Singapore Airlines to use No1 Lounge at London Gatwick Airport

In December last year, Singapore Airlines announced that it would launch non-stop flights between Singapore and London Gatwick Airport from 21 June 2024, with 5X weekly service to London’s second largest airport.

One missing piece of information was what lounge the airline would use here. There was no obvious candidate because Gatwick isn’t exactly a Star Alliance stronghold, and none of SIA’s partners operate a lounge in the airport.

With the inaugural flight just around the corner, SIA has finally confirmed that eligible passengers will be invited to the No1 Lounge at Gatwick North Terminal.

Singapore Airlines to use No1 Lounge at Gatwick North

Singapore Airlines has confirmed via a spokesperson that it will be using the No1 Lounge at Gatwick North Terminal. 

This airside lounge is located after security, in the direction of gates 45-55 & 101-113. Simply follow the signs for lounges, after the customary duty free maze.

The No1 Lounge opens daily from 4 a.m to 9 p.m, so there’ll be plenty of time to enjoy the facility ahead of SQ309’s 10.15 a.m departure slot (which moves to 9.20 a.m from 27 October 2024).

Passengers will be able to enjoy complimentary freshly prepared hot food, snacks and sweet treats, plus a selection of drinks including premium beers, wines, sparking wines, champagnes and spirits at the fully tended bar.

The above details on lounge offerings provided by the spokesperson is almost word-for-word what’s mentioned on the No1 Lounge’s website, but with one key difference: the website doesn’t mention free champagne; it’s only listed as available for purchase. Hopefully this means that SIA has gotten the lounge to spruce up its offerings during the window where its premium passengers will be present.

Here’s a sample menu that SIA’s passengers can expect during their morning visit to the lounge. 

The No1 Lounge is also equipped with meeting rooms and printing facilities. Restrooms are available, but not showers. Hopefully you’ll have taken a shower before departing your hotel. 

Priority Pass members are also entitled to access this lounge, though they may be turned away during busier times.

I was not able to find many recent reviews of the No1 Lounge at Gatwick North, so you’ll have to make do with the following pre-COVID reports:

• Head for Points (2019)
• Turning Left for Less (2017)
• Business Traveller (2017)

Who is entitled to lounge access?

The following SIA passengers will be entitled to lounge access:

• Business Class passengers
• Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Gold members travelling in any cabin (+1 guest)

All guests must be travelling on the same flight to be eligible for access. 

Singapore Airlines’ Gatwick schedule

Singapore Airlines was hoping to secure daily flights to and from London Gatwick, but that’s easier said than done at one of Europe’s most congested airports (Gatwick incidentally is Europe’s busiest single runway airport).

In the end, they were allocated enough slots for 5X weekly service, which commences on 21 June 2024 with the following schedule.

Singapore to London Gatwick

SQ310 departs from Changi just before midnight on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

It arrives in London Gatwick in the early morning, allowing for morning connections to elsewhere in Europe, or a full day ahead, if London is your final destination. 

London Gatwick to Singapore

SQ309 departs from London Gatwick in the morning on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

It arrives in Singapore in the early morning, again well-suited for connections on SIA or Scoot across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, or a full working day.

The London Gatwick route will be operated by a three-cabin Airbus A350-900LH, with 253 seats split into:

• 42 Business Class
• 24 Premium Economy Class
• 187 Economy Class

I’ve reviewed the Business Class product on this aircraft numerous times, so take your pick from the posts below:

• Review: Singapore to Munich, A350-900
• Review: Munich to Singapore, A350-900
• Review: Singapore to Newark, A350-900ULR

How many miles are required for redemption?

London Gatwick will fall into Zone 11 of the KrisFlyer award chart, which means you can expect to pay the following for award redemptions on Singapore Airlines.

Singapore to London Gatwick redemptions (Flight on Singapore Air)
	Saver (One-Way)	Advantage (One-Way)
Economy	42,000	70,000
Premium Economy	71,000	N/A
Business	103,500	123,000

One benefit of flying out of Gatwick rather than Heathrow is that you’ll pay lower airport taxes and fees. While there’s no avoiding the UK’s onerous Air Passenger Duty, the passenger service charge is around £20, versus Heathrow’s £49.

Therefore, a Business Class passenger can expect to pay a total of £222 in cash for a redemption flight from Gatwick, versus £251 for Heathrow.

Conclusion

Singapore Airlines passengers departing from London Gatwick will be invited to the No1 Lounge at Gatwick North Terminal, which should offer a pleasant enough environment to get ready for a long-haul flight.

It remains to be seen whether there’ll be any festivities for the inaugural flight however, given how SIA has toned down its public events following the SQ321 incident.

If you’ve been to the No1 Lounge at Gatwick North recently, do chime in!