The Famous Faces of London's Gatwick Airport

By Jordi Lippe and Jordi Lippe-McGraw
May 18, 2016
© Gatwick Airport

The mark the 80th anniversary of its first commercial flight, Gatwick Airport in London released a series of historic photos showing some of the many famous faces that have paid it a visit. The snaps show everyone from members of the royal family to American presidents spending time at one of the world's busiest airports.

A few highlights: Both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana were photographed showing off two distinct time periods in aviation history. And John F. Kennedy’s pic marks a poignant moment as it was taken just six months before his assassination.

More modern photos were thrown into the mix like Pope John Paul II kissing the ground during his first papal visit in 1982 and supermodel Lily Cole posing on the runway in 2010.

Also included is an incredible photograph from the inaugural flight, which took place on June 6, 1936. Passengers paid around $6 for a ticket, which would equate to approximately $234 by today’s standards. Check out the rest of the historic photos ahead.

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Inagural Flight

© Gatwick Airport

Crowds gathered around the British Airways flight on June 6, 1936 to watch it take off.

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Queen Elizabeth II

© Gatwick Airport

The Queen looked regal as she stepped off the plane at the official opening of Gatwick airport on June 9, 1958.

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Bob Monkhouse

© Gatwick Airport

Never one to shy away from the camera, entertainer Bob Monkhouse made a grand entrance at the aiport in 1967 with a bevy of beauties on his arm.

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Princess Diana

© Gatwick Airport

The Princess of Wales got into the air control tower and took a turn listening to air communication on September 22, 1988.

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Midge Ure

© Gatwick Airport

The same year Princess Diana visited the airport, songwriter Midge Ure left his mark on a water tanker. 

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Soccer Players John Terry and Frank Lampard  

© Gatwick Airport

The famous FC soccer players boarded a flight on May 14, 2013 one day before their victory at the Europe League final.  

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George Michael

© Gatwick Airport

The Wham! singer returned to Gatwick on April 14, 1985 after performing in China.

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Pope John Paul II

© Gatwick Airport

The Pope kissed the ground at Gatwick upon his first papal visit in 1982.

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Lily Cole

© Gatwick Airport

The supermodel helped to launch a modeling contest called Gatwick Runway Models in 2010.

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John F. Kennedy

© Gatwick Airport

JFK was pictured alongside UK Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on June 29, 1963 just six months before he was assassinated. 

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