Gatwick is claiming a world-first with the launch of a service that guarantees to look after passengers if they miss connections booked via its new venture, Gatwick Connects.
The service, aimed at growing the airport into an international hub to rival Heathrow, charges passengers a fee for booking connecting flights on one of two fare-comparison websites, Dohop and Skyscanner.
The flights are booked in a single transaction and if the inbound flight is delayed or cancelled so passengers miss their connection, Gatwick will book them on the next available departure and provide hotel and food vouchers as appropriate in the meantime.
Aimed at travellers worldwide, the service will be particularly appealing to passengers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
However, so far only three of Gatwick’s 45 airlines have signed up to the scheme, according to the Independent. Major low-cost carriers Monarch, Ryanair and Flybe are not included yet and neither are charter airlines Thomson and Thomas Cook.
Also, passengers will need to collect their bags at Gatwick and check in again in the arrivals hall, although fast-track security clearance is included as part of the deal.
