How early do you arrive at the UK airport?

[Bonnie151]

Can you guys please resolve a dispute we're currently having? For an internal flight (Glasgow) to Gatwick then onto Tampa, how early would you arrive at the airport? The flight is at 6:45AM. I was thinking 1.5 hours before the flight, MIL is thinking at least 2 hours before the flight. We're planning on doing online check in the day before.

I've tried to find out via the BA website but am going in circles. It's been a while since we've not flown direct but I could have sworn I aimed for 1.5 hours before the flight time. Or am I mad?

 

[chmurf]

your check in window will be specified on "manage my bookings" on BA's website
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/managebooking/public/en_us

still, even with online check in, the check in requirements for a flight with an international leg is set a 2hrs.

 

[stoneyloon]

Most airlines say 2 hours for an international flight (including connections) and 1 hour for domestic flights. MIL is technically correct but I think you'll be fine with 90 minutes.

Strangely, if your GLA - LGW is not linked to your Tampa one (ie, you need to pick up your bags in Gatwick) then an hour is fine...

 

[Bonnie151]

Thanks, urgh, based on that I think we'll need to play it safe and get there two hours early. I used to quite often fly Edinburgh to London on the first flight of the day and the BA check in desks weren't even OPEN that early! This was a very long time ago though so I imagine it's all changed now.

Chmurf- thanks but I know I'm supposed to be able to find it via My Booking but I can't find the section the website was directing me to (I think it was called "other ways to check in" or something similar). It's not anywhere obvious.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks, urgh, based on that I think we'll need to play it safe and get there two hours early. I used to quite often fly Edinburgh to London on the first flight of the day and the BA check in desks weren't even OPEN that early! This was a very long time ago though so I imagine it's all changed now.

Chmurf- thanks but I know I'm supposed to be able to find it via My Booking but I can't find the section the website was directing me to (I think it was called "other ways to check in" or something similar). It's not anywhere obvious.

Well we flew out of EDI last year and nothing had changed. However I always book an airport hotel for the night before we fly since we seem to end up with these early departures every year lately. We arrange with the hotel to give us our breakfast to go and arrive at the airport at stupid o clock so at least we know we are there, grab a bench and eat our breakfast then head for the check in to wait for the line to open as soon as we see the first signs of life there. I just prefer it that way because once we have checked in the big cases we don't feel as lugged down and can move about as we please.

Also, when we have done a UK connection first it has always been unclear as to the check in time. Although I would think we only need to check in for a domestic flight and in accordance with those, when they check you through for both domestic and international flight there seems to be conflicting information

 

[flortlebap]

I arrive 3-4 hours before! But 2 hours should be sufficient.

 

[BudgieMama]

When we flew to the US from Heathrow this summer, BA's guidance was 3 hours (and then the plane was delayed by an hour! Sigh!).

We're flying from Gatwick for Orlando, so unless they specify three hours again (I hope not, but as we're only 50 minutes on the train from Gatwick, it's not the end of the world), we'll go for 2 hours.

 

[2Tiggies]

When we flew to the US from Heathrow this summer, BA's guidance was 3 hours (and then the plane was delayed by an hour! Sigh!).

We're flying from Gatwick for Orlando, so unless they specify three hours again (I hope not, but as we're only 50 minutes on the train from Gatwick, it's not the end of the world), we'll go for 2 hours.

I think a lot of the time the guidance is still based on what it has been for years; but so many folk to online check in now and if you are able to proceed with that, it's really just a bag drop and passport check to go through.

 

[edinburghlass]

I think it depends too what day you are travelling. We flew on a Tuesday this year after a bank holiday out of Edinburgh to Gatwick so it was in effect Monday morning business traffic to London and security was really busy as was BA check in.

Nice cooked breakfast on the flight so we just had a drink in the airport while we waited and wandered duty free.

 

[Bonnie151]

I am obsessive about getting to the airport 3 hours before an international flight but getting to Glasgow at 4:45 for a 6:45 flight to Gatwick seems overkill. Sigh. Oh well. Guess I'm getting up at 3:30AM.

 

[BudgieMama]

I think a lot of the time the guidance is still based on what it has been for years; but so many folk to online check in now and if you are able to proceed with that, it's really just a bag drop and passport check to go through.

Yeah, I do think it's overkill (we checked in online), but I'm such a worrier I'd sooner be sat waiting at the airport than at home!! and you can never guarantee the queues!

 

[DisFanJen]

Like a lot of people here I go for 2 to 3 hours before assuming we don't just do a one night stay at a close hotel. It's just better safe then sorry I think.

All it takes is a couple of delays and that time vanishes real fast.

If we get through without hassle we usually pay to use one of the executive lounges (usually the Clubhouse as we fly VA) and chill there until it's time to go to the gate.

 

[2Tiggies]

Yeah, I do think it's overkill (we checked in online), but I'm such a worrier I'd sooner be sat waiting at the airport than at home!! and you can never guarantee the queues!

No - or traffic, or delays on public transport ..... or if you are like us, where between DD and I we have been picked for the random security check 3 times in 4 years (yes, even DD when she was 8!)

 

[Bonnie151]

Hmmm, just tried manage my bookings on my PC rather than my ipad and the link worked (stupid ipad!). It says the desks don't open until 1.5 hours before the flight. Maybe I'll compromise with MIL and aim for 1 hour 45 minutes before the flight time!

 

[Disbabe]

Just to add a not so funny story.....
We usually aim for 3 hours before international flight and flying from Manchester have to set out from home an additional hour before. We had a tyre blow out on the way one year. We had to wait an hour for the breakdown service to come and then an additional half an hour to sort the tyre out.
Another year we left our money bag in the car at the airport car park, so hubby had to go back and get it before we could check in.
Have made sure ever since we leave 4 hours before flight, but have never repeated any of the 2 experiences above again!

 

[irenep]

I think you should be fine with an hour and a half. I have tried checking in early with BA in the past for domestic connections and been told I was too early so had to sit around and wait with the bags until 2 hours before. We are going from Aberdeen on Sunday and planning on about 1.5 hours before

 

[starrysky]

I arrive 3-4 hours before! But 2 hours should be sufficient.

Same here we leave on Saturday morning and I'm aiming to be at the airport as early as I can make DH get up. We are staying over night near the airport as I hate the idea of driving down the day of the flight.
I like to have time to get through security etc and if we want grab a bite to eat.

 

[Crickey]

I like to get there about 3 hours before but i am one of those weird people that like airports and planes . So i just get some food and watch plans landing and taking off and i also people watch aswell

 

[Disneymad]

I arrive early enough that if I try to check in and I've forgotten my passport (having already checked I had it a dozen times ofc) I've still got time to get home and get it and then back

Fortunately I'm less than 1 1/2 hours away from the airport.

 

[Bonnie151]

Well I've done online check in, printed off the boarding passes and we're aiming for 1 3/4 hours before the flight. We have a 3 1/2 layover at Gatwick so I don't fancy hanging around Glasgow any longer than I need to!