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London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the second-largest of the main London airports and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It is located 30-45km south of central London and is linked to the city by train, car, and coach services. The airport consists of two terminals, North and South, and uses a single runway, with a second runway available when the main runway is out of action. Gatwick Airport flies to more destinations than any other UK airport, handling over 43 million passengers per year.
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 28-30 miles south of central London, just outside Crawley, West Sussex |
| Year of opening | 1956 |
| Terminals | 2 (North and South) |
| Gates | 65 |
| Runway | 1 main runway, 3,316 metres in length; 1 secondary runway |
| Airlines | Over 50, including British Airways, Virgin, easyJet, Thomas Cook, and Thomson |
| Destinations | More than any other UK airport |
| Annual passengers | 43-46 million |
| Transport links | Gatwick Express, Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Cars |
| Awards | International Airport Review Award for Environmental Awareness (2017), ACI Eco Innovation Award for Environmental Excellence (2023) |
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What You'll Learn
London Gatwick Airport is 30 miles south of London
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is located about 30 miles (47.5 km) south of Central London, in Crawley, West Sussex. It is the second-largest of the main London airports and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger traffic. The airport is easily accessible from London by train, coach, or car, with the train journey taking just 30 minutes.
London Gatwick Airport has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, with a total of 65 gates between them. Both terminals offer a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, and other amenities. The terminals are connected by a 0.75-mile (1.21 km) elevated, two-way automated people mover track, which is colloquially known as a "monorail." This shuttle service consists of two automatic, three-car, driverless trains running on a dual, concrete track with rubber tyres.
The airport's train station is attached to the South Terminal, and a free shuttle service connects passengers to the North Terminal. The Gatwick Express offers a direct train service to Central London, with trains running every 15 to 30 minutes between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria Station. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
London Gatwick Airport has a variety of parking options available, including short-stay, long-stay, premium, and valet parking. The airport also offers hotels in both terminals, and joint booking discounts are available through the Gatwick Airport website.
The history of London Gatwick Airport dates back to the late 1920s when the land was first developed as an aerodrome. Commercial flights began operating from the site in 1933, and the airport has since expanded and evolved to become one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom.
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LGW is the second busiest airport in the UK
LGW, or London Gatwick Airport, is the second busiest airport in the UK. Located around 30 miles south of central London, it is easily accessible by train, car, or coach. The airport is just outside Crawley in West Sussex and is well-connected to the city, with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes by train.
London Gatwick Airport has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, with a total of 65 gates between them. Both terminals offer a range of shops and restaurants, as well as facilities for disabled passengers and baby changing and feeding areas. The terminals are connected by an elevated, two-way automated people mover, providing a seamless connection for passengers.
The airport has an interesting history, with the land first being developed as an aerodrome in the early to mid-1930s. Commercial flights were approved in 1933, and the airport was taken over by the military during World War II, known as RAF Gatwick. After the war, it resumed its civilian operations, officially opening in 1956.
London Gatwick Airport is known for its environmental initiatives and won the International Airport Review Award for Environmental Awareness in 2017. The airport has also been recognised for its resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring operations for rescue missions, medical evacuations, and transporting essential supplies.
With over 43 million passengers annually, London Gatwick Airport is a bustling hub, serving as the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom. The airport handles a significant volume of passenger traffic, contributing to London's status as the largest aviation hub in the world by passenger numbers.
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Gatwick Airport has two terminals
Gatwick Airport, or London Gatwick Airport, is the second-largest of London's airports and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom. The IATA code for Gatwick Airport is LGW. The airport is located around 30 miles south of central London, in Crawley, West Sussex. It is easily accessible by train, car, or coach, with the train journey taking just 30 minutes.
The airport has a rich history, with the land first being developed as an aerodrome in the late 1920s. Commercial flights were approved in 1933, and the first terminal, "The Beehive", was built in 1935. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the military and was known as RAF Gatwick. After the war, it returned to civilian use, with the airport proper being built in the mid-1950s and officially opening in 1956.
Gatwick Airport has seen several expansion proposals over the years, including the addition of a third terminal and a second runway. In 2013, the airport management proposed a second runway south of the existing one, which was shortlisted by the Airports Commission for further consideration. The airport has also explored options to optimise its existing runways, such as widening runway 08L/26R and implementing new technology to increase capacity.
Gatwick Airport offers various amenities and services to enhance the passenger experience. It provides detailed maps of the North and South Terminals, helping visitors familiarise themselves with the layout before their arrival. The airport also boasts a conference and business centre, multi-faith prayer and counselling rooms, and a range of on-site and off-site hotels. Additionally, passengers can take advantage of exclusive offers and savings at World Duty-Free, with brands like Chanel, Tom Ford, and Jo Malone.
The airport has received recognition for its environmental initiatives, winning the International Airport Review Award for Environmental Awareness in 2017. Gatwick Airport continues to strive for improvement, attracting new airlines and implementing capacity-building programmes to enhance efficiency and passenger experience.
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The airport has a dedicated electric vehicle charging station
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the second-largest airport in the UK and the second-busiest in terms of passenger traffic. The airport is located 30 miles south of central London and is easily accessible by train, car, or coach.
London Gatwick has recently demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and creating a low-carbon economy by becoming the first international airport in the world to open a dedicated electric vehicle charging station. The Electric Forecourt® is a state-of-the-art facility located on Ring Road South, adjacent to the M23, and is conveniently positioned near the South Terminal. This strategic placement makes it easily accessible to millions of passengers, staff, local residents, commuters, and business fleets.
The Electric Forecourt® boasts 30 high-power and low-power electric vehicle chargers available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These chargers can be accessed via contactless payment, making the process convenient and efficient. The facility also offers high-speed Wi-Fi, a comfortable lounge area, and a Costa Coffee shop, ensuring that those waiting can relax and stay connected. Additionally, there is a Little Fresh convenience store and an interactive EV experience area, where visitors can learn more about electric vehicles and even test drive an EV.
The charging station is powered by 100% net-zero energy, showcasing Gatwick Airport's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The fastest chargers can add up to 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes, making it an efficient and attractive option for electric vehicle owners. With this initiative, Gatwick Airport is leading the way in providing new infrastructure to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles.
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Gatwick Airport won an award for Environmental Awareness in 2017
Gatwick Airport, or London Gatwick, is the second-largest airport in the main London airports group and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger traffic. The IATA code for Gatwick Airport is LGW. The airport is located around 30 miles south of central London, just outside Crawley in West Sussex. Gatwick Airport is easily accessible by train, car, or coach, and it is only a 30-minute train ride from London.
Gatwick Airport has two terminals, North and South, with a total of 65 gates. The terminals are not connected once passengers have passed through security, but before that, they are connected by a 0.75-mile-long, two-way automated people mover. The airport has a single runway that is 3,316 meters long, but there is also a secondary runway that is used when the main runway is out of action.
In 2017, Gatwick Airport won the International Airport Review Award for Environmental Awareness. The airport has implemented several initiatives to improve accessibility and sustainability. For example, Gatwick has better cycle accessibility than other London airports, with a national cycle route running through it. The airport has also been recognised by the National Autistic Society as a leader in innovative solutions for passengers, such as introducing a hidden disability lanyard and providing facilities like a sensory room. Gatwick Airport worked with the Alzheimer's Society to create a London Gatwick-specific Dementia Friends awareness package, with over 2,000 colleagues becoming Dementia Friends.
The airport has also been committed to making air travel more accessible for disabled people. Kamran, the CEO of Disability Rights UK, has been working with Gatwick Airport since 2017 to guide decision-makers and improve airport infrastructure and processes for travellers with disabilities. Gatwick Airport has also introduced accessible in-flight entertainment and trained customer-facing colleagues to assist passengers with hidden disabilities. These efforts demonstrate Gatwick Airport's dedication to environmental awareness and social responsibility, making it a leader in innovation and accessibility in the aviation industry.
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Frequently asked questions
LGW stands for London Gatwick Airport.
London Gatwick Airport is located about 30 miles south of central London, just outside Crawley in West Sussex.
You can get to London Gatwick Airport by train, car, or coach. The Gatwick Express provides a nonstop train service to London Victoria station in 30-34 minutes. Southern and Thameslink also offer train services from the airport to several London stations. Coaches from Victoria Coach Station to Gatwick take about 1.5-2 hours.
