Checking in for flight to US

[Elroy Blue]

I'm taking a flight to the US soon. It's a scheduled flight, with seats already allocated. Nomally my travel involves package holidays with a checkin time 3 days before take off (you get the idea). So what's the norm for checking in. Flight takes off around 9am. (I know I could ring the airline, but it's more fun asking on here)

[Super Slo Mo]

Most airlines let you check in online nowadays. 24 to 30 hours before the flight isn't unusual.

Have you completed the advance passenger info thing? You need it for the US.

Be at the airport a couple of hours beforehand, as per normal.

That's it really.

[Elroy Blue]

Thanks. All the admin is done. It was the time I had to turn up at the airport I was looking for.

[cjs]

Depends on the airport and airline, but I would allow at least 3 hours. You'll need to check what time the terminal check-in opens, Heathrow T5 is 6am IIRC.

Edited by cjs on Monday 13th February 12:07

[ChrisBMW]

Yeah 3 hours sounds about right, I thought all Trans-atlantic flights were a minimum of 3 hours checkin anyway.

I fly to the states quite regularly from my local aiport and I always arrive 3 hours prior to departure and my airport is nowhere near the size of heathrow.

[Super Slo Mo]

I've never checked in 3 hours before a transatlantic flight, unless transport arrangements to the airport dictated it. There's no real need to, unless you want to spend all that time mooching about the airport.

[essayer]

Super Slo Mo said:

I've never checked in 3 hours before a transatlantic flight, unless transport arrangements to the airport dictated it. There's no real need to, unless you want to spend all that time mooching about the airport.

I got to Gatwick about 2 hrs before my Virgin flight. Cue a 1 hr wait in a queue at the "bag drop". In the end they went through the queue and pulled out the people on our flight to get us through 5 mins before the 1 hour deadline. Squeaky bum time

Edited by essayer on Tuesday 14th February 09:25

[fizz47]

Its also depends on your name.

A few times when travelling with friends they were able to check in online while it didnt give me the option - I had to check in at the airport

[Super Slo Mo]

essayer said:

I got to Gatwick about 2 hrs before my Virgin flight. Cue a 1 hr wait in a queue at the "bag drop". In the end they went through the queue and pulled out the people on our flight to get us through 5 mins before the 1 hour deadline. Squeaky bum time

Edited by essayer on Tuesday 14th February 09:25

There's always an exception I guess.