Terminals at Gatwick
 

Arriving from the US on American Airlines from Dallas. Does it come into the North terminal? Then we're leaving on Bristish Airways for Barcelona. Will that leave from the North terminal also? Thanks in advance for your answer.

Look it up here: http://tinyurl.com/2ujpsr

The Gatwick Airport website tells you all of that under the section "Flight Information"

Alan, check my link. ;-)

AA from DFW arrives at gates 60,61, 62, or 63. From there you will have to follow the transfers sign to the arrival/transfer area. If you booked the flight to BCN with AA, you will have your boarding passes and will go to your far right where you will find a document check line followed by a security screening. If you need boarding passes, the BA transfer desk is just before the document check line.

Once you are through security, you will go up to the departure area. Most restaurants and the quieter waiting areas are on the upper level.

The flight to BCN will be posted on the monitors about 45 minutes before departure. They are typically at a high number gate in the new gate area. If it shows 100 or greater, expect another 15 minute trek down a long hallway, up two elevators, across a bridge over the gate area, down two more flights and into a smaller departure area with about a dozen gates (as of last fall).

Actually, we are not leaving LGW until the next day. We arrive in the morning and the plan is to stay at the Sofitel which connects to the north terminal, right? We'll take the train to London for the day and come back to sleep and leave for Barcelona the next morning. That is why I wanted to check the terminal to make sure the Sofitel made the most sense.

The Sofitel is the most convenient place in which to stay.

But, if you do not yet have your boarding passes for the BA flight to BCN when you arrive at Gatwick, be certain to stop at the BA transfer desk to get them. That will save you a great deal of time on the following day.

If you are checking luggage on the following day, (not recommended but possibly mandatory) you will need only to go to the baggage check to leave your luggage.

To get to London from the Sofitel, return to the terminal and make two right turns to shuttle train to the South Terminal. After you get off the train and exit into the South Terminal, the British Rail desk is to your left on the far side of the escalators. While it may not be the least expensive way, I have found it more convenient to purchase a combination return ticket and all day travel card for a day in London. That will get you a round trip on the Gatwick Express and all day access to the Tube and bus transport.

It would be nearly as convenient, and almost certainly much cheaper, to stay in a B&B in Horley. They will pick you up and drop you off at the airport, and you can walk to Horley station to get up to London. (I prefer to spend the afternoon sleeping off jet lag and then eat dinner at the Six Bells pub.) I've stayed at this one: www.springwoodguesthouse.co.uk, but googling Gatwick B&B will turn up lots.

Thanks to Jeff for the added information about check in. We booked the Sofitel.

The Sofitel is a lovely hotel. It is very easy to get from the north terminal to the south and vice versa. Check with the airlines regarding which terminal, this does seem to change from time to time.