Originally published on businesstraveller.com 20/08/2012   RSS

CHECK-IN I arrived at London Gatwick a little later than intended, at 1010, for my flight (EZY8573) to Barcelona at 1120. I had checked in online the day before, though, and printed my boarding passes for both the outbound and return services so the fact that the gate closed at 1050 didn’t concern me too much. I was also travelling with one piece of hand-baggage only (the airline is very strict about this) so all I needed to do was catch the transfer shuttle to the North Terminal, take the escalators up to departures (check-in Zone G was assigned to Easyjet) and walk straight to security.

This took no more than about six minutes from the South Terminal train station. I had already put my bottles of liquid in a clear plastic bag so didn’t need to pause to do this, and as there were only half a dozen people ahead of me in the queue, it only took a few minutes to get through. I was airside by 1030.

BOARDING My gate (109) opened at 1025, and was a good ten-minute walk away – up and down escalators and along endless corridors to the far end of the terminal. There was already a long line when I got there at 1040 but boarding had not yet started. Those passengers who had paid for Speedy Boarding or had Easyjet Plus cards were called first, with everyone else boarding at 1100.

THE SEAT I was on the aircraft by 1110 and chose seat 19F, by the window just behind the wing. The grey and orange fabric on the seat was a little worn but legroom wasn’t too bad (30 inches/76cm – the same on all Easyjet flights) – at least for someone of my height (five-foot two-inches).

Although Easyjet is trialing assigned seating on certain routes (click here to see which routes and how much it costs) most travellers (including those on this service) have to sit wherever they can when they get on – unless they pay extra for Speedy Boarding.

WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? There were 31 rows of seating on this A320. Unless the plane happens to be disembarking from the back as well, it is better to choose a seat near the front if you can. If you want to take your pick, get to the gate as early as you can and get in line, or book Speedy Boarding. If you are tall, opt for seats A, B or C in row one as they offer the most legroom. Exit row seats are also a good bet.

THE FLIGHT The plane pushed back on time at 1120, with take-off at 1135, shortly after the safety demonstration. Drinks, snacks and duty-free items were wheeled up and down the aisle once cruising, at about 1200. Crew were pleasant and the one-hour 35-minute journey went quickly.  

ARRIVAL The aircraft landed at 1310 (1410 local time) and disembarkation at Barcelona-El Prat was swift. Passengers were taken by shuttle bus to the terminal building, 30 seconds away, where there was then a 15-minute wait to get through immigration. The city centre is a 20-30-minute drive away (about €35 in a taxi).

VERDICT A very good short hop – fuss-free, no-frills travel. No complaints.

FACT FILE:

SEAT CONFIGURATION 3-3 (A-B-C, D-E-F)

SEAT PITCH 30in/76cm

SEAT WIDTH 20in/51cm

SEAT RECLINE 4in/10cm

PRICE Internet rates for a return flight from London Gatwick to Barcelona with Easyjet in October ranged between £66 and £218.

CONTACT easyjet.com

Jenny Southan