How early for checkin at LHR

Hi everyone,

I haven't flown from LHR before, haven't flown since pe-9/11, and for the first time ever will now have a toddler in tow, so it makes our decision of how early to check in a complicated one. We're flying PE but my parents are with us in E, and I think Virgin recommends at leat 2 hours for us and 3 hours for them.

It seems as though many of the Virgin FFs on v-flyer arrive upwards of 4 hours in advance (to enjoy the clubhouse, shopping, etc.)

As it is, we'll be leaving our hotel in Windsor at 7 am to get to LHR by 8 for the LHR-SFO flight that leaves at 11 am. Leaving our hotel at 7 am means we have to skip the hotel's breakfast. Are there good places to eat inside T3? (It IS T3, right?)

THANKS in advance for your help.
~kat

As an additional question, the VS website says that if you use the online check-in (within 24hours of your flight), you can drop your luggage in to get your boarding pass up to 60mins before your flight is due to leave?

So, if you use the online check-in, you only have to be at the airport a minimun of 1 hour before flight departure??

Hi Kat

Since you're receiving answers on this subject in this thread, I'll lock this one down

TJ - yes, I'd think your assumption is correct

Cheers

Michael