Gatwick Airport Lounges 2026 — North & South Terminal, Cost & Which to Pick

Gatwick spreads its lounges across two separate terminals that aren't quick to move between, so picking the right one matters more here than at a single-terminal airport. Between North and South there are around ten lounges currently operating, run by three different operators, with prices from under £30 to over £100 for the arrivals option — plus one lounge (British Airways) that isn't for sale at any price unless you're flying BA or a Oneworld partner.

This guide covers every lounge by terminal, what it actually costs in 2026, and which access route — cash, Priority Pass, or an airline card — gets you in cheapest. Researched July 2026 against the official Gatwick Airport lounge page.

How much does a Gatwick lounge cost in 2026?

Every Gatwick lounge operator prices on a "from" basis that rises the closer you book to your travel date, so the headline figure is a floor, not a fixed price. Plaza Express in the North Terminal is the cheapest at from £28. No1 Lounge and My Lounge sit from £34–£38 depending on terminal and date. Clubrooms is the most expensive walk-in option at from £44, and third-party sites often quote it nearer £50 close to departure.

Prices researched July 2026 against operator and airport booking pages. British Airways Club and First lounges (South Terminal) and the Emirates Lounge (North Terminal) don't sell general walk-in access — see the access section below.

Gatwick North Terminal lounges

North Terminal has the wider spread of lounges by count, plus the airline-exclusive Emirates Lounge — the largest single lounge at Gatwick by floor area.

• No1 Lounge (North) — the Priority Pass-network standard, open daily 04:00–21:00, with an island bar, TV lounge, a child-free library area, hot and cold food, and free Wi-Fi throughout. From £38 pre-booked, and pre-booked guests can arrive up to three hours before their flight.
• My Lounge (North) — previously operated for a period as "The Gateway by easyJet" with free entry for easyJet FLEXI ticket holders; that partnership ended in October 2024 and it reverted to standard My Lounge branding. Includes a games room with a large TV screen alongside the usual food and drink, making it one of the more family-friendly options on either side of the airport. Reviewers rate it below its South Terminal sister lounge.
• Plaza Premium Lounge (North) — accepts Priority Pass and Amex Platinum/Centurion, from £40.
• Plaza Express (North) — the budget option, cash/card only, no Priority Pass, from £28.
• Clubrooms (North) — table service and Fast Track security included, adults-only (no under-12s), from £44.
• Emirates Lounge — 1,590m², Gatwick's largest lounge. Reserved for Emirates First and Business Class passengers and Emirates Skywards Gold/Platinum members; Emirates economy passengers can sometimes buy paid access directly through Emirates, but it isn't open to other airlines' passengers.

Note on Club Aspire North: older lounge lists still mention a Club Aspire in the North Terminal. It closed permanently in October 2021 and hasn't reopened under that name — if you see it listed elsewhere, that information is out of date.

Gatwick South Terminal lounges

South Terminal has the stronger reputation among reviewers, largely because it's the only side with British Airways' own lounges and the only lounge with an outdoor terrace.

• My Lounge (South) — Gatwick's only lounge with an outdoor terrace and apron views. Consistently rated above the North Terminal My Lounge in customer reviews.
• No1 Lounge (South) — same pricing and access structure as the North Terminal branch, from £38.
• Club Aspire (South) — reopened March 2023 after a pandemic-era closure. Runway-facing glass wall, semi-private seating booths. Priority Pass/DragonPass accepted but pre-booking is strongly advised — walk-ups aren't guaranteed entry.
• Clubrooms (South) — same model as North: table service, Fast Track included, adults-only.
• British Airways Club Lounge — for BA First, Club World and Club Europe ticket holders, BA Executive Club Silver/Gold, and Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald (who can bring one guest). No public walk-in sale.
• British Airways First Lounge — restricted further to BA First passengers, BA Executive Club Gold and Oneworld Emerald only.

Every route into a Gatwick lounge, ranked by cost

1. Flying business or first class on BA/Oneworld or Emirates. Included with the ticket — the only way into the British Airways lounges or full access to the Emirates Lounge.
2. Airline elite status. Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald unlocks the BA lounges regardless of cabin; Emirates Skywards Gold/Platinum unlocks the Emirates Lounge.
3. Amex Platinum or Centurion. Confirmed as accepted at Club Aspire South (eight free annual visits per cardholder) and generally recognised across the Collinson-operated lounges — No1, My Lounge, Clubrooms and Club Aspire. Worth confirming acceptance at the specific lounge when booking, as coverage varies.
4. Priority Pass, DragonPass or LoungeKey membership. Covers No1 Lounge, My Lounge, Plaza Premium and Club Aspire South. No1 Lounge adds a £6 booking fee to guarantee a slot; Clubrooms adds a £15 supplement on top of membership.
5. Pre-booked day pass. From £28 (Plaza Express) up to £44+ (Clubrooms). Always cheaper booked in advance than at the door.
6. Walk-in on the day. Possible at most lounges subject to space, but the least reliable and usually the most expensive option — not recommended if you have a specific lounge in mind.

Is a Gatwick lounge worth it?

The maths works best on the same three scenarios as any UK airport: a long-haul departure with two or more hours before boarding, an early-morning short-haul flight where a proper breakfast beats airside fast food, and travelling with children who need somewhere calmer to wait. Gatwick's mid-range lounges (No1, My Lounge, Plaza Premium) at £34–£40 comfortably cover the cost of food and drink you'd otherwise buy airside for two adults.

It's a harder case for a short-haul flight with under 90 minutes before boarding, or if Priority Pass only gets you into a lounge you'd have to queue for without a pre-booked slot — Club Aspire South in particular isn't a reliable walk-up even for members.

Dress code: most Gatwick lounges operate a smart-casual policy — sportswear, swimwear and bare feet are typically not permitted. No1 Lounge and Clubrooms both enforce this; check the specific lounge's terms when booking, as policies vary slightly by operator.

Getting to your Gatwick lounge from Aylesbury

Gatwick is the longest of the standard airport runs from Aylesbury at roughly 80 miles and 90 minutes via the M25 and M23, so getting the terminal right matters more here than for Luton or Stansted. From Aylesbury we run a fixed-price Gatwick taxi from £105 that drops at the correct terminal — North or South, same price — with your flight tracked in real time so the timing lines up whichever lounge you've booked. Driver details are confirmed the night before. If you're unsure which terminal your flight uses, our Gatwick North vs South Terminal guide covers every airline.

Bottom line

South Terminal has the better lounges overall — the outdoor terrace at My Lounge South and the two British Airways lounges aren't available on the North side. North Terminal wins on choice and has the sole Emirates Lounge, though that's largely inaccessible unless you're flying Emirates. For an occasional traveller, Plaza Express (£28) or My Lounge (£34) pre-booked online are the best value; for four or more trips a year, Priority Pass covers most of the airport's lounges bar Clubrooms' supplement and the airline-exclusive options.

Researched July 2026. Lounge access rules and prices change — confirm with the operator before travelling.

Related guides

• Gatwick North or South Terminal — Which One Do You Need?
• Heathrow Airport Lounges 2026 — cost, access and which one to pick.
• Airport Parking vs Private Transfer — real cost comparison for a week away.
• How early should you leave Aylesbury for the airport?