New fangled airline check in

I'm only 63, so should be more tech savvy, but I'm afraid I can't cope with it all, and had a horrible experience at Heathrow a couple of years ago, when my partner sailed through check in o.k, but made a mistake inputting information, which meant my boarding pass wouldn't work, and we were separated by barriers...I went into full panic mode, he had been whisked off and I couldn't get through, I was practically in tears because he wasn't allowed to come back through for me, and I literally didn't know what to do-I couldn't make sense of the notices and instructions on posters, there was noone to ask for help-it was really horrible. Put me off flying again, we will have to, I suppose, but it was truly awful, and spoilt the start of our holiday.

GrannyGravy13

Allira apologies I should have been clearer, Club Europe which is BA’s Business Class in Europe is comparable to the cheapies with all the add ons.

Long haul is a totally different kettle of fish this is when a friendly independent travel agent is an advantage, although Virgin Shops/phone staff are extremely helpful.

I never take anything for granted, life can change on a sixpence, but whilst I can upgrade I will continue to do so, you can’t take the £££ with you on the inevitable final journey.

We find booking economy and adding seat upgrades effective.

I assiduously save card benefits for upgrades.

That's ok, GrannyGravy!

Business class on long haul seems to have increased far more than the price for economy. The difference could pay for a wonderful holiday! Add to that travel insurance too.

Allira apologies I should have been clearer, Club Europe which is BA’s Business Class in Europe is comparable to the cheapies with all the add ons.

Long haul is a totally different kettle of fish this is when a friendly independent travel agent is an advantage, although Virgin Shops/phone staff are extremely helpful.

I never take anything for granted, life can change on a sixpence, but whilst I can upgrade I will continue to do so, you can’t take the £££ with you on the inevitable final journey.

GrannyGravy13

Allira I live 10 minutes away (outside of rush hour 🤔) from a small airport.

If flying with EasyJet I book a front or second row seat with speedy boarding, one carry on bag and a small wheelie case which goes in overhead locker.

They usually only have 5 - 6 flights a day, it is so stress free and quick.

If we are flying over four hours, we tend to use BA Business.

By the time you have added on all the extras, like hold baggage, booking your seat no, refreshments on flight and at the airport it is usually not that more than one of the cheaper options. Plus you get use of the lounge and excellent service.

🤔

I think the difference between long haul economy and business class is far more than the cost of adding a lounge, and food, drinks, baggage, booking a seat are all included anyway on long haul.
Business class on the route we would choose is about £6,000 each. Economy is about £1,000 pp.

GrannyGravy13

knspol

Have been trying to pluck up the courage to go on my first solo holiday next year. Have travelled widely but never booked a flight or travel insurance myself and never used the automatic check ins, my late DH always did this. Reading all these comments has really made me think again.

Please do not let it put you off.

I travelled on my own by air this year, I checked in online, downloaded everything to my phone and as a backup printed off boarding cards (this can be done anywhere with a printer, library, post office etc if you haven’t got one)

Airport staff at both ends were helpful, cabin crew helped with putting my wheelie case in overhead locker.

Book your dream holiday and enjoy 🛫

Thank you.

Allira I live 10 minutes away (outside of rush hour 🤔) from a small airport.

If flying with EasyJet I book a front or second row seat with speedy boarding, one carry on bag and a small wheelie case which goes in overhead locker.

They usually only have 5 - 6 flights a day, it is so stress free and quick.

If we are flying over four hours, we tend to use BA Business.

By the time you have added on all the extras, like hold baggage, booking your seat no, refreshments on flight and at the airport it is usually not that more than one of the cheaper options. Plus you get use of the lounge and excellent service.

It’s years since I have flown. I don’t feel inclined to do so again, especially after reading this thread.

As some posters have reported if you need assistance ring the airline in advance. They will ask a few questions but only to find out what help you need. They are not bothered what the disability is. I just told them I needed a wheelchair for check in and transfers as I was unable to walk far or stand for long.

When I arrived at the airport I was directed to a special room to check in until my "pusher" arrived. If you cannot walk to that point there is a sign at the airport door where you can press a bell and they will come out to meet you. Some airports meet you with a motorised buggy that will whisk you around (I enjoyed that). Airports have bays for assistance passengers so you get to miss all the queues. You will probably get a few dirty looks. (I enjoyed that too).

You will be first on the plane but last off. One fellow passenger was a bit sneery and told me his wife had arthritis but "did not like to make a fuss". I tild him "More likely you are the one who doesnt want to make a fuss" and he then got chapter and verse of the Equality Act. He was probably sorry he had ever opened his mouth,

knspol

Have been trying to pluck up the courage to go on my first solo holiday next year. Have travelled widely but never booked a flight or travel insurance myself and never used the automatic check ins, my late DH always did this. Reading all these comments has really made me think again.

It is more of a daunting procedure on your own, but take yourself through it bit by bit, explore all the options and come on here to ask as many questions as you like.
Just as a tip, local airports can be more helpful at check-in because they cater more for tourists than business people. I find London City too speedy because the flyers on business know exactly what they're doing, and mutter under their breath if others hold up the queues at the machines. Recently, I've preferred to use my small, calm local airport to fly into Amsterdam, then fly on south from there. I know it sounds daft to have to do it twice over, but once on the first leg, KLM look after you at transfers. Also getting to London and then on to the airport is an unwanted 4 or 5 hours stress for me now.

Romola

Next time I fly, I shall develop a pronounced limp and ask for assistance. It really makes all the difference, as I discovered when accompanying someone with impaired mobility earlier this year.

If you need assistance you can book it in advance.
I am limping now so will probably need help.

I think we will both need help if we go again, but don't want wheelchairs. The buggies look like a good way to go through.

Next time I fly, I shall develop a pronounced limp and ask for assistance. It really makes all the difference, as I discovered when accompanying someone with impaired mobility earlier this year.

GrannyGravy13

fancythat

friendlygingercat

The entire business of using an airport is stressful and humiliating. The crowds and the queues are too much. I have decided I dont ever want to fly again.

I rarely fly anyway, but the whole thing of taking hours to go in one part of the building before you can leave from another part, is getting/has got beyond tedious.

If I only have hand luggage I can leave my home and be on the plane in just over an hour. Last time it was 1 hour 5 minutes and I was in my seat.

This is from an airport with a London prefix.

I appreciate it is longer from Heathrow, Gatwick or even Manchester, but if you can go without checked in baggage it is so much easier and quicker.

Well, it's about three hours at least to Heathrow now National Express have cut some routes. No good driving there only to park for weeks of parking when visiting family.
It's no good going with only hand luggage for a few weeks either.

Then going through the airport checkin, security then settle on the plane (if only Business Class was cheaper). Then go through transit with all the same rigmarole, board on another plane.
Heaving cases off carousel, going through immigration .....

Then the same in reverse a few weeks later.

It's really not fun any more.

I loved the self-weigh and labels - saved standing behind all those who did not have/could not find their papers, did not check in or pick seats, but expect to do this in the queue right in front of me.
It did move the queue to security though.

Hated the fact that, having paid for fast path, I was stuck behind a whole load of buggy pushing folks who were sent that way without paying.

Different story the other end though. Herded like cattle into small spaces because the passport machines were apparently not set up for British passports!

GrannyGravy13

fancythat

friendlygingercat

The entire business of using an airport is stressful and humiliating. The crowds and the queues are too much. I have decided I dont ever want to fly again.

I rarely fly anyway, but the whole thing of taking hours to go in one part of the building before you can leave from another part, is getting/has got beyond tedious.

If I only have hand luggage I can leave my home and be on the plane in just over an hour. Last time it was 1 hour 5 minutes and I was in my seat.

This is from an airport with a London prefix.

I appreciate it is longer from Heathrow, Gatwick or even Manchester, but if you can go without checked in baggage it is so much easier and quicker.

Good gosh.

Last time I did it, I think it took 3 hours.
And that is not countimg driving to an airport[ i wont say how far away] and staying the night before in a hotel nearby.

fancythat

friendlygingercat

The entire business of using an airport is stressful and humiliating. The crowds and the queues are too much. I have decided I dont ever want to fly again.

I rarely fly anyway, but the whole thing of taking hours to go in one part of the building before you can leave from another part, is getting/has got beyond tedious.

If I only have hand luggage I can leave my home and be on the plane in just over an hour. Last time it was 1 hour 5 minutes and I was in my seat.

This is from an airport with a London prefix.

I appreciate it is longer from Heathrow, Gatwick or even Manchester, but if you can go without checked in baggage it is so much easier and quicker.

friendlygingercat

The entire business of using an airport is stressful and humiliating. The crowds and the queues are too much. I have decided I dont ever want to fly again.

I rarely fly anyway, but the whole thing of taking hours to go in one part of the building before you can leave from another part, is getting/has got beyond tedious.

I had Assistance this time with BA from Heathrow and thought it wonderful. It took all the strain and stress away. Check in at a special desk (I had checked on already online at home) and they then took over.

knspol

Have been trying to pluck up the courage to go on my first solo holiday next year. Have travelled widely but never booked a flight or travel insurance myself and never used the automatic check ins, my late DH always did this. Reading all these comments has really made me think again.

Please do not let it put you off.

I travelled on my own by air this year, I checked in online, downloaded everything to my phone and as a backup printed off boarding cards (this can be done anywhere with a printer, library, post office etc if you haven’t got one)

Airport staff at both ends were helpful, cabin crew helped with putting my wheelie case in overhead locker.

Book your dream holiday and enjoy 🛫

Have been trying to pluck up the courage to go on my first solo holiday next year. Have travelled widely but never booked a flight or travel insurance myself and never used the automatic check ins, my late DH always did this. Reading all these comments has really made me think again.

Friendlygingercat..how is it humiliating, Stressful,yes but humiliating??????

Sandyk

I agree. Never get it right the first time. Years ago you just picked the tickets up from the travel agent and checked in at the desk while someone did everything for you. Much less stress.

Exactly, but nothing is now done for the benefit of the customer is it? Only for the benefit of the airport or the company or the shop.

Norah

Allira

Norah

We fly often. We always print passes at home. We never fiddle with mobile phones. We look round us - read signs, following all. We plan at home by way of airport internet maps, allow plenty of time.

Wear hiking shoes, coats, jeans, and jumpers. We carry cabin luggage.

However, I know our method may not work seamlessly for all, we are logistical puzzlers and airport check ins make sense to us.

November we'll leave for 5 days in Australia, clothing may be a dilemma.

We do the same.
Boy Scout and Girl Guide. Be pPrepared.
Fine if all goes smoothly but it doesn't always.

Five days in Australia? Thst's a long way to go for five days!

Australia is a long distance, my husband's business requirement. We're flying with seats that adjust for sleeping, logical.

Depending on where, it should be warm, but take a layer if you are going South.

Possibly wet.

If it's North, then I've noticed people tend not to wear macs but use umbrellas instead.

I agree. Never get it right the first time. Years ago you just picked the tickets up from the travel agent and checked in at the desk while someone did everything for you. Much less stress.

Automated check in has been automated in many airports for some time. I find the weighing and then having to place on a conveyor belt quite difficult. Some places hace a gap of about 15' to take your suitcase after weighing and then having to place on its side to go through on belt. At least some airports now have system where you don't need to take items out of your hand luggage for xray or take your shoes off.