Finding flights to Gatwick UK used to be the "budget" backup plan for people who couldn't afford Heathrow. But things have changed. In 2026, London Gatwick (LGW) has turned into a massive powerhouse that handles everything from 20-minute hops across the English Channel to twelve-hour hauls across the Pacific.
Honestly, if you're still thinking of Gatwick as just a secondary hub, you're probably overpaying for your London trip.
It’s the second-busiest airport in the UK for a reason. You’ve got two terminals—North and South—and a train station that basically functions as a gateway to the rest of the country. But here is the thing: people mess up the logistics all the time. They book a "cheap" flight and then spend £40 on a train they didn't need, or they end up at the wrong terminal and miss a gate closure because they didn't realize the shuttle takes time.
The 2026 Flight Landscape at LGW
The variety of airlines now is pretty wild. You have the giants like British Airways and Emirates, but the real news is the expansion of long-haul budget travel.
💡 You might also like: Buying a 3 person inflatable boat: What most people get wrong about weight and space
Jet2 has officially moved in with a massive presence. Starting in 2026, they’ve ramped up to 29 destinations from Gatwick. They aren't just doing the classic Mediterranean runs to places like Palma or Faro anymore; they are eating up the market share for holiday seekers who want reliability over the bare-bones experience of some other low-cost carriers.
Meanwhile, British Airways has doubled down on its Gatwick "hub" strategy. They’ve moved their Bangkok route to a year-round service starting in the 2026 summer season. If you’re looking for Southeast Asia, Gatwick is now a more consistent option than it ever was during the "winter-only" years. They’ve also added more capacity to Kingston, Jamaica, responding to a huge surge in Caribbean tourism.
Who is flying where?
- EasyJet: The undisputed king here. They operate out of both terminals, which is a major trap for the uninitiated.
- Norse Atlantic: If you want to get to New York or LA without selling a kidney, these are the guys. They’ve basically filled the void left by Norwegian’s long-haul exit.
- Wizz Air: Mostly Eastern Europe. Cheap, but they are strict about bag sizes. Like, "we will measure your backpack in a metal box" strict.
- TUI: The go-to for charter-style flights to places like Mexico or the Canary Islands.
The Terminal Trap: North vs. South
This is where the stress starts. Gatwick is split into two main hubs. They are connected by a free monorail shuttle that runs every few minutes, but if you arrive at the train station (which is in the South Terminal) and your flight is in the North, you need to budget an extra 15 minutes.
North Terminal is generally where you’ll find:
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- TUI
- Most British Airways flights
- A good chunk of EasyJet
South Terminal is where you’ll find:
- Ryanair
- Vueling
- The other half of EasyJet
- Norse Atlantic
- Most of the train connections
Don't trust your memory. Always check your boarding pass the morning of the flight. Airlines shift terminals more often than you'd think due to gate construction or capacity issues.
Getting Into London Without Getting Ripped Off
You've landed. You've cleared customs. Now you need to get to the city. This is where most tourists lose their first £20.
The Gatwick Express is the most famous option. It’s a non-stop train to London Victoria. It takes about 30 minutes. It's clean, it’s fast, and it’s expensive—usually around £20-£23 for a one-way ticket.
The Insider Secret: Take the Southern or Thameslink trains instead.
The Southern train goes to the exact same station (London Victoria) and often takes only 5 minutes longer because it makes one or two stops at places like East Croydon. If you use your contactless bank card or an Oyster card, it’s significantly cheaper—often half the price of the Express.
Thameslink is even better if you’re staying in the City or North London. It goes to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras. If you're heading to Kings Cross, don't go to Victoria. Take the Thameslink. It saves you a tube transfer and a lot of dragging suitcases through underground tunnels.
Timing Your Booking for 2026
If you’re looking for the absolute lowest prices on flights to Gatwick UK, the data for 2026 shows two major "sweet spots."
📖 Related: Aokigahara: What People Get Wrong About Japan's Sea of Trees
First, the January Sales. British Airways and EasyJet almost always drop massive fare sales in the first two weeks of January. If you can plan your summer holiday then, you’ll save a fortune. Second, mid-week departures. Everyone wants to fly on Friday or Sunday. If you can fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you’re looking at a 15-20% price drop immediately.
For short-haul European hops, book 6 to 8 weeks out. For transatlantic flights from the US or Canada, 4 to 6 months is the golden window.
Actionable Tips for a Smooth Arrival
- Download the Gatwick App: It has real-time queue lengths for security. If the North Terminal is slammed, you’ll know before you get there.
- Use Contactless: Do not queue for a paper train ticket. Just tap your credit card or phone at the yellow readers at the station. It automatically calculates the cheapest fare.
- Check the "Bag Drop" Times: Some budget airlines at Gatwick won't let you drop bags more than 2 or 3 hours before a flight. If you show up 5 hours early hoping to hang out in a lounge, you might be stuck landside with your suitcases.
- Pre-book the Lounge: If you have a long layover, the No1 Lounge in the North Terminal is excellent, but it fills up fast. Pre-booking for about £35-£40 gets you food, drinks, and a way better seat than the plastic chairs at the gate.
- Watch the EasyJet Terminal: Since they fly from both, double-check your app. It’s the #1 reason people miss flights at LGW.
Gatwick is a great airport if you know how to play the system. It's often more relaxed than Heathrow, and the train connections to the south coast (like Brighton) are unbeatable. Just keep an eye on your terminal and don't overpay for the "Express" train when the regular commuter rail does the same job for less.
To secure the best rates, monitor the Tuesday price drops on major booking platforms and always cross-reference the airline's direct site against aggregators to avoid hidden "service fees" that don't include baggage.