best way to check in at manchester?

[lorapinky]

Hi could anyone please help me with the best way to check in at manchester airport?

We are flying on september 1st ay 10:25 with virgin, we are both a bit clueless as what to do! i have only flown once and that was when i was a teenager and my parents did everything and my partner has never flown! We are totally worried about not sitting together, not getting there on time, what time do we arrive at airport? etc

Then another worry...orlando airport? what happens here?

Sorry to sound so freaked but like many of you i have been excited about this (maybe too much) for over a year and i cant contemplate anything going wrong! sob!

 

[Mr-D]

Strange isn't it how people always think everyone knows how to check in? I remember as a 17yr old flying for the first time from Heathrow and was quite happy to sit in the terminal building with my case until the plane turned up at the allocated time, just like buses do. Luckily I got talking to somebody else who explained you actually had to check in.

When you arrive at the terminal look on the electronic board for your flight number and check in desk, then go and join the queue at that desk. When you get to the front of the queue and it's your turn then go to the check in desk together and hand over your tickets and passports to the check in person. I'm sure by watching those in front of you in the queue you will soon cotton on.

Mormally when I check in I go straight to passport control and get that over and done with. The time between then and boarding is usually spent browsing the duty free shops or sitting watching the world go by.

I'm sure others can add to this and any further questions don't be afraid to ask no matter how simple. There's always a first time for everything.

D

 

[patsy13]

Hi if you are travelling with Virgin you can check in on line the day before it is so easy to do we did it 4 weeks ago when we went all you do is go to Virgin.co.uk and look for the DIY Check In you will need your passports and booking reference then when you get to Manchester all you do is go to the DIY check in counter hand in your suitcases and pick up your boarding cards when we went the check in queue was really long and we just walked right up the the diy check in no queueing at all absolutely fantastic but as i said you can only do it the day before you fly good luck and have a wonderful time.

Pat

 

[paulh]

we are flying bmi and are checking our bags in the night before we only live half an hour away so easy for us
Paulh

 

[lucy_love_]

we also chaecked in online with virgin. it really saved on queueing time.

lucy

 

[squitty]

We're flying from Manchester with Virgin in Dec and we are going to use the online checkin the day before.
Have a look here for more info on what to do.

 

[eileds]

Your tickets should tell you how long before your flight you need to check in, usually 3hrs before when going to America - this is assuming you're not going to be adventurous and check in online.

You can prebook your seats by ringing Virgin to ensure you sit together.

When you get to Orlando just follow everyone else. You'll have to go through passport control there and you get transported to the area where you collect luggage. Once you collect your luggage, if you are having a coach transfer to your accommodation look out for the Virgin reps who will direct you to your transport. If you are hiring a car then go the hire car desk.

On the way home you can check in at Downtown Disney, means you can still enjoy the fun without worrying about your luggage.

It really will be fine.

Have a great trip!

 

[lorapinky]

thank you for all your help eveyone! I am considering either doing the DIY check in or calling virgin to prebook our seats! Thank you all for your advice on this it has helped me greatly!

I am actually getting married at disney and have one last question about flying...my wedding dress! I am packing it in a suitcase eak! Do you think it will be ok?

 

[wilma-bride]

I seem to remember, on the Virgin Holidays website, that they have advice in the FAQs section on the best way to transport wedding dresses etc. It may be worth having a look.

Also, I would definitely recommend phoning Virgin Atlantic to pre-book seats. I phoned on Saturday to pre-book ours and got exactly the seats we wanted (the 2 together at the rear of the plane).

 

[carolfoy]

Pack your wedding dress in loads of folds of tissue paper, but remember not to use the sort with colour ar acid in as this may damage your dress, when you get to your hotel hang it in a steamy bathroom and this will help any creases to drop out or ask at the concierge desk if they have a steam cleaner that you can run over the dress to help decrease it

 

[lorapinky]

thank you to you both i will take a look at the virgin website, and i will ensure my wedding dress in wrapped up very well...wont relax until i see it in my room at disney in one piece!

 

[peewakio]

Don't forget to go to the correct terminal as you may be standing around all day waiting for your flight details to come up on screen.
I think Virgin go from terminal 3 at Manchester ??????

 

[wilma-bride]

Have a great wedding - what date is it?

 

[lorapinky]

we go the the 1st of september and get married on the 5th!!! We then have two whole weeks after our wedding day to enjoy DISNEY!!!

 

[crux]

Unless it's changed since last year, Virgin fly from Terminal 2 at Manchester.

 

[Birtie]

It is definately Terminal 2 at Manchester.

Also, when you get to Orlando, after collecting your luggage you will hand your luggage in again as there is a monorail shuttle between the gates and the main building. When you get off the monorail you need to collect your cases for a second time. After that Virgin have plenty of signs pointing the way for their passengers.