£5–£7 meal deals make McDonald’s the cheapest hot food in Gatwick.
McDonald’s at London Gatwick Airport is the go-to spot for budget flyers trying to dodge £12+ sit-down mains before a three-hour easyJet or Wizz Air hop with no meal included. You’ll pay typical UK high-street pricing for burgers, fries, and McMuffins, so a family of four can eat for around £20–£30 instead of blowing that per head elsewhere in North or South Terminal.
Both terminals usually have a McDonald’s airside past security, so you can eat within 30–60 minutes of boarding instead of relying on buy-on-board menus. Parents on Reddit talk about feeding kids here before long flights, then ignoring the trolley when it rolls down the aisle. Expect all the standards: Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, breakfast wraps, plus saver-menu items that often dip under £2.
Queues are the trade-off. Reviews mention lines 20–30 people deep at peak breakfast (07:00–09:00) and dinner (18:00–20:00), with waits pushing 15–25 minutes. When the kitchen is slammed, people report lukewarm fries and burgers that feel like they’ve sat a few minutes too long. If you care about heat, eat a fry at the counter and ask for a fresh batch if it’s already cold.
Seating is another weak spot. Travellers complain about dirty tables and floors in school-holiday crushes, especially when multiple A320s worth of families hit at once. Seats fill fast, and it’s common to see people hovering for a spot or carrying trays back toward generic terminal seating near gates in North and South. Grab napkins, wipes, and be ready to wipe down a table yourself.
Tip: Regulars try for off-peak times—think 10:00–11:00 or 15:00–17:00—to cut queue time roughly in half, then board with a full stomach and only buy a drink on the plane.