London Heathrow Airport vs London Gatwick Airport

Overview

London Heathrow is the UK's primary international hub and Europe's busiest airport by passenger volume, handling around 83 million travellers a year across four active terminals. Its strength is unmatched global connectivity — particularly long-haul routes to North America, the Middle East, and Asia — and a lounge portfolio that includes British Airways' Concorde Room, Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse, and the American Express Centurion Lounge. Weaknesses are well documented: terminal sprawl, occasional ATC-related delays, and a passenger experience that can feel transactional outside premium cabins.

Terminal guide: which airline flies from where

Terminal 5 is British Airways' fortress hub — virtually all BA long-haul and short-haul flights depart from T5, along with select Iberia services. If you hold BA Gold or are flying Club World or First, the First Wing check-in and Concorde Room are here. Terminal 3 hosts Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Air France, KLM, and several Middle Eastern carriers; it is also where the Amex Centurion Lounge and Virgin Clubhouse sit side by side. Terminal 2 is the Star Alliance terminal (Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, United on some routes). Terminal 4 handles Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways on select rotations, and Royal Jordanian.

Inter-terminal transfers require leaving security unless you are on a through-checked connection with a minimum connection time built into your ticket. The free transit train between terminals runs airside at T2/T3/T5; T4 requires a bus. Budget 60–90 minutes for a landside terminal change.

Getting to and from Heathrow

The Elizabeth line (opened 2022, fully integrated 2023) is now the best value rail option for most central London destinations, running from all terminals through Paddington, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. Off-peak fares are substantially cheaper than the Heathrow Express. The Heathrow Express remains the fastest option to Paddington at 15 minutes but carries a premium fare (£25+ one-way). The Piccadilly line is the budget choice — slower but direct to Zone 1.

National Express and other coach services connect LHR to cities across the UK. Black cabs and ride-hail operate from all terminals; expect £50–£80 to central London depending on traffic. Driving is discouraged: drop-off charges apply and parking is expensive.

Lounge access at Heathrow

Heathrow has the strongest lounge selection of any UK airport. British Airways operates Galleries Club, Galleries First, and the Concorde Room in Terminal 5 — the Concorde Room is restricted to same-day BA First passengers and BA Gold/Gold Guest List members on long-haul Club World. Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse in Terminal 3 is among the best business lounges in the world, with a la carte dining and spa treatments. The American Express Centurion Lounge in T3 offers cardholders a Michelin-chef-designed menu but no runway views.

Priority Pass and DragonPass holders can access Plaza Premium, Aspire, and Club Aspire lounges across terminals, though quality varies and peak-time entry is not guaranteed. Day passes typically cost £40–£55 walk-up.

Overview

Gatwick is London's second airport and the world's busiest single-runway airport, moving passengers efficiently between its North and South Terminals via a free shuttle, with the South Terminal train station offering fast rail access into central London. It holds a solid but unspectacular rating, reflecting decent facilities and lounges that trail Heathrow's premium offering.

Terminals and getting around Gatwick

Gatwick operates two terminals — North and South — connected by a free, fully automated shuttle train that takes about two minutes. The South Terminal is the busier of the two and houses the railway station, so most passengers arriving by train start there. easyJet, Gatwick's dominant carrier, splits operations across both terminals, so always check which one your flight departs from before arriving.

As the world's busiest single-runway airport, Gatwick runs a tightly scheduled operation. Security can be busy at peak leisure times (early mornings and school holidays), so the airport recommends arriving two to three hours before departure. Both terminals offer fast-track security for a fee or via premium tickets and select lounges.

Getting to and from London

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop to London Victoria in around 30 minutes, while Thameslink services connect directly to London Bridge, Blackfriars, St Pancras, and on to Luton — useful for cross-London and airport-to-airport journeys without changing. Southern services add more central and south London stops at lower fares. The station sits inside the South Terminal.

National Express and other coaches serve Gatwick from across the UK, and the airport is directly on the M23/M25 motorway network. Rail is almost always faster and cheaper than a taxi to central London, which can take over an hour in traffic and cost significantly more.

Lounges and where Gatwick sits versus Heathrow

Gatwick's lounge scene is independent-led rather than airline-flagship: the No1 Lounge (both terminals), Clubrooms, My Lounge, and the Grain Store are the main options, most accepting Priority Pass, DragonPass, or paid day passes. British Airways operates a lounge in the South Terminal for its short-haul premium and status passengers. None match the scale of Heathrow's BA Concorde Room or Virgin Clubhouse.

For a like-for-like decision between London's two main airports, see our Gatwick vs Heathrow comparison. In short: Heathrow wins on long-haul network, premium lounges, and connection options; Gatwick often wins on leisure routes, lower parking costs, and a simpler two-terminal layout.