Do I REALLY need to be at Heathrow Three Hours Beforehand?
Jun 3rd, 2007, 07:00 AM
#1
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Do I REALLY need to be at Heathrow Three Hours Beforehand?
Normally, I have no problem - indeed a preference - of getting to the airport at the stated three hours before an international departure.
My London Heathrow to Chicago flight is at 8:00 am. Getting there at 5:00 am poses some logistical problems. Given where I’m staying in London, and using the Tube and Heathrow Express, I could get to Heathrow as late as 6:15 am. Of course, I could use a taxi, but I’d rather avoid that large expense if it’s not necessary. I will have one bag to check, by the way.
Does any know if United has a Premier check-in at Heathrow? That will save time. Shesh, I aught to know, but I can’t remember!
Thanks!
My London Heathrow to Chicago flight is at 8:00 am. Getting there at 5:00 am poses some logistical problems. Given where I’m staying in London, and using the Tube and Heathrow Express, I could get to Heathrow as late as 6:15 am. Of course, I could use a taxi, but I’d rather avoid that large expense if it’s not necessary. I will have one bag to check, by the way.
Does any know if United has a Premier check-in at Heathrow? That will save time. Shesh, I aught to know, but I can’t remember!
Thanks!
Jun 3rd, 2007, 10:14 AM
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No, there's never an requirement for a passenger to arrive at an airport 3 hours before departure.
3 hours is when the airline opens up its check-in counter for international flights, and that's when they TELL YOU to arrive.
But in fact, as long as you're checked-in and have luggage checked 60 minute before departure (60min is for most airports), you're okay.
Keep in mind that I am NOT telling you to arrive at 7am. I'm just saying you don't need to be there right at 5.
3 hours is when the airline opens up its check-in counter for international flights, and that's when they TELL YOU to arrive.
But in fact, as long as you're checked-in and have luggage checked 60 minute before departure (60min is for most airports), you're okay.
Keep in mind that I am NOT telling you to arrive at 7am. I'm just saying you don't need to be there right at 5.
Jun 3rd, 2007, 10:47 AM
#3
<i>Does any know if United has a Premier check-in at Heathrow? That will save time. Shesh, I aught to know, but I can’t remember!</i>
Check in at the business class counter; you ought to get priority screening too.
Check in at the business class counter; you ought to get priority screening too.
Jun 3rd, 2007, 06:14 PM
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United has three checkin lines at LHR: first class (in a separate area), business class and frequent fliers (on the left), and everybody else (on the right). I don't remember if Premier is high enough on the pecking order to get in the business line (it might be just Premier Exec and above).
<b>you ought to get priority screening too</b>
Not at LHR T3: you have to be ticketed in a premium cabin to go through the fast lane at departures.
I never take the morning flights, so I don't know how busy the airport is at that time.
<b>you ought to get priority screening too</b>
Not at LHR T3: you have to be ticketed in a premium cabin to go through the fast lane at departures.
I never take the morning flights, so I don't know how busy the airport is at that time.
Jun 5th, 2007, 06:47 AM
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It varies by airport, but I believe you don't get to use Fasttrack (i.e. priority) screening at Heathrow unless you are travelling on a premium (business class or above) ticket. It's not sufficient to have elite status with a frequent flyer programme if you're only travelling economy or economy plus. (You can, however, use priority lines for check-in.)
Jun 5th, 2007, 06:56 AM
#8
Yes, I stand corrected - another brain fizz. Priority check-in, not priority screening unless seated in a premium cabin.
(After working mightily to avoid LHR this summer it now turns out that I will be transiting the %#@ place <i>four times.</i> Arrgh.)
(After working mightily to avoid LHR this summer it now turns out that I will be transiting the %#@ place <i>four times.</i> Arrgh.)
Jun 5th, 2007, 09:24 AM
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Last year I took an 8am flight from Heathrow. I took the HEX around 5:20 and I arrived at LHR around 5:35ish. The lines were longer than I expected at that hour, but there was still ample time to get through security and have a coffee and pastry before boarding.
Jun 15th, 2007, 02:11 PM
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Gardyloo put these 2 links in another post (LGW better than LHR):
These were filmed at Heathrow - the first link was in Terminal 3 (I recgonised the surroundings) but I'm not sure where the second one was in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4xba_YFHj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwB4G7XxyRI
Last October (end of) we went to Heathrow at 7:30am to check in for our noon AA flight to JFK and experienced the extra long queue as shown (those bl**dy queues got worse after the Aug 10 2006 scare). It gets worse at peak holiday times.
So be there more than 3 1/2-4 hours beforehand - and take a TAXI from city!! I know it costs more but it's early! Otherwise you'd spend more staying in a LHR hotel the night before.
Also, if you do not have business class tickets, you're out of luck.
These were filmed at Heathrow - the first link was in Terminal 3 (I recgonised the surroundings) but I'm not sure where the second one was in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4xba_YFHj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwB4G7XxyRI
Last October (end of) we went to Heathrow at 7:30am to check in for our noon AA flight to JFK and experienced the extra long queue as shown (those bl**dy queues got worse after the Aug 10 2006 scare). It gets worse at peak holiday times.
So be there more than 3 1/2-4 hours beforehand - and take a TAXI from city!! I know it costs more but it's early! Otherwise you'd spend more staying in a LHR hotel the night before.
Also, if you do not have business class tickets, you're out of luck.
Jun 17th, 2007, 05:24 AM
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Wow, BlueSea, I wonder if that queue was typical or something out of the ordinary!
Kate has it exactly right - I remember now. I will be able to check in prioity due to Premier status, but not Fasttrack security as I am not flying business.
As it turns out, I will be able to take the 5:25 HEX from Paddington, getting to LHR at 5:40, the one PM successfully took.
Kate has it exactly right - I remember now. I will be able to check in prioity due to Premier status, but not Fasttrack security as I am not flying business.
As it turns out, I will be able to take the 5:25 HEX from Paddington, getting to LHR at 5:40, the one PM successfully took.
