What time do you check in

I hope this has not been asked before I did do a quick search (apologise if it has)

I fly economy most of the time, there has been the occasion when we have flown first (our wedding) and premium (thanks to upgrades and miles) but majority of the time its economy. Although sat in the cockpit on landing once at Wasington (Before sept 2001).

In order to get the best seats belive me I get there early before the desks open sometimes, I think people think Im mad but its well worth it to either get the bulk, fire exit or those back seats (on the 747) for a 11 hour flight.

Do you bother getting there at the crack of dawn? or just get the seat your given and are not to fussed either way
( I know thats its not a problem for you Upper Classers but if you see me back there please intvite me up for a glass of Chanpagne! LOL)

have a good weekend
B

Hi LOL,
Believe me I'm with you....I always get there as soon as I can persuade my husband to get to the airport!!! Never succeeded with Virgin but have got bulkhead etc with AA & BA before - it makes all the difference! We fly out at the beginning of August and this time we're turning left for the first time!!! so I'm excited too:D Don't worry I won't get ideas above my station,I know what it's like to travel in economy on longhaul flights on a regular basis!!!! If only that darned seat would go back 2 more inches....

[Nottingham Nick]

I always check in reasonable early (3 hours) but that is because I hate last minute rushes and delays, and can always find things to keep me occupied in airports:)

As far as getting the best seats is concerned, you haven't said if you are flying from LGW - if so you can make use of the twilight check in. The subject of exit rows is more about whether you are prepared to shell out £50 ($75 eastbound) that the time you check in.

I think it is 60% of the economy seats that are pre-allocated, so the time of booking is more applicable here.

Exit rows are allocated on check in.

Nick

hi

We Heathrow luckly as Gatwick is further away. We did fly gatwick recently but prebooked the rows at the very back with the extra space to the side (747) so it wasnt too bad

b

Hi,

On VS I always check in at least 3 hours ahead of flight time to allow for any delays through security etc ( then it gives me more time in the clubhouse!! for breakfast, haircuts etc)

Regards

TBS

[RichardMannion]

I check in at least 3 hours before, but then thts because I like to spend time in the Clubhouses and chatting to staff.

If you are getting there early for seats, remember that being early is no guarantee for good seats, especially if flying from LGW as there is the Twilight Check-in hte night before.

Thanks,
Richard

I usually arrive at check-in ~4-4.5hrs before the flight, no matter what class of travel I'm in.

If I'm in Econ/PE I like to get there early so I can secure an exit row seat, then go off and enjoy a few beers with a full English breakfast in either O'Neills or TGI Fridays (isn't that an oxymoron - full English in either an Irish bar or an American restaurant? )

Never been in the Clubhouse at either LHR or LGW, but when I know I'm in UC on the inbound leg, I like to be so early so I can get maximum usage of the facilities

Cheers

Michael

I personally like to get to the airport early.

I dont think in terms of upgrades etc it matters when you arrive as most airlines pre-upgrade based on flying status anyway.

Obviously they may need to make a few changes if these people dont show.
Bulkheads are usually held for parents with babies and people with additional needs. (not all are always used though)
I know people that like to relax at the airport and others that like to get to the airport/gate as late as they can.

if you have lounge access that helps - I got a haircut on the way out to FL:D and a great shoe shine - Thanks Jack!

Hi Jonathan

if they pre upgrade people then before you get there it does'nt matter how nice you are to check in or how well you are dressed if your not already on the lisT! your not upgraded

They sometimes DO have a FEW seats to upgrade at check in but truthfully most upgrades will already be allocated to Gold/Silver FC members.

So it really doesnt matter that much what you wear!!

Have been upgraded 3 times because I was LATE checking in (once Virgin, once BA, once American) - I hasten to add, was not late on purpose (but because of circumstance beyond our control...).

Didn't have status on any of the flights, it was just because Economy was packed (VS LHR-LAX, BA DEN-LHR, AA New York-LHR) and it was either upgrade us or not get us on to the flight (I suppose that they could have "shuffled" people between classes to get us into economy, but I have a nice smile and am very polite ).

Still, I wouldn't recommend checking in late - it is a bit stressful! [:(]

Boo

[HighFlyer]

We usually get there between 2-3 hours before departure, although if we have Clubhouse passes we will get there a bit earlier to maximise the time there.

We usually travel PE and pre-book the seats so we do not feel a great need to get there early, as there is rarely a huge queue for PE check-in. However, when i have travelled Economy before we have got to the airport very early to get the back few rows of two. On the way back from LAS once we got there before check-in opened! (we got the seats though!!)

I have also been the person who was late, but i find that i end up having to rush about which isnt fun.

I'm one of those people who hates been late and allows for problems/delays enroute, so I tend to get there pretty early. I've been there before check-in opened on more than one occassion! I'm quite happy to wander round shops or sit and read (and Priority Pass usually means that I can do that in quiet and comfort. Have managed to get bulkhead / exit route seats (in the days before they started charging for them) by being one of the first there. (I'm 5'3" so don't find economy legroom too bad, but my travelling companion of the time was 6'+)

quote:Originally posted by Boo Boo
Have been upgraded 3 times because I was LATE checking in (once Virgin, once BA, once American) ...I have a nice smile and am very polite ).

Still, I wouldn't recommend checking in late - it is a bit stressful! [:(]

Boo

It is possible to get an upgrade without status - just not that likely!!

Your Lucky I guess!! (and/or maybe have a great smile[8D])

I always get to check in early for several reasons;

1) I like to have a choice of seats, particulalry an exit row

2) I hate being late/nearly late, I enjoy travelling, looking at my watch every two minutes wondering if I'm going to make it on time rather spoils the enjoyment

3) Airports are great for people watching, settling down with a pint and watching poeple, wondering where there going to etc can keep me entertained for long time

4) If I'm lucky enough to have clubhouse access I want to make the most of it!

VSlf

Same here

For me my Holiday Starts the minute I leave home (okay, when I'm packing on some big trips!) and even though I always pre book my seats I just like being there nice and early. I just like to soak up the atmosphere. Its always fun at Heathrow looking at the departure boards; every time I'm there I find a flight to somewhere I've never even heard of!!

Only ever flown EC and PE but you can guarantee when I fly UC I'll be there about three hours earlier still !

Dean

p.s If you have any spare time in T3 go to the vintage wine shop and have a look for the 45 that behaves like a 48. Everytime I go there they still have this £4500 bottle hasn't sold yet...

i norm get to the airport about 2 hours before departure but as wolves27 when i fly uc next year i'll get there 4 hours before so i can enjoy the clubhouse

Dont get there before the clubhouse opens as I did last time I flew!

Yeah not a good idea, although you can always kill time filling out Morgan Stanley Credit Card applications as you pass through security (free travel clock - just what I always wanted!) and then live like common people for a bit in departures.

On an early flight I've always wanted to have a pint in the pub in T3, just becuase I can... Cider at 9 in the morning is never good for me though [:p]

Dean

Dean

quote:On an early flight I've always wanted to have a pint in the pub in T3, just becuase I can...

Yup, I always have a full English breakfast with a pint of bitter - just because I can

quote:Cider at 9 in the morning is never good for me though [:p]

Cider at anytime isn't any good for me - but a pint of bitter will set me up for the day

Cheers

Michael

quote:Cider

ummmmmm cider


I always try to get to check in at least 4 hours before whatever airline whatever class I hate being late.The LHR clubhouse opens at 7am as I found out on the last trip as we got to it at 6.30am.

I got there at 6:45am (LGW) so I went over top Duty Free as they have a better Scotch selection than in flight!

I was annoyed not to be first in when I got back @7:03am!!