Is special assistance at Gatwick free?

Yes. Assistance through the airport — check-in, security, getting to the gate, boarding and connections — is provided free of charge. You book it via your airline rather than paying the airport directly.

What is the Gatwick Sunflower lanyard?

It's a free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard you can collect from the Special Assistance desks. Wearing it signals to staff that you may need a little extra time, patience or support. It does not provide fast track or queue jumping, but staff will be mindful and help where they can. Gatwick was the first UK airport to introduce it.

Is there Blue Badge parking at Gatwick?

Yes — Blue Badge spaces are available in every Gatwick car park on a first-come, first-served basis, and Premium car parks offer same-level access to the terminals. Long Stay shuttle buses are wheelchair and scooter accessible. If you take your Blue Badge, you can have its use validated via the intercom or the published Times24 number.

Gatwick Special Assistance 2026: How to Book, Sunflower Lanyard & Accessible Facilities

Q: How do I book special assistance at Gatwick?

Book through your airline or travel agent, ideally at least 48 hours before you fly. They pass your details to Gatwick's Special Assistance team. The service is free. If you haven't pre-booked, go to a Special Assistance (Assisted Travel) desk in the terminal or use one of the green Help Point phones, and staff will help — though pre-booked passengers are prioritised.

Q: Does Gatwick have a sensory room?

Yes. The North Terminal has a sensory room — a calming space designed for passengers with conditions such as autism, dementia or cognitive impairment. It's wheelchair accessible and free to use; book via Gatwick's Assisted Travel page. There's also a dedicated assistance lounge area near the departure lounge.

Quick answer

Book free special assistance through your airline (not the airport), ideally at least 48 hours before you fly — it covers check-in, security, getting to the gate, boarding and connections, at both terminals. Not booked? Go to an Assisted Travel desk or pick up a green Help Point phone. For a hidden disability, collect a free Sunflower lanyard (it signals you may need extra time — it isn't a fast track). There's a sensory room and assistance lounge in the North Terminal, and Blue Badge spaces in every car park.

Gatwick aims to be one of the UK's most accessible airports, and its Special Assistance (also called Assisted Travel) service is free and available to anyone who needs a hand through the airport — whether that's reduced mobility, a visual or hearing impairment, age, a temporary injury, or a hidden disability such as autism, dementia, ADHD or IBD. Here's how to use it well.

How to book — and it's free

The key thing people get wrong: you book assistance through your airline or travel agent, not the airport. The airline passes your details to Gatwick's team so they're ready for you.

Book at least 48 hours ahead (some airlines ask for 72) — at the time of booking the flight is ideal.
Tell them what you need: wheelchair assistance, help over long distances, guidance, or if you're bringing your own mobility aid, medical equipment or an assistance dog.
"Book for your worst day." If your condition varies and you're unsure, book assistance anyway — it's easier to decline help on the day than to arrange it in a queue.
It costs nothing — assistance through the airport is provided free of charge.

Good to know: you can still travel as independently as you like on the day — assistance is there for the parts of the journey you want help with, not an all-or-nothing arrangement.

What special assistance covers

Trained staff can support you across the whole journey through the airport:

Check-in and bag drop — including reserved seating in check-in areas.
Security — assisted or priority screening via Family & Assistance lanes, with the option of a manual search in a private area on request.
Wayfinding and long distances — help across the terminal and to the gate, which can be a long walk, especially in the North Terminal.
Boarding — getting onto the aircraft, including arrangements if you can't manage steps.
Connections — help moving between flights and, if needed, between terminals.
To and from transport — staff can meet you arriving by train, coach or bus, and help you to your onward transport when you land.
Your own equipment — you can take your own wheelchair or mobility aid right up to the departure gate; just tell your airline in advance.

Hidden disabilities & the Sunflower lanyard

Special assistance isn't only for visible or mobility needs. If you'd rather not request full assistance but might appreciate a little understanding, collect a free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard from any Special Assistance desk. Wearing it tells staff you may need extra time, patience or support as you travel.

Important: the Sunflower lanyard is not a fast track or queue-jump pass. It simply signals a hidden disability so staff can be mindful and help where they can.

Gatwick was the first UK airport to introduce the lanyard, is recognised as an Autism Friendly Airport, and works with organisations including the National Autistic Society, RNIB, Mencap, the Alzheimer's Society and Crohn's & Colitis UK to keep improving.

Accessible facilities

Sensory room (North Terminal) — a calming space for passengers with autism, dementia or cognitive impairment; wheelchair accessible and free to use, bookable via Gatwick's Assisted Travel page.
Assistance lounge area (North Terminal) — a relaxed seating area near the departure lounge with hearing induction loops, charging points, accessible toilets and adjustable lighting.
Departure-lounge PRM seating & pager — reserved seating where the concierge can give you a pager to alert you when your flight is boarding.
Help Points — green phones in car parks, on forecourts, in the terminals and at baggage reclaim; lift the phone and assistance comes to you, free.
Hearing & vision support — induction/T-loops throughout, high-contrast signage, and assistance, guide and hearing dogs welcome in the terminals.
Accessible toilets & Changing Places — including adult Changing Places facilities with hoists in both terminals.
AccessAble guides — Gatwick has detailed step-by-step access guides for the terminals, car parks and station to help you plan.

Getting to Gatwick & parking accessibly

Blue Badge parking in every car park (first-come, first-served); Premium car parks offer same-level access to the terminals.
Accessible Long Stay shuttle — the free Long Stay buses take wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with the transfer included in the parking price.
Drop-off bays — dedicated Blue Badge / assistance drop-off bays sit on both terminal forecourts for passengers who've booked assistance (note Gatwick's standard forecourt drop-off charge applies).
By train, coach or bus — help points are near the stops, and Gatwick's team can meet you; some North Terminal coach stops are a 5–10 minute walk, so request help if you need it.
Assisted Travel reception opens daily from 04:00.

A calm, door-to-door arrival

Arrive right at the terminal, then Gatwick's team takes over

If driving and parking feels like too much, a fixed-fare transfer can take the strain out of the first leg: collected from your door, flight tracked, and dropped right at the terminal entrance with help for your luggage — where Gatwick's free Special Assistance picks up your journey inside. Let us know about luggage or any specific needs when you book so the driver is prepared. (RushXO is a private-hire transfer service, not a medical or PRM transport provider — the airport's assistance team handles support within the terminal.)

See Gatwick transfer options →

Not pre-booked? Here's what to do

If you didn't arrange assistance in advance, you can still get help. Head to a Special Assistance / Assisted Travel desk — there are receptions on both terminal forecourts and in the check-in areas — or pick up the nearest green Help Point phone and assistance will come to you. Passengers who pre-booked are prioritised, so there may be a wait at busy times, but staff will do their best to support you.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book special assistance at Gatwick?

Through your airline or travel agent, ideally at least 48 hours before flying — they pass your details to Gatwick's team. It's free. Not pre-booked? Use a Special Assistance desk or a green Help Point phone; pre-booked passengers are prioritised.

Is it free?

Yes — assistance through the airport (check-in, security, the gate, boarding, connections) is free. You arrange it via your airline rather than paying the airport.

What is the Sunflower lanyard?

A free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard from the Special Assistance desks. It signals you may need extra time, patience or support. It's not a fast track or queue-jump — staff are simply mindful when they see it.

Does Gatwick have a sensory room?

Yes — a calming, wheelchair-accessible sensory room in the North Terminal for passengers with autism, dementia or cognitive impairment, free to use and bookable via Gatwick's Assisted Travel page. There's also an assistance lounge near the departure lounge.

Is there Blue Badge parking?

Yes — Blue Badge spaces in every car park (first-come, first-served), Premium car parks with same-level terminal access, and wheelchair/scooter-accessible Long Stay shuttles.

This is general guidance, current at the time of writing (2026); Gatwick's services, facilities and procedures can change. Always confirm the latest details and book assistance directly with your airline and via Gatwick's official Assisted Travel page before you travel. RushXO is a licensed private-hire transfer operator, is not a medical or reduced-mobility transport provider, and is not affiliated with London Gatwick Airport.

Gatwick Special Assistance