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:
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.
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 contact them using this form.
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 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 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.
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;
