Gatwick Airport Special Assistance

London Gatwick Airport caters for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility and can extend their service to fulfil your requirements. In both the North and South terminal of Gatwick Airport you will find the following facilities on offer:

Ramps
Wider access pathways
Telephones at a height accessible to wheelchair users
Disabled toilet facilities, including Changing Places facilities, located airside in both terminals.
Reserved seating for disabled people in check-in areas
Wheelchairs
Buggies
PRM only area in the departure lounge
Assistance lanes

The airport recommends contacting your airline at least 48 hours before you fly to ensure you can book specific mobility services to get you on your flight in time and you may need to inform your airline of any mobility items you will need to take on the flight with you such as wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

If you need help while at the airport and you haven’t pre-booked any assistance, you can speak to an assistant at one of the help desks located in the terminal. Please be aware however that passengers that have pre-booked will be a priority, but the team will try their best to accommodate your needs

Getting around Gatwick Airport

Hidden Disabilities

If you or someone you are travelling with have a hidden disability such as autism, IBD or dementia, for example, it can sometimes be a daunting task to navigate through an airport. This is why Gatwick are proud to offer a discreet lanyard that can be worn throughout your time in the terminal. The lanyard will notify staff that you may require a little extra support or time to get through security, but it won’t tell staff or other travellers which disability you have. Simply head to one of the Assistance Reception areas to pick one up with no need to pre-book. For further information, contact the team on hiddendisability@gatwickairport.com

Blue Badge Parking at Gatwick Airport

Special assistance help points for all those with a disability or mobility difficulties are located on both terminal forecourts, short stay car parks, stations, baggage reclaim halls and on some routes within the terminals where there are long walking distances. There are special drop-off points on the forecourts for passengers for Blue Badge holders or passengers who’ve booked assistance at the airport. There are also help points located nearby in case you need extra assistance.

Gatwick Airport Special Assistance - special assistance parking

Moving through the airport

Passengers should head to the departure lounge desk after check-in and security, where the concierge will check their boarding pass and provide them with a pager to alert them when their flight is due to board. If the passenger cannot manage stairs they will need to inform the concierge who will make arrangements to get the passenger on the plane. You can also use the specific reserved seating in the PRM area of the departure lounge while you await your flight.

Travel-Care is a charity offering assistance to anyone at London Gatwick Airport who may have a problem or need help. Travel-Care can be found in The Village, South Terminal.

Gatwick Airport Special Assistance – Sensory Room

Gatwick became the first airport in the Uk to open a sensory room in an attempt to help calm passengers who feel overwhelmed in busy and unfamiliar airport surroundings.

It sits in the North Terminal and is designed specifically for people with autism, dementia, cognitive impairment or other special needs.

Passengers using the room have the opportunity to manipulate the lighting to create a range of different looks and feels for the room; you can transform the space into a calming and relaxing environment or a stimulating interactive space full of light and sound with just the flick of a switch. The room also comes equipped with a ‘chill-out zone’ filled with floor cushions, bean bags and digital display panels, which generate colourful visual wall features.

Gatwick Airport Special Assistance Waiting Area

Gatwick Airport have opened a specialist lounge-style area in the North Terminal, close to the departure lounge, and has been created to give a relaxed and welcoming feeling for passengers who require special assistance. It seats 90 passengers and comes with a host of useful features to help travellers relax before a flight. You can expect; easy access, a dedicated reception area with hearing induction loops, a water fountain and toilet facilities, as well as numerous charging points for passenger transport vehicles and personal electronic devices. Passengers can also control specific LED lighting for various areas of the lounge, based on their preference. Make sure to check out further details on this lounge via our article in our news section

Tips for Air Passengers Needing Special Assistance at Gatwick

Compare before you book – You should compare the arrangements offered by different airlines before making your booking and be sure to check whether the cost of any special assistance is included in the price of your ticket.
Tell your airline – Inform your airline of your particular needs in good time and check the policy of your airline if you wish to remain in your own wheelchair to the aircraft door rather than transfer to an airline wheelchair at check-in.
Check Gatwick’s Security – This is an important step if you’re taking medication, assistance animals or aids with you through the airport. If you have any doubts about what you can and cannot take through security, feel free to call up a customer adviser or contact the airport on social media.

Plan your route into Gatwick – Plan your route to the airport is paramount. This can be simple things like checking you get into the right carriage on the train to be assisted off. Alternatively, it could be about planning a road route with “pit stops” on the way if you needed to take a break.
Plan getting around the airport – Remember that there are often long walking distances within airports and that this may cause you to require assistance. Pre-arranging any necessary assistance will ensure that it’s available and that no time is lost in waiting for it to be arranged once you arrive at the airport.

Articles you may find interesting on special assistance in airports

Airport Parking Shop work hard to continually raise awareness of the difficulties faced when travelling for disabled passengers. Here are a few of their articles you may find to be interesting and helpful resources;