The news is still full of issues for travellers leaving from and arriving back at UK airports although the issues seem to be confined to airports north of me in Manchester and Birmingham. We’ll be using Gatwick soon and as, in my advancing years, I become a more nervous traveller, I feel an intense need to plan ahead. What are the queues really like ? I also see UK passengers returning from Spanish airports are reported to also be experiencing long delays getting through immigration. Perhaps I need to ask that question separately. Andy
I have returned from Almeria on the 20th of April into Gatwick and everything was fine, no queues at immigration. We went through the Egates for the passport control, a bit quicker. For Spain I guess it depends where you fly to and how big is the airport. Almeria is quite small and the immigration had only 2 gates available both serving EU and non EU passengers, but in all we were in the queue less than 20 mins I think. When we went out from Gatwick the only queues, and quite long, were at the check-in. We travelled with Vueling and they tend to check-in any passengers for any flights departing within the next 3-4 hours, but credit to the check-in staff they were very quick and more than 10 desks were opened at the time. My suggestion is arrive at the check-in at least 2 hrs before scheduled departure time, especially if you need to check baggage in.
You're very welcome. I worked for 25yrs in LHR, so ask me anything. In any case travelling might be stressful but it's all part of the holiday so just relax and enjoy.
Yesterday, May 3rd from Barcelona (Aragon TD). You just need a valid NHS vacc QR on your phone for out & return. Take a proper PP2 mask for the plane. No abnormal queues at either end.
I’ve been out of stanstead and Gatwick in the last 6 months and it was fine. not relevant I’m sure you’re saying to yourself, but the news was also talking shit then as well. Same with the ports etc. If it’s in the news, it’s probably bollocks. don’t think you need the covid crap anymore either. Mine wasn’t checked anyhow
The most recent guidance (from the Spanish Ministry of Health) says, if you are fully vaccinated, the UK NHS QR code is accepted at Spanish air ports and you don’t need to fill in the Spanish form beforehand. This is also corroborated by the UK .gov web site guidance. Andy
That is true. Just make sure you update your NHS app so the valid date is later than your arrival and departure date.
I flew out of Gatwick on Friday. No issues whatsoever. I downloaded my boarding pass into my phone then went straight to security. There was a bit of a queue for the peasants flying cattle class, but it was moving fairly quickly. I cleared security in under 10 minutes.
For the entry in Spain download the SPTH App on your phone. With that enter your travel dates and scan your most recent jab/booster and the app will issue a qr code that will allow you to enter Spain. The qr code is checked by the health dept. after the passport checks.
If you are from the UK the SPTH is no longer a requirement. Up to date NHS Covid vacc QR was accepted by the scanner on arrival in Barcelona last weekend.
Few people have more critical than me of EasyJet, but I have to say the last I flew with them they were excellent. I fly regularly for work with many airlines, I find if you fly on holiday from LGW you are treated completely differently and it’s rarely a good experience.
Flying turned to shit after 9/11 and they started making you take your shoes off. I hate it now and avoid at all costs feel like a criminal walking round an airport (and of course I understand why). Give me a road trip any day of the week now
I’ve never had any issues flying out of Gatwick, and have travelled from there hundreds of times over the years. Now, Heathrow on the other hand, that’s another story.
I think it depends on the time of your flights. My daughter flew to Amsterdam on Saturday at 6:30am, she got there 2 hrs early and breezed through in 15 mins. On the way back from Amsterdam on Monday afternoon she arrived 2 hrs early and ‘just’ made her flight. She said it was chaos there. They actually held the flight for 30 mins as so many people were still held up in security. Gatwick though was fairly easy once she landed.
