Carrying medication
Medicines over 100ml, supported by a doctor's note or prescription, are allowed through security. There’s no limit on powder or pills. All medicines are subject to additional security screening and must be kept in a transparent, re-sealable bag.
You need a medical certification letter or a named prescription label on the item to carry:
Insulin- Insulin pumps
- Epipens
- Hypodermic needles
- Medicines
- Children’s medicine
Please check with your airline if you have special requirements before travelling. If you have a genuine medical condition (supported by a letter from your GP/hospital or a named prescription label on the item), there should be no problem taking such items on board.
You may carry medicines that need to be kept cold in a cool bag and include one ice pack in the bag if your doctor's letter states this is necessary.
Non-prescription medicines for children and adults can be purchased in the departure lounge.
Advice for medical conditions
We recommend carrying a signed letter about your condition from your GP or medical practitioner.
Inhalers are allowed in hand luggage, but you must remove them and place in a clear plastic bag to go through the scanner separately. You must pack spare canisters in your hold luggage. You’ll need prior approval from your airline to carry essential medical equipment unless it fits within your hand luggage. Please clearly mark it as ‘essential medical equipment’.
Pacemakers and metal implants
Our security technologies have been assessed by government health regulators as safe for anyone with medical implants. If you have concerns, please speak to a member of our security team.
If you have a pacemaker or any other medical device that may be affected by walking through an archway metal detector, please tell our security officers before going through security. Make sure you have your medical card to state that you are wearing a sensitive medical device.
A hip/joint replacement or metal implants are likely to set off metal detectors. If this happens, you will need to be searched by a security guard. There is no need to bring proof of metal implants with you but letting our security guards know may be helpful.
Medical equipment
Inhalers are allowed in hand luggage, but you must remove them and place in a clear plastic bag to go through the scanner separately. You must pack spare canisters in your hold luggage
If you have specific medical equipment that can’t be X-rayed, tell our security team. They will be happy to carry out an alternative security check.
Please carefully pack any equipment that you need to minimise the likelihood of security team incurring puncture wounds. Please let our security team know that your hand luggage contains your equipment when you present it at security control.
Medical device awareness
Passengers with special medical requirements should not be unnecessarily deprived of items which they may need to ensure health or survival during their trip, so passengers should not be asked to remove any medical devices from their person when passing through security. Any passenger that selects not to go through the scanner for medical reasons and can provide evidence of their condition (e.g. a letter from their GP, possession of medication, or devices such as an insulin pump), must as an alternative be subject to a hand search. Where the passenger would prefer privacy, a private search may also be conducted.
To alleviate any potential anxiety and in the interests of good customer service, hand-held metal detectors should not be used around the chest area for pacemakers, the head for cochlear implants, or the abdomen for pregnant females. All medical exceptions which prevent a person from going through the scanners will be subject to shoe removal; however, where a medical condition precludes this, then the CAA have advised that footwear can be screened visually. They have also provided a Medical Device Awareness Card on their website, which can be downloaded and printed prior to traveling. The card also acts as a reminder to our security officers that alternative processes to screening by security scanner and spare devices by x-ray must be undertaken. Note, however, that the card is not intended to act as a document to provide evidence of your medical condition. You can download and print the Medical Device Awareness Card from the CAA website.
FAQs
This statistic displays how long passengers had to wait in a queue for security screening at Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019. In the airport, 58 percent of respondents had to wait between one to five minutes, while 21 percent had to wait for six to ten minutes.
Has Gatwick scrapped the 100ml rule? ›
"There remains a 100ml max rule for each liquid taken in hand luggage,” said a spokesperson for Bristol Airport. Most UK airports, including London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, still have the restrictions on liquids in place as their new scanners are not yet in place.
How does fast track security work at Gatwick Airport? ›
Fast track security at Gatwick Airport is a service that allows you to bypass the standard security queue and go through a dedicated lane. This can save you a significant amount of time, especially during peak times.
Does Gatwick have the new security scanners? ›
It expects to have many scanners in place by June, but not complete the programme until 2025. A spokesperson for Gatwick said the airport “will have made significant progress installing state-of-the-art next-generation security scanners by June 2024 in both terminals”, and expects to complete work by spring 2025.
Is 2 hours enough for Gatwick Airport? ›
When to arrive: Check your ticket or contact your airline for specific advice on checking-in times. The following times serve as a general guide and generally we recommend you arrive at least two hours before your flight to allow plenty of time.
What is the busiest time at Gatwick Airport? ›
The peak times at London Gatwick Airport is from 7 AM to 10 AM in the morning and 5 PM to 8 PM in the evening.
Does mascara count as a liquid Gatwick? ›
all drinks, including water. liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups. cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss. sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants.
Which airports have removed the 100ml rule? ›
Six airports that lifted the 100ml liquid rule for passengers will be forced to reintroduce it by the Department for Transport from June 9. Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Southend, and Teesside airports all replaced their X-Ray scanners at airport security with next generation CT scanners.
Are masks required at Gatwick Airport? ›
Do I have to wear a face mask at Gatwick Airport? No, you don't need to legally wear a face mask at the airport. However, airport bosses still recommend that passengers wear a face covering when at the airport, according to Gatwick's website.
How long does it take to get through passport control at Gatwick? ›
Passport Control:
Everyone arriving at Gatwick has to go through passport control. This can mean wait times of 5-20 minutes or upwards of 1 hour depending on the amount of passengers being handled.
Overall, it all depends on what type of traveller you are. If you can bear spending an extra few minutes in the queue, then it may not be worth the spend. But if you're travelling with small kids or on a tight turnaround, an Airport Fast Track pass might just save you a headache.
How do you skip the queue at Gatwick? ›
With a Gatwick Fast Track pass you can bypass the long security queues by jumping into a dedicated Fast Track line that will take you straight through to the screening area without the wait. All for £5* per person! As well as security Fast Track, Holiday Extras also offer Passport Control Fast Track.
Is the 100ml rule still in place at Gatwick? ›
Restrictions are already in place at London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, after a deadline for new scanners was extended. Birmingham Airport told the BBC that it was still operating the 100ml limit because it is waiting for regulatory approval for a type of machine it has in place.
Can I take sweets through airport security? ›
Yes, you can take food through airport security. Sandwiches, fruit, sweets and most other solid foods can be placed in your hand luggage. However, this doesn't apply to foods with a high liquid content if they are in a container larger than 100ml.
How early can you get through security before flight Gatwick? ›
Check-in closes 60 minutes before long-haul flights depart and 45 minutes before short-haul flights depart. Pass through security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs. Be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight departs.
How long does it take to get through passport control in Gatwick? ›
Passport Control:
Everyone arriving at Gatwick has to go through passport control. This can mean wait times of 5-20 minutes or upwards of 1 hour depending on the amount of passengers being handled.
Is 1 hour enough time to get through airport security? ›
In general, most airlines recommend being at the airport at least two hours before departure. However, keep in mind here that long walks from the terminal to the gate, or long lines at security checkpoints can easily add up to 30 minutes.
How long does it usually take to get out of Gatwick Airport? ›
It will take on average 1 hour to get out of the airport after landing, although times will vary depending on how busy it is. You'll need to account for time collecting luggage, getting through customs, passing the security checkpoint and walking to your gate.
Is Gatwick Airport hard to get to? ›
Gatwick Airport is easily accessible from nearby London and the south-east, by both private and public transport.
Insulin
