Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families (2027)

Choosing between the Gatwick Airport lounges can be confusing, especially when you’re travelling as a family. Gatwick has several lounges across its North and South terminals, ranging from relaxed family-friendly spaces to more premium lounges with table service.

For families, the best lounge isn’t necessarily the most expensive. Kids’ areas, food, comfortable seating, terminal location and how long you can stay can matter far more when you’re travelling with children.

In this guide, we’ll compare the best Gatwick Airport lounges for families, including No1 Lounge, My Lounge, Plaza Premium, Plaza Express, Club Aspire and Clubrooms, and explain which we’d choose for different types of traveller.

Best Gatwick Airport Lounges: Quick Answer

If you’re travelling with younger children from Gatwick North Terminal, we’d look particularly closely at Plaza Premium or Plaza Express because both currently have dedicated Kids Zones. Plaza Express is positioned as the more affordable option, while Plaza Premium provides a more premium lounge experience.

My Lounge is another strong family option and is available in both North and South terminals, with a relaxed atmosphere, games facilities and food and drinks included.

For families flying from South Terminal, we’d compare My Lounge, No1 Lounge and Club Aspire. Club Aspire includes buffet food, drinks, quiet areas and runway views.

Clubrooms is different: it’s aimed at a quieter, more premium experience and Gatwick currently states that its general access is for passengers over 12, so it wouldn’t be our choice for families with younger children.

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Early Pick

Families with younger children: Plaza Premium / Plaza Express
Relaxed family atmosphere: My Lounge
South Terminal family option: Club Aspire
Premium experience with older children/adults: Clubrooms

Gatwick Airport Lounges Compared: North vs South Terminal

The first thing to check when choosing a Gatwick Airport lounge is which terminal you’re flying from. Some lounges are available in both terminals, while others are exclusive to either Gatwick North or South Terminal.

Families flying from the North Terminal currently have the widest choice, including two lounges with dedicated kids’ areas. South Terminal still has several strong options, including My Lounge and Club Aspire.

Lounge	Terminal	Family fit	Kids area	Stay	Our pick
Plaza Premium	North	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅	Up to 3 hrs	🏆 Younger families
Plaza Express	North	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅	Up to 2 hrs	💷 Value with kids
My Lounge	North & South	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Games/kids areas	Up to 3 hrs	😎 Relaxed families
No1 Lounge	North & South	⭐⭐⭐⭐	No dedicated kids zone	Up to 3 hrs	✈️ All-rounder
Club Aspire	South	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Family-friendly	Check booking	🌅 South Terminal
Clubrooms	North & South	⭐⭐*	No	Up to 3 hrs	🥂 Premium/12+

*Clubrooms is a strong premium option, but because general access is for passengers over 12, we’ve scored it lower specifically for families with younger children — not because it’s a poorer lounge.

Plaza Premium Lounge Gatwick — Best for Families with Younger Kids

If you’re flying from Gatwick North Terminal with younger children, Plaza Premium is one of the first lounges we’d consider.

The big family advantage is its dedicated Kids Zone. Rather than simply being a lounge that allows children, it actually provides an area designed to keep younger travellers occupied while parents get a chance to relax.

What Does Plaza Premium Gatwick Include?

• Dedicated Kids Zone
• Food and drinks
• Comfortable lounge seating
• Wi-Fi
• Charging points
• Flight information
• Up to three hours in the lounge

Who Is Plaza Premium Best For?

We’d particularly consider Plaza Premium for families with younger children who want somewhere more comfortable to spend the time between security and boarding.

The Kids Zone is the standout feature. If you’ve ever tried keeping an excited child entertained at the departure gate for two or three hours, you’ll understand why that can make a surprisingly big difference.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

🏆 BEST FOR YOUNGER FAMILIES

Plaza Premium gets our pick for families with younger children flying from Gatwick North Terminal.

You may find cheaper lounge options, but the combination of a dedicated children’s area, included food and drinks and somewhere comfortable to relax makes it one of the strongest family choices at Gatwick.

Plaza Express Gatwick — Best Value Lounge for Families

Plaza Express at Gatwick North Terminal is an interesting alternative to Plaza Premium, particularly if you’re travelling as a family and want to keep the cost down.

It still offers one of the features we value most for families — a dedicated Kids Zone — but is designed as a simpler, more affordable lounge experience.

What Does Plaza Express Gatwick Include?

• Dedicated Kids Zone
• Food and drinks
• Comfortable seating
• Wi-Fi
• Charging facilities
• Up to two hours in the lounge

Who Is Plaza Express Best For?

We’d look at Plaza Express if you want the benefit of getting away from the main terminal without necessarily paying for a more premium lounge experience.

It’s particularly appealing for families with younger children because you’re still getting a dedicated children’s area.

The shorter stay may actually be enough for many families. Two hours gives you time for something to eat, a drink and a chance for the children to settle before heading towards your gate.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

💷 BEST VALUE FOR FAMILIES

If Plaza Express is noticeably cheaper than Plaza Premium for your dates, we’d be tempted to save the money and choose Express.

For families who mainly want food, somewhere comfortable to sit and a Kids Zone, it potentially offers everything you actually need from an airport lounge.

Plaza Premium vs Plaza Express Gatwick: Which Is Better?

If you’re flying from Gatwick North Terminal with children, Plaza Premium and Plaza Express are two of the most interesting lounges to compare.

Both offer a dedicated Kids Zone, but they’re aimed at slightly different travellers.

Choose Plaza Express if:

• Keeping the cost down is your priority
• Two hours in the lounge is enough
• You mainly want food, drinks and somewhere comfortable to relax
• Having a Kids Zone is more important than having a premium lounge experience

Choose Plaza Premium if:

• You’d prefer a more premium lounge experience
• You want up to three hours in the lounge
• You’re planning to arrive at the airport particularly early
• You’re happy to pay a little more if the price difference is reasonable

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For most families, we’d check the price difference before deciding.

If Plaza Express is considerably cheaper, we’d choose Plaza Express and put the saving towards the holiday.

If the difference is relatively small, we’d choose Plaza Premium for the longer stay and more premium experience.

Either way, having a dedicated Kids Zone makes both particularly appealing for families travelling with younger children.

My Lounge Gatwick — Best Relaxed Family Lounge

My Lounge is available at both Gatwick North and South terminals and offers a more informal airport lounge experience than some of the premium alternatives.

For families, that relaxed atmosphere can actually be a big advantage. Rather than worrying about children being perfectly quiet in a formal lounge, My Lounge is designed to feel more casual, with games and entertainment alongside the usual lounge facilities.

What Does My Lounge Gatwick Include?

• Food and drinks
• Comfortable informal seating
• Games and entertainment
• Wi-Fi
• Charging facilities
• Up to three hours in the lounge
• Locations at both North and South terminals

Is My Lounge Good for Families?

Yes — we’d put My Lounge high on the shortlist for families, particularly those travelling with older children who may not need a dedicated Kids Zone but would still appreciate games and somewhere more relaxed than the departure area.

It’s also particularly useful for families flying from Gatwick South Terminal, where Plaza Premium and Plaza Express aren’t options.

My Lounge North vs South Terminal

Both give you the same basic proposition: a relaxed place away from the main terminal with food and drinks included.

We wouldn’t choose between them — your departure terminal effectively makes that decision for you. Always book the lounge located airside in the terminal you’re actually flying from.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

My Lounge would be one of our first choices for families who want a relaxed atmosphere rather than a premium experience.

For North Terminal families with younger children, we’d still compare it with Plaza Premium and Plaza Express because of their dedicated Kids Zones.

For South Terminal families, however, My Lounge is one of the strongest options we’d compare first.

No1 Lounge Gatwick — Best All-Rounder

No1 Lounge is available at both Gatwick North and South terminals, making it one of the easiest lounge options to consider regardless of which terminal you’re flying from.

It offers a more traditional airport lounge experience than My Lounge, with comfortable seating, food and drinks and quieter areas away from the main departure terminal.

What Does No1 Lounge Gatwick Include?

• Food and drinks
• Comfortable lounge seating
• Wi-Fi
• Charging facilities
• Flight information
• Quieter areas for relaxing
• Locations at both North and South terminals

Is No1 Lounge Gatwick Good for Families?

Yes. No1 Lounge welcomes families, although we’d view it slightly differently from Plaza Premium, Plaza Express and My Lounge.

There isn’t the same emphasis on a dedicated children’s area, so families with very young children may prefer one of the lounges specifically offering a Kids Zone.

For families with older children or teenagers, however, No1 Lounge can be a very good all-round option — particularly if everyone mainly wants somewhere comfortable to sit, eat and relax before the flight.

No1 Lounge North vs South Terminal

No1 Lounge operates at both Gatwick terminals, so make sure you book the lounge for the terminal you’re actually departing from.

Rather than choosing your terminal based on which No1 Lounge looks best, we’d compare No1 with the other lounges available in your departure terminal.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

No1 Lounge is our all-rounder.

For younger children at North Terminal, we’d favour Plaza Premium or Plaza Express because of their Kids Zones.

For older children, teenagers and adults who want a more traditional lounge experience, No1 Lounge becomes much more appealing.

Club Aspire Gatwick — Strong South Terminal Option

Club Aspire is another lounge worth considering if you’re flying from Gatwick South Terminal.

It offers a more traditional airport lounge experience, giving families somewhere to sit away from the busy departure area with food and drinks included.

What Does Club Aspire Gatwick Include?

• Buffet-style food
• Drinks
• Comfortable seating
• Wi-Fi
• Charging facilities
• Quiet areas
• Runway views

Is Club Aspire Gatwick Good for Families?

Yes. Club Aspire can work well for families who mainly want somewhere comfortable to eat, have a drink and relax before boarding.

For younger children, we’d still look carefully at lounges with more dedicated family facilities where available. But for families with older children and teenagers, Club Aspire can be a strong South Terminal option.

The runway views may also be a bonus if your children enjoy watching aircraft while you’re waiting for your flight.

Club Aspire vs My Lounge at Gatwick South Terminal

These two lounges suit slightly different families.

Choose My Lounge if you prefer a more informal atmosphere with games and a relaxed family feel.

Choose Club Aspire if you’d rather have a more traditional airport lounge experience with quieter areas and runway views.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For families flying from South Terminal, we’d compare Club Aspire and My Lounge first.

We’d lean towards My Lounge for younger or more energetic children, while Club Aspire may suit families with older children and teenagers who mainly want food, comfortable seating and somewhere quieter before the flight.

Clubrooms Gatwick — Best Premium Lounge for Older Families

Clubrooms is the premium option in the Gatwick lounge line-up and is aimed at travellers looking for a quieter, more refined experience before their flight.

Unlike the more casual lounges, Clubrooms focuses on comfortable seating, a calmer atmosphere and a more premium food and drink experience.

For families, however, there’s an important restriction to know about: Clubrooms is generally aimed at passengers aged 12 and over, so it isn’t an option we’d consider when travelling with younger children.

What Does Clubrooms Gatwick Include?

• Premium lounge environment
• Food and drinks
• Comfortable seating
• Quieter atmosphere
• Wi-Fi
• Charging facilities
• Up to three hours in the lounge

Is Clubrooms Gatwick Good for Families?

That depends entirely on the age of your children.

For families with younger children, we’d choose one of Gatwick’s more family-focused lounges instead.

But if you’re travelling with teenagers aged 12+, Clubrooms becomes much more interesting. A quieter premium lounge could be a very pleasant way to start a special family holiday, particularly if you’re celebrating something or heading away on a long-haul trip.

Clubrooms vs No1 Lounge Gatwick

Choose No1 Lounge if you want a good all-round lounge that’s suitable for a wider range of families.

Choose Clubrooms if everyone in your party meets the age requirements and you’re happy to pay more for a quieter, more premium experience.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

Clubrooms isn’t our overall family winner — but that’s largely because of the age restriction.

For a family travelling with teenagers, particularly before a special or long-haul holiday, Clubrooms could be one of the nicest ways to start the trip.

For families with younger children, we’d look at Plaza Premium, Plaza Express or My Lounge instead.

Which Gatwick Airport Lounge Is Best for Your Family?

With several Gatwick Airport lounges to choose from, our pick would depend mainly on your departure terminal, the age of your children and whether you want value or a more premium experience.

Best for Families with Younger Children

🏆 Plaza Premium — Gatwick North Terminal

The dedicated Kids Zone gives Plaza Premium the edge for families with younger children. You get somewhere comfortable to relax, food and drinks, plus an area specifically designed to keep children entertained.

Best Value for Families

💷 Plaza Express — Gatwick North Terminal

If Plaza Express is noticeably cheaper for your dates, we’d seriously consider it. You still get a Kids Zone and the core lounge benefits, but in a simpler package with a shorter stay.

Best Relaxed Family Lounge

😎 My Lounge — North & South Terminals

My Lounge would be our choice for families who don’t want a particularly formal lounge experience. The more casual atmosphere and games make it especially attractive when travelling with children.

Best for Gatwick South Terminal Families

✈️ My Lounge or Club Aspire

We’d choose My Lounge for a relaxed family atmosphere and Club Aspire if you prefer a more traditional lounge with quieter areas and runway views.

Best for Families with Teenagers

⭐ No1 Lounge

Once children are older, dedicated Kids Zones become less important. No1 Lounge is a strong all-rounder for families with teenagers who mainly want somewhere comfortable to eat and relax before flying.

Best Premium Option

🥂 Clubrooms — for eligible older families

If everyone in your party meets the age requirements and you want to make the airport part of the holiday experience, Clubrooms is the premium choice we’d investigate.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Don’t choose a lounge from the name alone. Check which terminal you’re flying from first, then compare the lounges available for your departure time and party.

Prices and availability can change, so our favourite lounge at one price might not be our favourite if another option is considerably cheaper on your travel date.

Are Gatwick Airport Lounges Worth It for Families?

Whether a Gatwick Airport lounge is worth paying for depends on your family, your flight time and how much the lounge costs on your travel date.

For us, the biggest benefit isn’t necessarily the free food or drinks — it’s having somewhere more comfortable to spend the time before a flight.

With children, the departure lounge can mean finding seats together, buying food and drinks separately and trying to keep everyone entertained while you wait. A good airport lounge can make that part of the journey considerably easier.

When We’d Pay for a Gatwick Lounge

• You’re travelling with children and expect a long wait before boarding
• You want food and drinks before the flight
• Your chosen lounge has a Kids Zone or entertainment
• You’re flying early and would normally buy breakfast at the airport
• You want somewhere quieter and more comfortable to sit
• You’re starting a special family holiday
• The price difference compared with buying food and drinks in the terminal isn’t huge

When We’d Probably Save the Money

• You’ll only have a short time between security and boarding
• Your family isn’t likely to eat or drink much
• The lounge price is particularly high for your travel date
• You already have lounge access through a bank account, credit card or membership
• Your children would rather explore the shops and terminal than sit in a lounge

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Don’t judge the value of a lounge purely by the admission price.

Work out roughly what your family would otherwise spend on breakfast, lunch, snacks, soft drinks or a couple of alcoholic drinks in the terminal.

If you are undecided, see our Gatwick Airport restaurants guide to compare the food options before paying for lounge access.

If you’d already spend a reasonable amount before boarding, the extra cost of a lounge can sometimes be much smaller than it first appears.

How Much Do Gatwick Airport Lounges Cost?

There isn’t one fixed price for Gatwick Airport lounges. The amount you pay can vary depending on the lounge, your travel date, departure time, availability and the number and ages of people in your party.

That’s why we’d always compare the available lounges for your actual flight rather than choosing one based on an advertised “from” price.

What Can Affect Gatwick Lounge Prices?

• The lounge you choose
• North or South Terminal
• Your travel date
• Your departure time
• Adult and child prices
• How far ahead you book
• Availability on the day

For a family, it’s worth comparing the total price for everyone rather than simply looking at the cheapest individual admission price.

A slightly more expensive lounge may offer facilities that are much more useful for your family, while a cheaper lounge could be perfectly adequate if you mainly want food, drinks and somewhere comfortable to sit.

What to Know Before Booking a Gatwick Airport Lounge

Before booking a Gatwick Airport lounge, there are a few practical things we’d always check — particularly when travelling as a family.

How Early Can You Enter a Gatwick Airport Lounge?

Most lounge bookings give you a set amount of time before your flight, commonly around two or three hours depending on the lounge and booking. Your usable time may be shorter once you allow for security, walking to the lounge and reaching your gate before boarding.

Check the entry time shown when you book rather than arriving much earlier and assuming you’ll be allowed straight in.

Are Food and Drinks Included in Gatwick Lounges?

Food and drinks are generally included with lounge admission, although exactly what’s available varies between lounges.

If food is an important part of the value for your family, check what’s included before booking — particularly if you have children with specific tastes or dietary requirements.

Can Children Use Gatwick Airport Lounges?

Yes, several Gatwick lounges welcome families and children.

Some are particularly well suited to younger families. Plaza Premium and Plaza Express at North Terminal stand out because of their dedicated Kids Zones, while My Lounge offers a more informal family-friendly atmosphere.

Always check the current age policy for your chosen lounge before booking. This is particularly important with Clubrooms, which has different age restrictions from Gatwick’s more family-focused lounges.

Do You Need to Pre-Book a Gatwick Lounge?

We would.

Airport lounges have limited capacity, and availability can be particularly important during school holidays and busy travel periods.

Pre-booking also lets you compare the total price for your family before arriving at the airport rather than relying on walk-in availability.

Does It Matter Which Gatwick Terminal You Fly From?

Absolutely.

You should book a lounge in the same terminal your flight departs from. Don’t book a North Terminal lounge if you’re flying from South Terminal simply because you prefer that lounge.

Check your airline and departure terminal before making the booking.

Is There a Dress Code for Gatwick Airport Lounges?

Lounges generally expect smart-casual, appropriate clothing, but individual lounge policies can vary.

Normal comfortable travel clothes shouldn’t usually be a problem, but we’d check your chosen lounge’s current entry conditions if you’re unsure.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Before paying, check three things one final time:

• You’re booking the correct Gatwick terminal
• Everyone in your party meets the lounge’s age requirements
• The lounge entry time works with your flight

Those simple checks can prevent most lounge-booking mistakes.

Gatwick Airport Lounges FAQs

Which is the best Gatwick Airport lounge for families?

For families with younger children flying from North Terminal, we’d look first at Plaza Premium or Plaza Express because of their Kids Zones. My Lounge is another strong family choice and is particularly useful because there are options at both Gatwick terminals.

Which Gatwick lounge is best for children?

For younger children, we’d favour Plaza Premium or Plaza Express at North Terminal because dedicated children’s facilities can make the wait before a flight much easier.

For older children and teenagers, My Lounge or No1 Lounge may be more appealing.

What is the best lounge at Gatwick South Terminal?

For families, we’d compare My Lounge and Club Aspire first. My Lounge has a more informal atmosphere, while Club Aspire offers a more traditional lounge experience.

No1 Lounge is another strong South Terminal all-rounder.

What is the best lounge at Gatwick North Terminal?

For younger families, Plaza Premium is our overall North Terminal pick, with Plaza Express particularly attractive if it’s considerably cheaper.

My Lounge and No1 Lounge are also worth comparing depending on your family’s priorities.

Is it cheaper to pre-book a Gatwick Airport lounge?

Prices can vary by date, time and availability, so we wouldn’t assume you’ll get the best deal by waiting until you arrive.

More importantly, pre-booking secures your space. That’s particularly valuable during school holidays and other busy travel periods.

Is food free in Gatwick Airport lounges?

Food and selected drinks are generally included in the admission price rather than charged separately once you’re inside.

Exactly what’s included varies between lounges, so check the details for your chosen lounge before booking.

Can you stay in a Gatwick lounge for more than three hours?

Standard bookings normally have a specified entry time and stay duration. Some lounges offer around two hours while others allow around three hours.

Check the conditions shown for your particular booking rather than assuming every Gatwick lounge has the same time limit.

Are Gatwick Airport lounges worth it with kids?

They certainly can be.

We think they’re most worthwhile when your family would otherwise spend a reasonable amount on airport food and drinks, you have a long wait before boarding, or your chosen lounge offers facilities your children will actually use.

For a short wait before boarding, we’d probably save the money for the holiday instead.

Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families: Our Verdict

There’s no single best Gatwick Airport lounge for every family — your departure terminal, children’s ages and the price on your travel date all make a difference.

For families with younger children flying from North Terminal, we’d start with Plaza Premium and Plaza Express because of their dedicated Kids Zones.

For a more relaxed family experience, My Lounge is one of our favourites and has the advantage of options at both North and South terminals.

Families with older children and teenagers have more choice. No1 Lounge is a strong all-rounder, while Club Aspire is worth considering at South Terminal. If everyone in your party meets the age requirements and you want something more premium, Clubrooms is the option we’d investigate.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

Don’t automatically book our highest-rated lounge.

Check what’s actually available for your flight and compare the total family price. If two lounges offer what you need but one is considerably cheaper, we’d happily take the saving and spend it on the holiday instead.

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