Is it worth booking a lounge?

[stormflm595]

Thinking of booking a lounge at Gatwick for the morning we fly but is it worth it in terms of how much you pay (£32) for what you receive?

Haven't used one before but thought it might be a way to stay relaxed as I'm a nervous flyer. Can you leave and look around the shops for a bit and then return?

[chrisxal]

I have tried lounges and each time I am disappointed and think, why did I bother. I love the atmosphere and the buzz of the airport and I love people watching, sadly I found the lounge too quiet and boring just a few business travellers reading the paper or sitting with their laptops. However I'm sure you will have lots of responses saying they love it, good job we are all different.

[BrightlyBob]

I’ve had lounge access included in tickets quite a few times and can safely say that with the exception of the Virgin LHR lounge none are worth £30pp for your normal sub 2-hour wait (after checking in luggage and going through security).

I have however paid for lounges twice, once on a 5-hour layover and a second time when whilst waiting in security I received an update indicating my transatlantic flight time had been postponed by 2 hours meaning I would now have 4 hours to kill airside. Both times were well worth the £25 I paid.

[BrightlyBob]

And your question, yes, you can stroll in and out the Lounge as you please during your time there. They are certainly far more relaxed than the terminal...

[Raggyavn]

Is it worth paying extra for a seat at the airport and some "free food".

In my mind no, I turn up at the airport do the duty free walk, identify some where that sells Tea & Coffee and sit down and watch the aeroplanes. The "french style" cafe at Gatwick used to always fairly quiet and seats were always plentiful and even if I had to buy breakfast it still wouldn't cost £32 per head.

BUT I acknowledge that others have differing opinions.

[tpm76]

I don't use them unless it's part of a ticket as in Premium Economy with lounge included. Paid a couple of times in the past and wouldn't again, that was Glasgow mind you.

[Guest]

This year We not doing it. Going to bag a table in wetherspoons for breakfast and then wander round the shops. Last time I payed for lounge the security took 2 hours which only left an hour to enjoy the lounge, i may change my mind if there's a flight delay tho

[Guest]

We are nearly always in a lounge as usually one of us has frequent flyer status. No way would I pay £30 for it though, not unless I was going to be in there for eight hours on a long stopover! It is just a seat and some fairly average food in most cases.

[NewtoOrlando]

I won't book them unless they're on offer, we used the My Lounge at Gatwick last summer as we got it half price and free premium security thrown in. The food was average at best, the kids barely ate but did enjoy the PlayStation and the football table for a bit. I definelty wouldn't pay full price. The No 1 Lounge at Heathrow T3 is £115 for the 4 of us this year as my oldest is now over 12, and to be honest we could have something to eat in one of the terminal restaurants for way less than that! We don't drink before a long flight so won't make the most of the alcohol either. You can up and leave when you like, depending on what one your in as some of them are a bit of a walk to the shopping area. It's horses for courses though, some love them some don't, we were indifferent!

[Dutchdisneyfan]

We had booked a Lounge for our 4 hour wait at LGW flying home from TPA (to AMS).
2 adults 2 kids for 120 pounds.
It was a life saver, my tweens had good wifi and we had food/drinks.
We stayed the full 3 hours and would do it again in a heartbeat.