Terminal Overview
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) has two terminals, and the North Terminal is the airport’s main hub for many international and long-haul services. Opened in 1988, it’s the side of Gatwick you’ll often use for Gulf carriers, North America routes, and a mix of European and intercontinental flights. While Gatwick doesn’t operate like a classic “alliance hub,” you’ll still see major global carriers here across Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance networks.
In day-to-day use, the North Terminal feels purpose-built for higher volumes: wide concourses, plenty of seating after security, and strong premium-travel support (notably airline lounges used by long-haul carriers). If you’re used to airports where terminals sprawl endlessly, North is relatively straightforward—once you’re airside, you’ll mainly be choosing between the pier serving gates in the 40s/50s and the pier serving gates in the 500s.
Airlines & Destinations
Airlines based in (or frequently assigned to) the North Terminal include: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, JetBlue, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Lufthansa, SWISS, Icelandair, Air China, China Eastern, WestJet, Air Transat, Air Mauritius, Azerbaijan Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, plus operators that can vary seasonally such as Freebird and others. Terminal assignments can change, so it’s smart to confirm on Gatwick’s airline A–Z list and your booking before you travel.
Typical key destination patterns from North include long-haul links to the Middle East (e.g., Dubai/Doha), North America (selected JetBlue, WestJet, and seasonal services), and a spread of routes to North Africa and Asia depending on carrier schedules. For alliance planning: Oneworld is represented by Qatar Airways; Star Alliance by Lufthansa and SWISS; SkyTeam by China Eastern. (Gatwick itself is not dominated by any single alliance the way Heathrow often is.)
Layout & Navigation
The North Terminal is organized around two main gate areas. Pier 4 covers bus gate 45 and gates 46–55 (jetbridges). Pier 5557–574 (jetbridges). Some stands are remote, meaning you may board by coach even if your boarding pass shows a standard gate—listen for announcements and watch the screens.
After check-in and bag drop, you’ll pass through the main security area into the central departures zone with shops and food, then branch off toward your pier. As a rule of thumb, allow 10–15 minutes to get from central airside shopping to the far end of a pier at a comfortable pace (longer if you’re traveling with children or during peak waves). Gatwick’s terminals are connected landside only by an elevated automated shuttle (people mover) that runs before security. The ride is short, but build in time for walking and waiting—especially if you need to change terminals for check-in or baggage.
Amenities & Services
If you’re flying long-haul or premium, the North Terminal is one of the better places at LGW for lounge access thanks to the presence of major international carriers (for example, premium facilities commonly used by airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways). Access rules vary by airline and ticket class, and some lounges may be contract lounges depending on the carrier—always check your airline’s lounge instructions for North Terminal.
Food and shopping are concentrated in the main airside departures area, with additional options along the walk to the piers. You’ll typically find a dependable mix of quick takeaway (coffee, sandwiches) and sit-down dining for longer waits. For essentials, there are also travel retail shops where you can grab last-minute chargers, adapters, and toiletries before heading to gates in the 40s/50s or the 500s.
Practical services include self check-in options and standard passenger support desks. For families, you’ll find baby changing facilities in the terminal (follow the signs for toilets and family services). The terminal is designed to be step-free and supportive for travelers with reduced mobility—if you need assistance, request it in advance with your airline so staff can help from curb to gate, including any remote-stand coach boarding.
Practical Tips
- For long layovers: Stay in the main post-security departures area until your gate is confirmed. It has the best concentration of seating, food choices, and shops before you commit to a longer walk down a pier.
- Quietest places to rest: Once boarding starts for other flights, pier corridors can become busy. If you want calmer space, walk a bit away from the central hub toward your pier, but avoid going all the way to a gate too early if your gate is likely to change.
- Power and charging: Look around seating clusters in the central airside area and near gate seating—these are the most common places to find sockets and USB points. If you find a good charging spot, claim it early at peak times.
- Wi‑Fi: Gatwick typically provides airport Wi‑Fi—connect using the network prompts on your device and follow the browser sign-in steps. If it’s slow, moving closer to the central departures area often helps.
- Terminal transfers: There’s no airside connection between North and South. If you’re switching terminals, you must take the landside shuttle and re-clear security, so build in extra time.
- Always re-check your terminal and gate: Some airlines (notably those that can operate from both terminals) may change assignments. Confirm in your airline app and on airport screens, especially on travel days with disruption.