Flying to Singapore from Heathrow on Friday (Staff Strikes)

[mx stu]

Morning,

As above we're flying to Singapore on Friday morning from Heathrow (T2), flight time 9:10am. This is the first long haul we've done with the kids (10&13) so has the potrential of being stressful even before we set off.

Have had a text & e-mail from Singapore warning that security is likely to take longer and arrive in good time for the flight.

Can any more regular long haul fliers give a guide as to how long they'd allow given a 9:10am flight time? We're definitely not last minute types but just want to make sure my cautious timings are that.

Thanks in advance.

[JQ]

I'd speak to the airline about how early they'll let you check-in. We arrived 3.5 hours before departure last year for an Easyjet flight during the disruption and despite no queue, Easyjet point blank refused to let us check-in until 3 hours before departure.

[isaldiri]

T2 - assume that's a star alliance flight (ie SQ check-in counter?) The singapore airlines check-in has been rather dire whenever i have there last year - if it hasn't improved since would give at least 3 hours tbh if on standard economy.

[sleepezy]

I presume this is all to do with the Heathrow strikes that start on Friday so being a regular on that route doesn't really help unfortunately (I do it every month/other month at the moment).

Heathrow guidance seems to indicate 3 hours before your flight still.

Don't forget to complete your SG arrival card online before travelling, takes minutes and you don't want to be one of those completing it in the arrivals hall! Make sure you use the right website, there's no free involved so if its asking for a charge it's one of the scam sites.

One tip, on arrival if the immigration hall is busy, walk a bit further to find another one. That'll usually be quieter.

[mx stu]

isaldiri said:

T2 - assume that's a star alliance flight (ie SQ check-in counter?) The singapore airlines check-in has been rather dire whenever i have there last year - if it hasn't improved since would give at least 3 hours tbh if on standard economy.

Thanks

Yep SQ flight number. As we're staying near the airport the night before planning to get to the airport around 5am (or just before) givning about 4 hours (if they let us check in that early).

I'm not normally a fan of online check in but presume it's best to do that and just drop bags off... or won't it make much of a difference?

[mx stu]

sleepezy said:

I presume this is all to do with the Heathrow strikes that start on Friday so being a regular on that route doesn't really help unfortunately (I do it every month/other month at the moment).

Heathrow guidance seems to indicate 3 hours before your flight still.

Don't forget to complete your SG arrival card online before travelling, takes minutes and you don't want to be one of those completing it in the arrivals hall! Make sure you use the right website, there's no free involved so if its asking for a charge it's one of the scam sites.

One tip, on arrival if the immigration hall is busy, walk a bit further to find another one. That'll usually be quieter.

Thanks. We're only passing through on the way out as heading down to Bali, presumably we don't need to do SG arrivals card? We're spending a few days in Singapore on the way back so will do it for that (and note what you say about immigration hall).

[sleepezy]

So long as you're not going through Singapore immigration you won't need the SG card (and you can only apply for one within 3 days of arrival so likely will have to complete the form while in Bali).

Don't be worried about online check in and mobile boarding passes - great innovation, so long as you have battery power. I travel with carry on only but presume Singapore Airlines has a bag drop facility - others may be able to verify. You can also normally get boarding passes printed at automatic machines in the departure hall anyway (again, need someone who has flown Singapore to verify).

Changi tends to have security screening at the gate for each individual flight - you don't sound like you're one of the last to get onto the flight but bear in mind you may have to go through another round of security just before boarding.

(and apologies - I didn't see the whole thread title when I wrote my first reply as was using a phone, so hadn't seen your reference to the staff strikes, hence my opening sentence in my previous reply)

[isaldiri]

mx stu said:

Thanks

Yep SQ flight number. As we're staying near the airport the night before planning to get to the airport around 5am (or just before) givning about 4 hours (if they let us check in that early).

I'm not normally a fan of online check in but presume it's best to do that and just drop bags off... or won't it make much of a difference?

Online check-in was pretty much pointless on SQ I've found. It's pretty much a full check-in irrespective (with er.. 3 counters for economy for a flight that can take er maybe 250 eco passengers), the only advantage is to pick your seats doing the online thing.

4 hours should be fine I think, even at the worst I've seen last year you'd have got through and they start to move people who really need to up the queue if needed.

[Collectingbrass]

I would get there early and plan to queue. I would also put an Air Tag in each suitcase you intend to check in and while I would expect your bags to be there at the other end I would plan for the worst and pack hand baggage for 2 - 3 days. T2 is a nice new shiny terminal, but it still relies on the old T1 baggage system.