Did you know …. you can use Gatwick’s Signature ELITE Class private jet terminal with any airline?

Every so often we cover the various private jet terminals around the country that also, for a fee, can be used by passengers on ‘normal’ commercial flights.

We have previously reviewed the First Class Lounge at London City Airport, which is based in the Jet Centre next door, the Signature ELITE Class terminal at Luton (which easyJet customers can use) and written about the soon-to-be-open PremiAir facility at Manchester Airport.

Boarding your scheduled flight via a private terminal is obviously the way to go if money is no object, with no large, crowded airports to navigate or congested security to endure.  The biggest selling point is probably the chauffeur service that takes you from the small private terminals directly to the aircraft itself – you can forget about moving walkways and slow air trains.

If you want an idea of how it works, Rob’s review of using the London City private jet terminal before boarding a BA flight gives you a proper feel.

It turns that you can do something similar at London Gatwick, which came as news to us.

The Signature ELITE Class private terminal at Gatwick has been around since 2009. It is operated by Signature Flight Support, which manage private jet ground handling, fueling and support. It was rebranded as ‘ELITE Class’ in 2014.

Here is what the promotional materials say:

Offering privacy and discretion, the service offers dedicated security, customs and immigration and baggage check-in, and discrete, effortless car transfers to and from the lounge direct to the aircraft.

…. which, despite the lovely new British Airways lounge, sounds a lot better than any other Gatwick experience involving an endless maze of corridors.

The Signature ELITE Class terminal is one of a handful of UK and Caribbean private terminals operated by Signature. In addition to Gatwick and Luton the service is also offered at Barbados, Grenada and Antigua (does BA still let First Class passengers from Barbados check in at the private jet terminal?).

The service is not a bargain, however. At £660 for the first passenger and £310 for further passengers at Gatwick this is not for the price sensitive, especially compared to the £95 per person cost of the London City Airport service.  Compared to the £2,750+ Windsor Suite at Heathrow, however, it’s practically pocket money.

We got in touch with Signature last week to clarify their pricing for this article, and they generously offered us a free visit to try it out.  As soon as we find a need to fly from Gatwick we will let you know what it’s like.

You can find out more on the Signature website here.

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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2025)

Here are the five options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here.

You can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A good package, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

Got a small business?

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card which has a lower fee and, as well as a Priority Pass for airport lounge access, also comes with Radison Rewards VIP hotel status:

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.