British Airways First London Gatwick Lounge

If you are on one of the few genuine First Class flights out of Gatwick, the lounge can be a disappointment; it's no Concorde Room, that's for sure. However, at least there is cook to order food.

It's great that BA still have a First lounge, for a start. However, the major issue is it isn't all that special, and with the number of Gold card holders it can get packed, and then some. It's not unusual to see First Class ticket holders wander off into Business, to find somewhere to sit.

London Gatwick British Airways First lounge review

The London Gatwick British Airways First Class lounge is both a delight, and a bit of an anomaly. Appropriately, just turn left after the reception desk after walking down the miles of corridors, after the lifts. The First Class British Airways Gatwick lounge is quite small, with just four rooms, and indeed just one main central room overlooking the view over the runway. You enter this as soon as you are past the front desk - the lounge is that small. There are banks of seats here looking over the runway, and quieter seats in the middle of the lounge. There is one small 'quiet room', if you double back from reception: it's a strange small room without windows, and with bright purple seats. Then there is the food and bar area as you walk clockwise, with just one large gold bar. There are only a few seats here: two small high tables, where you feel permanently on view, a few seats at the windows, and a small enclosed booth area with a bench type seat. Finally, at the far end, is the 'study', which basically is a large computer room, which few people seem to use. There is a doorway here connecting the Business and First lounges, which the staff often leave open, so you can just wander between the lounges. There are some comfy seats. And Tracy Emin drawings. And that's it.

Food

Food in the British Airways First Class Gatwick lounge is notably a step up from Business Class, with menus on the tables, so you can order the classic British Airways burger, and all the usual trimmings, plus a couple of other dishes, or a full hot English early in the morning, with scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon. During the day there is similar, but marginally better, food left out in the buffet area, with sandwiches, and four large hot bowls with heated dishes - each bowl is split into two, too, so there is more variety than there appears to be. Don't miss the tartare sauce on the counter. There is also hot soup, and slices of pate, plus cheeses, and tall small jars with salads. Don't miss the afternoon tea, with some decent cakes, scones and cream, left out near the coffee machine.

Bar

Drinks in the First Class British Airways Gatwick lounge are also a bit of a step up from Business, with Champagne and premium spirits available (amazingly, BA is still offering Johnnie Walker Blue). There are generally at least two types of champagne available in the central bar trough, with one of them being a rose and large sparkling champagne glasses all under the angular gold lights. There is plenty of wine, with three good bottles of red and three of white, along the main bar. On top of the bar there are bottles of Baileys and port. At the back of the bar is the spirits selection: it's the usual BA selection of 18 different bottles of free pour Cointreau, Tia Maria, Campari, Martin (x3), 5 whiskeys, six vodkas, and Gordon's gin. Don't miss the Johnnie Walker's Blue. There are three types of brandy in the middle of the bar, behind the pile of crisps. Beer is in the fridge below, with four types including Guinness and Cornish ale.

Bathrooms

Toilets in Lounge, door beside main room. Full showers are available on the Business side.

Business Facilities

Powerpoints are very good in the lounge, with plenty of racks of both UK square pin sockets, euro round pin, and dual USB sockets. There are no US or Australian sockets. There is one large computer room, which has numerous PCs. Free wifi. OK selection of magazines, in a rack beside the quiet room.

Access

Access is given to the British Airways Gatwick lounge to customers travelling in First, Executive Club Gold , and oneworld Emerald. Absolutely no paid access.

Video: British Airways First Lounge

British Airways First Lounge video - Click to play