review notes that even though the lounges are brand new, BA has already moved away from the 'Galleries' branding. Entering the British Airways Gatwick Business Lounge, it initially seems small, with just a couple of rooms: some people just stop here, and it can be crowded. But keep on walking, and walking. You pass through another room, and then a long thin space, the business centre is on your right, then you loop under the balcony, and continue past the bar, and food area. To break up the space, BA has installed a huge wine wall about half way down, but this area can be almost deserted as it's very gloomy and has no natural light to speak of. There is a big white bench in front of this but sitting here means you feel like you are in a goldfish bowl. Keep on going, as finally the LGW BA lounge suddenly brightens up due to the fantastic floor to ceiling windows, and you get to the area with exceptional views over the tarmac from the left hand side (once you are half-way in) and the far end. This is the most crowded area, and seats near the windows are totally aspirational. Everyone congregates around here, where you can see all the flights leaving if you look all the way to the left, and see the single runway. Here, there is the children's playroom on the right, and the showers and bathrooms further beyond. Meanwhile up the stairs is the Mezzanine level. This is the most quiet area of the London Gatwick British Airways Business Lounge, as few people find it. Around the edges are very comfortable blue leather swivel chairs. There are an impressive variety of seats available: from single seats, to enclosed benches. Large sofas, and duos. The designers clearly learnt from the lounges at Heathrow, which had most of the seats in groups of four, which really didn't work for solo travellers. Mind you, at Gatwick, many of the travellers are family groups off on a package holiday. Beside virtually every seat there are power sockets with USB ports, and then there are also charging panels which are built into every table. Overhead are large modern light fittings, by British lighting designer Tom Dixon, using Elstead Lighting which created bespoke copper ceiling pendants, and indeed similar table lamps. All the furniture in the Business Class Gatwick BA lounge is also designer, by UK manufacturers Boss, using Scottish leather by Andrew Muirhead and fabric by Osborne & Little. There is a designer bar too, with bar stools by Philippe Starck. The bar is open from early, as is the buffet, however proper sit down waiter services are reserved for the First Class side. There is a small children's playroom at the far end of the lounge, and a football table, which is often heavily used. The mezzanine area in the lounge is the big secret of the Gatwick British Airways Business Lounge, with two hidden staircases. One at the far end of the lounge, and one curved one, beside the windows. This area is often completely deserted, particularly in late Autumn or early Spring when there are few passengers, and if you want privacy, this is the place to be. Alas, up here, there is no food or bar available but there is a coffee machine, and there is a great view down to the lower level. It's rather like the old LHR T1 Terraces lounge balcony, from 2001.

Food

The food in the Gatwick British Airways Business Lounge varies throughout the day, as you might expect. Starting with Breakfast on the Business Side, there is pretty much an identical spread to that on offer at the Galleries Club at Heathrow. There are bacon and omelette rolls, and plenty of pastries. Alas, there is nowhere to get a real hot breakfast; a British Airways Business Class lounge Gatwick Airport review has to mention that only those with access to the First side get the full bacon, eggs and beans treatment. From 11am, lunch starts, with large bowls of hot food, including a chicken and beef dish, rice and pasta. On the opposite counter are the salads. From 2pm, there is afternoon tea, which is frequently quite good, including scones and clotted cream, plus lots of sandwiches in baskets. Then from 5pm, the hot dinners start again, once more with salads on the middle island.

Bar

The bar in the British Airways Business Class lounge Gatwick Airport is really good, but alas there is only one bar, and it can get crowded as everyone fights to get at the wine. There is just one long, silver bar (silver, of course, because Silver card members get access here. Gold card members get access to the First lounge, which of course is coloured Gold!) In the trough are the wines, with four types of white: typically, they are New World white wines. Here is also the Baileys and the Kalhua. On the counter are four types of red. Here, there are the spirits with 14 different varieties. Johnnie Walker red (no Blue alas - that's now only on in the First lounge) is there, plus Tia Maria, Campari, Southern Comfort, JD, Bacardi, Smirnoff, Martini, and London gin. Beer is in cans in the fridge with Heineken and Cornish ale.

Bathrooms

In lounge, with good showers.

Business Facilities

There is one large computer room, which has numerous PCs. No wifi printing: you need to log on to use the one printer. Free wifi. Poor selection of magazines on a table mid lounge.

Access

Access is given to the British Airways Gatwick lounge to customers travelling in First, Club World or Club Europe, Executive Club Gold and Silver Members, and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members (plus one guest).

Video: British Airways Business Class Lounge

British Airways Business Class Lounge video - Click to play

British Airways Business Class Lounge video - Click to play