sofas, chairs and tables in the gateway lounge — Source: easyJet

easyJet Offering FLEXI fare Customers Free Lounge Access at London Gatwick

The European budget airline easyJet (U2/EZY) is offering their FLEXI fare customers (complimentary) access to the Gateway Lounge at London Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK). This deal is part of a (3-month) trial they are running from September 1st through November 30th and the offer will be extended to those who have already booked (FLEXI fare) flights between these dates.

We are always looking for new ways to offer travellers more choice and great value, so we’re delighted to have launched this trial, offering FLEXIfare customers travelling from London Gatwick access to The Gateway Lounge between now and November, in addition to the great range of extras our customers enjoy when they book a FLEXIfare.
Ali Gayward, UK Country Manager for easyJet

The Gateway Lounge is located in the North Terminal and is open from 04:00 to 21:00 (7 days a week). The lounge is normally is priced at £27.99 (~$32) per visitor but when flying easyJet this price drops down to around £18 (~$21) when bundled. This lounge appears to have many of the common amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, food and drink buffet, convenient charging stations, airport views, quiet areas, a TV den, and game a room great for families.

gameroom with TV and games — Game Room with TV and Chairs - Source: easyJet

sofas and chairs with quiet area — Chairs and Quiet Area - Source: easyJet

table with magazines and view of outside — Table and Magazines - Source: easyJet

FLEXI Fares

I was unfamiliar with the FLEXIfare so I did some research and some sample pricing. I ran several searches and it appears the (one-way) fares are about £100 (~$115) more to book a FLEXI fare over a Standard fare. Besides lounge access at LGW this premium fare offers free large carry-on and checked bag, seat selection including a free Up Front seat, a dedicated bag drop, security Fast Track, expedited (Plus Speedy) boarding, unlimited fare date and route changes, and a Eat.Drink.Shop voucher worth £7.95 (~$9) to spend onboard.

flexi fare comparison table — Source: easyJet

The lounge offers a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal and will allow business and leisure passengers an opportunity to unwind before their departure. easyJet made a point to say this is a trial and did not commit to anything beyond the end of November.

Press Release: https://mediacentre.easyjet.com/story/15563/

Closing Thoughts

This is an interesting move by easyJet to offer this lounge bonus to the premium fares. I am guessing that this addition will make The Gateway Lounge much busier than usual during this trial period, but will also give more customers a chance to experience the lounge. I would like to see U.S.-based Low Cost Carrier (LCC) do something like this. I have thought for a while that Southwest Airlines should open a lounge at their DAL headquarters.