It depends. We have pre booked our seats when we fly with them next year and now only need to check in 90 minutes before departure. From looking at the confirmation previous to booking it said 2 hours BUT with heighted security some airlines say 2.5 hours and in my experience check in can open even before that. If you want to sit together, are flying form a large or busy airport or at a busy time of the day (spent 1 hr getting through security at Stansted once! ), want to relax before you board as you may have children or do a spot of shopping get there as early as possible. The best thing to do is check with the airline by ringing them or checking out http://www.thomascookairlines.co.uk
edited due to spelling!
Most charter airlines of 'bucket & spade' type flights rent their desks from 3 hours prior to STD. Whilst you don't want to spend all day hanging around the terminals it is good advice to turn up as early as you can. This extra hanging around is a much better inconvinence than your baggage ot getting loaded due to baggage system failures, or not having time to do the 'duty free' as you've spent so long queuing at security.
We are flying to Fuerteventura in may, have rung up Newcastle airport and they are still suggesting to be there 3 hours beofre check-in. Has this still been the case in other airports or is it upto the individual airports?
Hi, I am going tomorrow from Gatwick and we have been told to check in 3 hours before but went to mainland spain last October and only had to check in 2 hours before. Maybe its a flight time thing.
most if not all british airports recomend 3 hrs especialy at buisy times
Back in November, Ryan Air opened check in 2 hrs 20 mins ish before flight was due to leave. It wasn't a problem as I was there early so had time to ask very helpful staff at entrance to queing area for security if what I had in hand luggage was ok. I got through security in 5 minutes from joing queue to walking into departure lounge. It was a Tuesday morning. I think it was about 9.30-10am.
There has been some complaints recently by airport personnel about people arriving too early, making it difficult for others to check in. But Gatwick can at times be a bit of a nightmare to get through to departure depending on the time of day you are travelling. So I would advise to err on the side of caution.
-
Edited by
Judith
2007-04-19 12:02:30
If you have left it a little late to get there you may have to try and squeeze in to the front of the queue as there may be 100 people in front of you whose flight leaves in 2 hours time whereas yours departs much earlier than theirs.
You never really know if this is going to be the case until you get there.
Many business travellers do tend to turn up later for flights as they don't like hanging around in airports. This is a risk you take with regard to any delays getting there. Also bear in mind that check in desks will close generally half an hour before the flight departure time, 20 minutes at the very latest. You often board the flight more than half an hour before departure.
Post a Reply
Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.
Similar Topics
-
First Choice - Bristol - Flight Times and Check In/Check Out
Posted by sodafountain in Bulgaria Discussion Forum
-
check in times
Posted by Watford Travellers in Flight Only / Airline and Airports
-
check in times
Posted by laudan in General Holiday Enquiries, Hints and Tips
-
check in times.
Posted by madasafishy in General Holiday Enquiries, Hints and Tips
-
Gatwick check in times.
Posted by saintharb in Spain - Balearics - Ibiza Discussion Forum