Twilight Check in

[wendy_uk]

Has anybody done twilight check in? We were going to be doing this next Friday as our flight goes before midday on Saturday. But can this still be done, due to all the new security measures in place.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

still available by the looks of it:-

Updated Friday 11 August 21:00H

On Thursday 10th August, Government agencies in both the US and the UK imposed additional security measures, applicable at all UK airports and all flights departing from the US to the UK.

Virgin Atlantic operated a full schedule of departures from the UK and from the US yesterday, which we intend to repeat today and over the weekend.

Some long delays are expected, for which we apologise. We ask all passengers to arrive at the airport, at least 3 hours ahead of the scheduled departure time shown on your ticket or e-ticket. Please use airport kiosks where installed. Airport check-in desks will open approximately 4 hours before departure. Check-in will close promptly, 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time of each flight.

Passengers booked to depart on flights from London Gatwick, are encouraged to use our Twilight check-in service, which will be open at Zone A, South Terminal, until 21:00 the evening before your flight.

Please read the below advice carefully, regarding the carriage of personal belongings and hand luggage. Minimising the overall amount of baggage that you carry will help reduce flight delays.

Once checked-in we urge all passengers to go straight to security in order for the searches and other security screenings to be completed.

Passengers who were booked, but did not travel from the UK or US on 10th August can rebook for travel up to and including 30 September 2006 in the same booking class, subject to availability. Please telephone our contact centres to arrange this. All normal ticket rules will apply to passengers travelling from 11th August onwards.

Our full flight disruption policy can be viewed here. A copy of our Conditions of Carriage can be viewed by clicking here.

The following measures are to take place with immediate effect:



Flights Departing From UK Airports

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

* pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
* travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
* prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g., diabetic kit) However liquid medication e.g. insulin may only be carried with supporting documentation from the owners Doctor that verifies it as authentic.
* spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
* contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
* for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
* female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (e.g. tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
* tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
* keys (but no electrical key fobs)

Books and "dry" duty free goods, such as cigarettes and electrical items, purchased airside i.e. after the airport central security point, are permitted in their original sealed packaging, with proof of purchase. No liquids, gels, lotions of any description are permitted, regardless of where purchased.

In addition to this please note:

* All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
* Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

Passengers using their own wheelchairs departing from a UK airport, can contact our Special Assistance Department on 0870 380 2004 with any questions.

 

[daipp]

I phoned Virgin Atlantic this morning and was told that it was still available.

David

 

[giggler]

Hi,
were planning to do this next month, when you read the virginwebsite it encourages you to use this!!
i suppose the earlier theyget the bags the quicker they can do security checks on them (or what ever they do)
it does make it a little bit more difficult, if like us you travel to Gatwick the day before and stay at hotel before travel.

Giggler

 

[Disney D]

I spoke to Virgin too, sounds like they are encouraging people to use Twilight Check In.

 

[paulh]

looks like its still available with most airlines that provide it.we fly next friday and doimg it with BMI from manchester
Paulh

 

[mark&sue]

Dpes anyone know if BA are still operating this service at Gatwick? We don't fly out for two months and are still keen to do this.



Susan

 

[laluna]

Hi - we did twilight check in for the midday (ish) virgin flight to Orlando in Feb of this year. FANTASTIC! No queue, in and out of Gatwick in 1/2 hour and received good seat allocation.

We then stayed at a local B&B as we dont live near Gatwick. This would be difficult to do now with the latest restrictions on hand luggage though! My overnight stuff wouldn't be allowed in the plastic bag!

Laluna

 

[florida sun]

Hi

Just thought I would let you know that I spoke to Karen(miffy) yesterday, as she was at the airport(Gatwick) to do twilight checkin for today and it was unavailable, not sure if it was because of the delays today or not??

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
It was unavailable for VS15 & VS27 yesterday only:

Please note: passengers travelling on flights VS15 and VS27 from London Gatwick to Orlando on Sunday 13th August, will not be able to use the Twilight check-in service on Saturday 12th. These passengers should proceed to airport check-in on Sunday as advised above. This service is withdrawn, only as a result of delays to some services today (August 12th), and we apologise sincerely for any inconvenience caused as a result. All other passengers departing London Gatwick on Sunday 13th August can use today’s Twilight check-in service.

Mick.

 

[florida sun]

Hi,
It was unavailable for VS15 & VS27 yesterday only:

Please note: passengers travelling on flights VS15 and VS27 from London Gatwick to Orlando on Sunday 13th August, will not be able to use the Twilight check-in service on Saturday 12th. These passengers should proceed to airport check-in on Sunday as advised above. This service is withdrawn, only as a result of delays to some services today (August 12th), and we apologise sincerely for any inconvenience caused as a result. All other passengers departing London Gatwick on Sunday 13th August can use today’s Twilight check-in service.

Mick.

Thanks Mick for clarifying I believe Karen is on the VS015, so that is the reason why

 

[mark&sue]

We have got our trip in October and if the night before check in is still available I have started to organise myself.

We will take an old nightie or t-shirt and an old pair of knickers and throw them away at the hotel when we leave to go to the airport. I have started to collect other bits that are reaching the end of their life such as deodorant, lipsticks, old eyeliners, last drops in perfume bottles etc and will dispose of them at the hotel. We will not throw out our old toothbrushes and end of toothpastes but keep them for one last use at the airport hotel.

Hopefully this will get our way round the ban on hand luggage if it remains.

I am also sure we will get other tips from reading these great boards.



Susan

 

[ariel75]

We have got our trip in October and if the night before check in is still available I have started to organise myself.

We will take an old nightie or t-shirt and an old pair of knickers and throw them away at the hotel when we leave to go to the airport. I have started to collect other bits that are reaching the end of their life such as deodorant, lipsticks, old eyeliners, last drops in perfume bottles etc and will dispose of them at the hotel. We will not throw out our old toothbrushes and end of toothpastes but keep them for one last use at the airport hotel.

Hopefully this will get our way round the ban on hand luggage if it remains.

I am also sure we will get other tips from reading these great boards.


I'm going to pinch a couple of your ideas off you i'm staying in manchester the night before we fly so i'll do the same.
I was also thinking of buying a load of cheap pants so that i don't have to have these in suitcase when the bags get checked

 

[richard_andmel]

We have done twilight check in several times and it has always been excellent. We do a package with the hotel to park our car for the duration of our trip, so I take a small bag of UK only items (including my UK hair dryer) and in the morning that bag goes back into the car. It works really well for us.

Mel