McCooper

Hello all,
I am booking my flight from London (Heathrow) to Aberdeen - it be for a Sunday morning at either just after 8 or 11:30.

I am trying to decide which flight makes more sense for us - any help on how far in advance we would have to get to the airport would be appreciated.

Also, we are staying in Kensington - how long would it take to get to the airport?

Finally (sorry for the multiple questions) do you think its better to book the rental car for Aberdeen through the airline website or separately with another company?

Thanks so much!

janisj

you need to follow the guidelines from your airline re what time you need to get to LHR. Different airlines have different requirements.

For the 1130 flight it won't take too long to get to LHR - but I'd give it 45 minutes by car service to be on the safe side. It will likely take less but there can always be traffic problems. But for the 0830 flight - there should be practically no traffic at all.

Where to book your car - wherever gets you the best rates. It takes some shopping around because every company/booking site will be slightly different.

McCooper

Thanks janisj. I did try to figure out from the airline site but couldn't see - you're right though and it must be there so I will try again. Thanks for the info re timing for the drive.

flanneruk

It's not on the website.

BA are the only carrier on the route, and I've only ever been able lately to get checkin times from their website after booking. And you don't want to book till you know what the checkin time is.

I THINK their standard for checking in with bags is 45 mins on domestic flights, or 30 if you've checked in online and just use the luggage dropoff. Without bags, it's 15 mins at the gate - but allow at least 20 to get through security.

But you really need to phone them, unless some other kind poster knows an obscure page of the site.

alanRow

<<< Opening and closing times for check-in and boarding can vary by airport so it is important to find out the times that apply from where you are departing. >>>

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...f/public/en_gb

flanneruk

And you can't follow the link that page throws up till you've booked a flight. And even then it'll tell you the times only for THAT flight

Now someone: is there a page hidden on the BA site that lets the ordinary punter find out?

McCooper

Thanks very much to you both - I thought I was losing it because I kept looking and couldn't find it - usually it is very easy to find on airline websites!

As you say flanneruk I didn't want to book until I knew the answer. Your rough guides make sense - I will call ba to confirm.

Thanks

sheila

It's an hour with luggage. In fact, it's an hour without. The big issue these days is security. I would take a tube- the Picadilly line runs through Kensington and goes right into Terminal 1- about an hour before the time you want to be there. Me, I would also check in on line the night before.

I don't think it matters a jot where you book your rental car, but make sure it's someone with a base at ABZ.

If i can help with Aberdeen at all, let me know.

McCooper

Thanks so much. I came back on to let everyone who helped know that I have now been able to book and on bmi the check in is one hour before unless you have booked in online and then it is 30 mins.

I agree Sheila with both your suggestions - book online and one hour before (30 mins way too short for me!)

I would love some help with Aberdeen and environs - I am trying to rework some things in my itinerary. Once I do that I should probably do a new post?

Thanks again!

sheila

Please do. And/or email me.