The Airport Search team is in London this week on a trip prepared via our buddies at Gatwick Airport (LGW).
The project?
Find out if it’s smooth to land at Gatwick Airport on a flight from the U.S. See if it’s clean to take public transit to and from the airport to London, Brighton, and different close by destinations. And discover a laugh activities.
As they say: tough activity, however someone has to do it. And Airport Search is up for the project.
Here’s how our adventure goes to date.
Seattle to New York
Our ride from our home base airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) became on JetBlue, to hook up with certainly one of JetBlue’s flights to Gatwick.
The airline starts offevolved service among Boston and Gatwick on August four, and we’ll be at the inaugural flight out of Gatwick. So stay tuned for details from that adventure.
But first: the TWA Hotel
We selected an in a single day layover at JKF so that we ought to live on the TWA Hotel, that is oh-so-simply related to JetBlue’s T5 terminal through elevator and a red-carpeted flight tube this is an appropriate passageway to the 1960s.
The lodge is constructed within the restored and reimagined Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center at JFK and has eating places, bars, stores, and a few fun 60s throwback activities inside the lobby.
There’s an infinity pool on the roof (charges observe) and, out inside the lower back at the ‘tarmac, there’s a Lockheed Constellation “Connie” L-1649A that has been transformed into a cocktail front room. This summer time, guests and visitors can pass curler skating rink or ride bumper vehicles on the resort’s tarmac as nicely. (Fees observe).
You don’t want to be staying on the motel to revel in the lobby and tarmac sports. And many sports, which include photo ops in cool spaces, Twister, and lengthy-distance phone calls on unfashionable pay phones, are free.
Arriving at Gatwick Airport
The JetBlue flights to Gatwick Airport leave JFK at around 7:30 pm and land at Gatwick the following morning at around 7:30 am. That way you may plan a complete day within the town.
Our flight landed early, so I changed into happy Gatwick Airport had arranged for me to relaxation and refresh on the onsite YOTELAIR London Gatwick Airport.
This was the first YOTEL to open within the United Kingdom – manner lower back in 2007 – and offers short-remains (from four to eight hours) in very compact ‘cabins’ which might be ideal for naps, a refresh after a protracted flight, or an overnight if you have a very early flight or late arrival.
Each cabin is amazing compact, with a mattress, lavatory, small table, WiFi, USB ports, mood lighting fixtures, clever TV, and a bit little bit of storage area. (You can also depart luggage on the the front desk, or ‘Mission Control.’)
I had the whole thing I wished for a refresh or even determined a small fold-out stool putting at the again of my cabin door simply as I turned into leaving. Coffee, tea, and bottled water are complimentary at the front table and visitors can borrow alarm clocks for wake-up calls. Meals can be ordered and delivered as well.
Here’s a snap of Gatwick Airport’s mascot, Gary Gatwick, finding out the Yotel cabin. You’ll see more (lot’s more) of him for the duration of our London go to as he’s my tour companion for the week.
Gatwick to London in less than half-hour
It’s continually a pride to have an ‘aha’ second when visiting and find out about a device or carrier that you recognise will alternate your travel habits.
In the past, I’ve always arrived in London at Heathrow Airport and headed to town via the London Underground, called the Tube. The new Elizabeth Line seems like its hurries up the travel time, however within the beyond, the journey from Heathrow to important London could soak up to 45 minutes and become very crowded because it got towards the town, particularly throughout rush hour instances.
But journeying from Gatwick Airport to London at the Gatwick Express changed into a ways easier and manner more high-quality.
The trip from the Gatwick Airport train station to Central London’s Victoria Station at the direct Gatwick Express become a 30-minute breeze.
I preferred that that is a train (not a subway) and that the educate station is easy to get right of entry to, with a first-rate upgrade on the manner. Trains run every 15 mins and travelers can use an Oyster smartcard to pay for rides. Prices range with the aid of time and type but are discounted 10% whilst bought on line or via the app.
Trains from Gatwick additionally go to the Sussex coasts, as an example, Brighton and Eastbourne.
It might were easy to switch to underground Tube traces once I arrived at Victoria Station, however my resort turned into an smooth 10-minute walk and alongside the manner, I passed the Victoria Palace Theatre, where Hamilton is gambling.
As I stated, Gatwick Airport mascot Gary Gatwick is my excursion manual this week, and he obtained a totally enthusiastic welcome at the check-in desk on the St. James’ Court.
Our agenda this week will include a variety of touring in London, Brighton, and West Sussex – all places without difficulty reachable from Gatwick Airport.
So please live tuned as we trap up on our adventures each day. Have a few hints on places we need to cross? Please add them to the comments.
