Useful information
Gatwick Airport with Children
Gatwick’s family facilities include baby-care areas, Kids Zones and family security lanes. These help make the airport easier to navigate with children; they are not a childminding service, and parents or carers remain responsible for supervision.
Family facilities in North Terminal
Feeding and changing. Look for baby-care signs showing a bottle or infant symbol. Feeding and changing facilities are provided around the terminal, with changing tables in designated rooms and some toilets. Consult the current map for a convenient facility near check-in, departures or arrivals.
Play areas: Kids Zones after security give children somewhere to play while waiting for a flight. Check the current terminal map for the location and supervise your children throughout their visit.
Family facilities in South Terminal
Feeding and changing. Look for baby-care signs showing a bottle or infant symbol. Feeding and changing facilities are provided around the terminal, with changing tables in designated rooms and some toilets. Consult the current map for a convenient facility near check-in, departures or arrivals.
Play areas: look for the current Kids Zone after security. It is a space for supervised play, so remain with your children and keep enough time to reach the boarding gate.
Shops and restaurants
Toy and game shopping includes Hamleys. Check Gatwick’s current retail directory for the terminal and location available on your journey rather than relying on an old store listing.
WHSmith and other terminal shops can be useful for books, colouring activities and travel essentials, subject to stock and opening hours. Many airport restaurants offer children’s choices or simple snacks; check the menu before settling down for a meal.
Interterminal shuttle
The free shuttle links North and South terminals every few minutes, with a journey of about 2 minutes. Follow the interterminal shuttle signs and allow time for the walk to your onward destination. At South Terminal, signs also lead towards the railway station.
Flying with infants and young children
Seating and restraint arrangements for infants depend on the airline, aircraft and child. Confirm the permitted options before booking; the following are common arrangements to discuss with your carrier.
Travelling on an adult’s lap. Where the airline permits this, an infant travels with the restraint supplied or approved by the crew, following their instructions whenever it must be used. Do not place an infant unrestrained in an empty adjacent seat. Ask the airline about its specific age limits, seating rules and safety requirements before travelling.
Booking a separate seat. If the airline allows a child restraint in a purchased seat, confirm that the model is approved for the aircraft and appropriate for your child. Check its certification, dimensions and installation method before you travel, and bring the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not assume that the airline supplies a child seat or accepts every car seat. Also confirm how any pushchair, travel cot and other equipment count towards your baggage allowance, and how they will be handed over at the airport.
Child-seat rules vary across all airlines, not only low-cost carriers. Acceptance depends on the restraint, aircraft seating and the airline’s policy, so obtain confirmation before bringing a seat to the airport.