British Airways e tickets

[Danauk]

I am going to Disney World next month and have booked the flights on the internet. We are flying with British Airways and as we booked on the internet we are using their e ticket system. We have been told we can use the self service check in facility at Gatwick and the fast bag drop facility. I was wondering if anyone had used this facility before, did it save queing time to check in? and how long before the flight did you need to be in line to check in to use it? or can you check in the night before the flight?
Any help would be appreciated.
Dana

 

[Hilary]

LOL Dana - I've just been looking at the BA site to find out about this myself as we have e-tickets for our flight to Canada this Friday.

I haven't used the self-service check-in before, so went through BA's 'on-line guide' to see what's involved. My main concern is that there is no explanation in the guide about choosing seats for more than one passenger. If your e-ticket is for more than one person, will the screen show you seats for your whole party or is each passenger dealt with individually?

I'd just decided that we'd stick with the normal check-in process when I saw your thread, so I'm hoping someone will have some answers for you, too!

 

[Jacqui.s]

I haven't used the self-service check-in machines, but have used the online check-in service a few times and I would GUESS both systems would be the same. With that system you have to go through the process for each person in the party individually. It doesn't take that long, so you'd be damn unlucky not to get seats together for your party.

Check with BA, but if you register on their website, I think you'll be able to use online check-in too upto 12 hours before your flights departure (24 hours if you are a member of the Executive Club). I think this is a great option - particulary in that you only have to be at airport 1 hour before the flight.

 

[Hilary]

I think you'll be able to use online check-in too upto 12 hours before your flights departure

The website says that on-line check-in was suspended from 30th June 2003

Thanks for the info about getting seats for the whole party, Jacqui.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I've used the self service check in machines and they are great

All you do is insert your credit card (or exec club card or cardboard tkt if you have one of those) that you used to make the booking, it pops up with your details and has a touch screen where you can change your seat. It prints out your boarding pass and then you go to the fast bag drop to leave your bags. It saves SO much time.

I work in travel and i'm forever telling my customers to try it!

You still need to check in 2 - 3 hours before to go through security etc.

 

[Jacqui.s]

Originally posted by Hilary
The website says that on-line check-in was suspended from 30th June 2003

I am pretty certain that it was Telephone check-in which was ended on the 30th June not online check-in.

I have looked on the BA website and couldn't find any information on online check-in ending and they links are still there.

 

[Hilary]

Oops!

I'm sure you're right.

I've just checked the details and found that we can't use the on-line check-in for two reasons:
1. We'll be in the car heading for Heathrow during the available time-slot, so can't get to a PC
2. It can't be used for children under 16 and one of our DDs is only 14.

Oh well, maybe one day...... Mind you, with the BA fiasco at Heathrow at the moment, I shall just be glad to get through any kind of check-in and on to our flight! Fingers crossed!