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Airport check in times

(56 Posts)
wildrose Mon 12-Oct-15 03:10:50

Forgive me if I sound useless but I could do with some guidance and cannot seem to find what I need online. Has anyone recently traveled from Leeds Bradford airport to Dublin and, if so, how long before departure were you expected to get there? I give myself credit for having already booked in online but I will admit to being anxious as I haven't flown in 20 years and have heard stories of 3.5hr waits being necessary these days. My boarding pass states that I will be boarding at 7.45am and one friend has said that arriving an hour before boarding will suffice. I am travelling aloneon Friday, taking hand luggage only and feel worked up about it even though it should be straightforward.
I thought it best to ask in this general section as the travel forum doesn't seem to be very active. I do hope someone has made the trip and can advise me

rosequartz Mon 12-Oct-15 13:53:05

We went from the snazzy new Terminal 2 at Heathrow this year.
We didn't like it much at all

We always have loads of time to spend there as we catch the coach up; there aren't that many leaving our area and DH likes to leave in plenty of time just in case there are traffic jams on the way. We used to have a nice relaxing meal at T4 before embarking but the food at T2 was abominable.

I think two hours is plenty from a regional airport; not sure about LBA. However, there is often a long way to trek to get on to the plane and I don't walk as fast as I used to.

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 12:42:37

I think they are after luggage space pittcity.

I've often wondered about London City Airport. Where can you fly to from there?

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 12:40:31

jollyg the Business Class* lounge at Heathrow is good. And offers very nice food. I don't like the rest of it much. Too noisy and crowded.

Pittcity Mon 12-Oct-15 12:35:29

We used London City for the first time this weekend. A lovely airport. Very small and friendly and an hour before is sufficient as it is no distance through security to the gate. Not for the faint hearted though as it's small planes on a short runway. Spectacular when returning over London on a dark night though.
We usually allow two hours at larger airports and abroad as you don't know about the length of queues and it is nice to sit and people watch. I find it fascinating the way people jostle to sit nearest the boarding gate and hover on the edge of their seat to be first in the queue when you have an allocated seat and will have plenty of time to board.

jollyg Mon 12-Oct-15 12:25:50

Jing

Heathrow is the devils work.

Have not been there for years. Luckily we
have other airports which either fly direct or hub.

SandyD Mon 12-Oct-15 12:22:40

We always check in online the day before but still get to the airport at least 2 hours before so I can look round the shops or get a bite to eat, unless of course we are in business class, only twice unfortunately, which was lovely.

Zephrine Mon 12-Oct-15 12:11:32

We usually allow 2 hours but have just flown to Portugal and back from Manchester' checked in online and only took hand luggage and were waved straight through, didn't have to go via check in desk at all. Brilliant!! Still had to queue for security though.

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 11:48:05

Yes. Coming back is never as good. You can't beat Heathrow, with Gatwick a close second.

I nearly fell onto the flippin' carousel trying to help DD with her case. She was quite rude to me. hmm Shan't bother again.

Galen Mon 12-Oct-15 11:16:40

Ps. That's Gary the gardner with the case. He's 6'3"

Galen Mon 12-Oct-15 11:15:35

Jbf I agree. I fly business from Heathrow and need disabled assistance.
My problem is always on the return when I need a wheelchair and a porter. There are never any porters at the carousel and as my luggie is in a very large case, a porter is necessary.
See photo

annodomini Mon 12-Oct-15 10:33:05

Enjoy flying, hate airports. Short-haul flights from Manchester usually specify arriving one hour before departure which I think is cutting it a bit fine. I always seem to have to get to the furthest gate where all the seats will be already occupied by the time I arrive. I am always 'patted down' at security because my hip and shoulder implants set the alarms off, even when I've been through the total x-ray booth. However, as soon as I feel that 'lift off', it's (almost) all been worthwhile.

grannyactivist Mon 12-Oct-15 10:02:22

I like to fly and I enjoy the anticipation, but I only relax once I'm in departures so I also arrive far earlier than necessary. Much better to be early and enjoy a coffee and a newspaper in the departure lounge than turn up frazzled and worried that you may be late.
Enjoy your trip. smile

Maggiemaybe Mon 12-Oct-15 09:56:44

LBA is fine. I've been through there twice this Summer. An hour would probably be plenty of time with hand luggage only and being checked in already, but two hours will give you peace of mind and ample time to sit and people watch for ages once you're through security. Of course, being paranoid I always get there 3 hours early so I can twiddle my thumbs enjoy the airport facilities for even longer. grin

Marmight Mon 12-Oct-15 09:55:35

I always try to get to the airport at least 2.5 hours before the flight. Bag drop alone can take anything up to an hour and that's before joining the queue for Security which could take as long. Far better to waste time airside than panic and become all flustered landside.

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 09:46:54

You forgot the grin. Or the wink

smile

Stansgran Mon 12-Oct-15 09:43:36

Oh dear it is too early . I meant my comment as a joke too. I know too well the butterflies in the tummy at airports. Frequently been in the wrong place often with too small grandchildren who foolishly trusted me . Pax vobiscum.

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 09:37:10

state hmm

#tooearly

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 09:36:20

And you can take that remark as a joke, or not. As the stae of your mind takes you. smile

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 09:35:35

pigging out on BA's delicious buffet meals

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 09:34:58

PS. I have only ran for a plane once in my life. It was NOT a pleasant experience.

Of course, the ideal is to fly Business Class, and spend at least a couple of hours pigging out on BAS's delicious. And ^yummy* cookies.

(wouldn't do it any other way TBH)

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 09:32:21

Of course it wasn't mean!!! It was meant to be light-hearted! (You know - a joke! Heard of one?) Incredulous hmm !!!

Stansgran Mon 12-Oct-15 09:29:48

That's mean JBF . Leeds Bradford has improved over the years. It was grim beyond grim in days gone by. I've not been there this year but if the hand luggage checking is slow it's worth buying the fast track and I think you can do it on the spur of the moment. I always found it worth looking at what was flying out at the same time. There is also a lounge that you pay to go in if it's busy outside at holiday times ie half term and you anticipate a long wait.

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 12-Oct-15 09:14:36

Of course it can depend on how good you are at running. shockwink

wildrose Mon 12-Oct-15 09:11:30

Thank you all, you have put my mind to rest smile

glammanana Mon 12-Oct-15 08:44:51

My friend is off to Dublin next Tuesday and she always allows 2 hours prior to boarding,she relax's and has a coffee and finds her gate so the time passes quickly enough. Enjoy your trip