Business travel is all about comfort, efficiency, and first-class services and facilities. If your job requires you to travel through Gatwick airport frequently, take a look at our travel business guide to the second largest single-runway airport in the United Kingdom.

Business Travel Stats

Gatwick Airport Passenger Breakdown 2014

More than 45 airlines use Gatwick’s two terminals to link the UK with more than 200 destinations all over the world. The busiest routes go to well-known business destinations like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Barcelona, Dubai, and Geneva. In fact, the airport has links to 46 of the top 50 European business destinations. The construction of a second runway is being planned, which would increase both the efficiency and the number of destinations on offer at Gatwick.

The number of passengers using Gatwick has been constantly increasing since its initial creation, going from 186,000 passengers a year in 1958 to 36 million in 2013. April 2014 was a record month in terms of passenger numbers, as more than 3.4 million people flew in our out of Gatwick. Approximately 20 per cent of all passengers are business travellers.

Business Services and Incentives

During the last six years, more than £1 billion have been invested in various facility upgrades at Gatwick airport. The upgrades include improved connections between terminals, fast lanes at passport control, the extension of the departure lounges, a more efficient baggage handling system, and the creation of more than 1,000 additional parking spaces. Moreover, Gatwick airport offers 69 self-service kiosks located at both terminals to speed up the check-in process for business travellers.

Business travellers can benefit from the services of professional concierges. The Meet and Greet team is here to offer a VIP and hassle free experience, escorting passengers swiftly through check-in, security, customs, and helping arrange onward transportation. This service is available to both arriving and departing passengers. The Fast Track scheme is aimed at business travellers and includes dedicated parking space, priority security screening, and access to duty free counters.

Airport Business Lounges

Business lounges at Gatwick are operated by 4 different companies. No. 1 has fully equipped lounges at both terminals, which are available up to 3 hours prior to departure. The fee for lounge use is £25. Some of the services on offer include complimentary food and beverages, free WIFI, business stations with printers, fax machines, and scanners, TVs, a spa, and private meeting rooms.

Servisair has a business lounge in each terminal, offering quiet zones, laptop charging facilities, high-speed WIFI, and complimentary food and drinks (soft and alcoholic) for just £15.99.

My Lounge operates a business lounge in Gatwick’s North Terminal, which offers newspapers, TVs, access to computers, a games room, complimentary food, and a laid-back atmosphere. Pre-booking is available at £16 per adult and it includes premium security access.

Emirates and British Airways have their own business lounges at Gatwick, which are available for passengers flying premium class.

Short Term Office Space and Meeting Venues

Business travellers wishing to book a meeting room in Gatwick can do so by booking a private meeting room at the No. 1 lounge (North Terminal), which is open from 4am to 10pm. Prices start at £20/hour. Alternatively, business passengers may want to book the short-term meeting facilities available at nearby hotels like Sofitel, Holiday Inn, and Hilton. We have more short term and flexible office and meeting room rentals near Gatwick Airport listed here.

Business Hotels

Bloc Hotel is the only accommodation venue located within Gatwick airport. The hotel is at the South Terminal, one minute away from the departures area. Guests benefit from express check-in and check-out, free WIFI, and discounted valet parking rates.

The Hampton by Hilton is directly connected to the North Terminal and runs a shuttle service to the South Terminal. Business facilities here include unlimited WIFI, a business area with printers, copiers, and fax machines, and a meeting room.

The following hotels are located within 1.5 miles of the airport:

*The Hilton (meeting rooms available)

* Sofitel (business centre and meeting facilities)

* Premier Inn and Courtyard by Marriott, both offering executive lounges and meeting rooms.

Distance to City Centre

Gatwick airport is located 28 miles south of London.

Transport Options and Costs

If you are driving:

Gatwick can be accessed by car via the M23 (junction 9) and M25 (junction 7). Long/short stay, valet, and premium parking facilities are available at both terminals and costing £15-£20 per day. A complimentary bus links the long-stay facilities with the terminals, which are 5 minutes away.

Short stay parking costs start at £3 for 30 minutes. Premium parking offers direct access to the terminal and costs £4 for stays of up to 30 minutes. Secure valet parking is available at both short-stay car parks. There are 8 approved meet & greet operators at Gatwick. All car park options can be pre-booked online.

If you are using public transport:

The Gatwick Express runs direct trains to Victoria station. Travel time is 30 minutes and trains run every 15 minutes starting at 4.35am from the airport station.

Thameslink has three trains per hour to and from London Bridge. Other trains go from Gatwick’s rail station to Victoria, the South East, St Pancras, and Berkshire.

National Express has over 156 buses per day linking the airport with 90 UK destinations, as well as a shuttle bus to Heathrow and services to central London starting at £10. Hourly buses go to Oxford between 2am and midnight.

If you have tips for business passengers travelling to/from/through Gatwick Airport please leave a comment.

If you want to find office space close to Gatwick Airport give us a call on 020 3970 9731020 3970 9731 .