- Mr Plane Guy
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
British Airways Lounge Gatwick South (2026): The Plane Honest Review
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, Flight Expert & Airport Lounge Prosecco Sampler
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British Airways Lounge Gatwick South
If you’re flying with British Airways from Gatwick South Terminal, this is the lounge you’ll likely use. Officially, BA operates two lounges here:
British Airways Galleries Club Lounge
British Airways First Class Lounge
Most Gatwick flights are operated by BA’s short-haul subsidiary, so if you’re unsure how that differs from mainline British Airways, here’s my full breakdown of What Is British Airways Euroflyer? How Are They Different to BA?
Both sit on the Upper Mezzanine Level after security, just to the left near JD Sports.
Open roughly 5:00am – 8:30pm, serving all BA flights from Gatwick.
But let’s get into what you actually want to know…
Is the British Airways Lounge Gatwick South good? Is it better than other Gatwick airport lounges? And should you bother if you’re not flying business class?
I visited on a February Sunday morning. Peak ski traffic. Busy and borderline chaotic.
Gatwick has seen its fair share of operational disruption recently too, I've covered the reasons in detail in Why Are So Many British Airways Flights Being Delayed and Cancelled?
Back to the BA lounge Gatwick review and here’s the plane honest truth.
First Impressions: Big, Bright, Proper BA Energy
Occupancy? I’d say 90% full around 9am. Clearly ski flights departing, lots of families, lots of movement.
But the space itself is impressive.
High ceilings
Floor-to-ceiling runway views
Deep BA “Edgewood blue” tones
Modern lighting
Zoned seating (booths, dining tables, armchairs)
It feels premium. It feels flagship. It feels like BA wants this to compete.
The design? Genuinely excellent.
British Airways Lounge Gatwick South Food & Drinks
The Food (And The Slightly Awkward Breakfast Moment)
Let’s be honest.
At 9am… I was underwhelmed.
Breakfast offering included:
Sausage
Bacon
Scrambled egg
Beans
Mushrooms
Toast / bread rolls
Yogurt, porridge, cereals
Cheese & ham slices
Fruit (looked tinned)
But…
No pastries. Cold meats looked sparse. Some dirty plates lingering.
It didn’t scream “Business Class”. More “hotel buffet that’s been raided by ski families”.
Now, fast forward to 11:30am.
Completely different story.
Proper salad bar
Chowder
Curry
Pasta
Potato & cheese gratin
Thai fishcake (honestly, delicious)
Desserts? Two options. Sticky toffee pudding loaf AND lemon sponge.
Obviously, in the name of research, I tried both and indeed both were exceptional.
The improvement from breakfast to lunch was dramatic.
The Bar: This Is Where BA Wins
This is where the British Airways Gatwick lounge really stands out.
Manned cocktail bar with:
Negroni
Aperol Spritz
Gin Fizz (my choice)
Champagne offered by the bar-woman (legend) no extra charge.
No waiting. Friendly service. Proper holiday vibes.
No waiting. Friendly service. Proper BA holiday vibes.
Also available:
BrewDog Speedbird IPA on draught
0% San Miguel
Wines (good range)
Premium spirits
Soft drinks fridges
Coffee machines
Teas & juices
The bar experience elevated the whole lounge.
The Mezzanine & BrewDog Loft (Hidden Gem)
Upstairs is a quieter mezzanine area and this is where things get interesting.
There’s a BrewDog loft section with draught beer on tap.
Excellent touch.
Far quieter than the main floor. If you want calm, head upstairs.
The Kids Situation (Weekend Reality)
Huge children’s area. Proper soft play section. Screened off.
Great for families.
But on a Sunday morning? It was loud.
This isn’t the quietest lounge in the UK during peak family departures. Just manage expectations.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
Showers
Workstations
Charging points (although one plug at my booth didn’t work… maintenance issue, had to relocate)
Private toilets
Large seating capacity
Overall facilities? Strong.
Who Gets Access?
You can access the British Airways Lounge Gatwick South if you are:
Flying Club Europe / Club World
Executive Club Silver or Gold
oneworld Sapphire / Emerald
Flying BA economy? You won’t get access unless you hold status.
But here’s where it gets interesting…
If you’re chasing status and wondering how lounge access links to tier progression, here’s my full guide to British Airways Tier Points: Bonus System Explained.
Not Flying BA Business? Here’s The Smart Play
If you’re not flying BA premium, Gatwick South still has excellent alternatives:
No1 Lounge
Clubrooms
Aspire
I’ve reviewed them all:
And if you’re flying from Heathrow too, don’t miss:
The Smartest Way Into Airport Lounges (Without Paying £48 at the Door)
If you are flying from Gatwick South and not travelling with BA in business class then I would recommend Clubrooms, however it costs from £48 per visit. Flying twice this year? That’s nearly £100 just on lounge access!
With my reader discount, Priority Pass membership starts from £48 per year, and visits can work out from around £24 each.
That’s where the maths changes.
Which Plan Makes Sense?
If you fly 2–5 times per year, Standard Plus (10 included visits) is usually the sweet spot.
You get:
10 visits included
Access to Clubrooms, No1, Aspire & more
Guest access at member rate
Most of my Gatwick readers choose Standard Plus.
Using Your Avios From Gatwick
If you’re flying BA from Gatwick, you’re probably sitting on Avios.
The hard part isn’t earning them.
It’s finding reward seats.
That’s why I use Reward Flight Finder.
It:
Scans BA reward availability
Sends alerts
Shows peak vs off-peak
Finds seats months ahead
👉 Try Reward Flight Finder Free (7-day trial, cancel anytime)
And if you’re new to Avios, start here:
What I Liked
✔️ Impressive design & runway views
✔️ Excellent bar & cocktail experience
✔️ Lunch food far better than breakfast
✔️ BrewDog mezzanine area
✔️ Friendly, visible staff on entry
What Could Be Improved
❌ Breakfast felt underwhelming
❌ Pastries ran out
❌ Busy at peak times
❌ Minor maintenance issues (plug socket)
My Final Boarding Call: Is The British Airways Lounge Gatwick Good?
Yes.
The British Airways Lounge Gatwick South is a strong lounge.
Not flawless. Not Heathrow T5 First levels of polis. But spacious, stylish, great bar, solid lunch offering, and genuinely enjoyable.
If breakfast consistency improves? It’s easily a 9/10.
As it stands: 8.5/ 10.
And for Gatwick South… that’s impressive. Compared to Clubrooms Gatwick South, BA wins on space and bar quality, but loses on quiet atmosphere.
See you in the lounge.
How I Pay £24 Instead of £40+ at Gatwick Lounges
I don’t pay walk-up prices. I use Priority Pass.
Here’s why it works at Gatwick:
• Access to Clubrooms, Plaza Premium, Aspire & No1
With my reader discount, plans start from just £48. If you fly twice a year, it pays for itself.
For most travellers, Standard Plus is the best option, 10 included visits per year, ideal for if you travel more than a couple of times per year.
Priority Pass Membership Plans Explained
Priority Pass offers three plans:
Standard — low annual fee, and you pay-as-you-go per visit.
Standard Plus — includes 10 free visits per year.
Prestige — unlimited free member visits all year.
All three let you bring guests for the stated visit fee.
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Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline.
I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
I hope you enjoyed this British Airways Lounge Gatwick South (2026): The Plane Honest Review Do let me know in the comments........
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