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-   -   Ever have a nagging feeling about changing your flight? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/ever-have-a-nagging-feeling-about-changing-your-flight-608309/)

ilovetotravel29 Apr 17th, 2006 08:53 AM

Ever have a nagging feeling about changing your flight?
 
I have had this nagging feeling about changing my return flight from the UK to a later time. I don't know why....I think it is because my flight leaves at 10am and it could be that I am worried about getting to LHR by 7am...even though that should not be a problem. I am thinking about changing my flight time to later if possible.

Anyone else ever have one of those weird kind of nagging feelings???

Maybe I am just getting too hyper about my trip... :I

WillTravel Apr 17th, 2006 09:03 AM

It wouldn't be a nagging feeling in my case. It would just be an immediate realization that I find early flights a bit of a pain. Nonetheless, I have three of them on my next trip. In two cases, I'm staying at an airport hotel, and in the third, will just take a taxi, although I usually don't.

Maybe staying at an airport hotel would resolve your discomfort a bit, and be cheaper than changing your flight.

NorthShore Apr 17th, 2006 09:34 AM

Change it. Life is too short to worry.

Neopolitan Apr 17th, 2006 09:39 AM

I agree to change it if it is going to worry you, but I question your statemtent in which you need to get to the airport three hours before flight? I've always thought two was plenty and I thought the airlines agreed with that idea.

Travelnut Apr 17th, 2006 09:41 AM

Most airlines recommend 2 hours for domestic (at least, US) and 3 hours for international, due to add'l security measures since 9/11.

ilovetotravel29 Apr 17th, 2006 09:42 AM

It is an international flight from LHR to SFO.

WillTravel Apr 17th, 2006 09:42 AM

For Air Canada, 120 minutes is usually enough, but they make a special exception for Heathrow and recommend you be there 180 minutes before the flight. I'm not sure what airline the original poster is using.

Neopolitan Apr 17th, 2006 10:12 AM

Interesting. When I called to check for our flight from Heathrow to Miami on American in January, I was told that it was suggested we be there 2 hours before departure. Ironically we were checked in and cleared security within 15 minutes at most. I hadn't heard some airlines are now saying 3 hours.

tcreath Apr 17th, 2006 10:24 AM

I wouldn't worry about it. I think 10:00 would give you plenty of time to get to the airport okay. I guess because my international flights from Europe to the US always seem to leave before 8:00 a.m. and I have never had a problem, I don't think 10:00 is that early. That said, if you can change it and it would make you feel better, go for it.

Tracy

Carolina Apr 17th, 2006 10:29 AM

How about staying in a hotel at Heathrow the night before your flight? This would probably be cheaper than changing your flight. There are usually good deals with priceline for heathrow.
Carolena

ilovetotravel29 Apr 17th, 2006 10:35 AM

Thanks everyone! I think it is very standard 3 hours for international flights, my travel agent confirmed this as well as my airline.

I learned that I can always take the heathrow express as well.

It is also a bit too late for me to change now since there is no more availability on other flights. Oh well!

Thanks everyone!

Neopolitan Apr 17th, 2006 10:39 AM

From the American Airlines Website:

International Travel (except departing Nassau, Port-au-Prince, Port of Spain or Aruba) 120 minutes (2 hours)


International Travel departing Mexico, Nassau, Port-au-Prince, Port of Spain or Aruba 180 minutes (3 hours)


International Travel departing Delhi, India 210 minutes (3.5 hours)


Makes me glad I fly American.

Intrepid1 Apr 17th, 2006 11:30 AM

I would give myself a minimum of two hours at Heathrow and now here is a horror story to make you feel BETTER:

last year we were flying Vigin Atlantic back from Heathrow to Dulles. As we were checking in the Amercian counter experienced a massive computer failure..talk about chaos and bedlam.

Will that happen to YOU? Probably not but I would be there between 7 and 8.

ilovetotravel29 Apr 17th, 2006 11:33 AM

very funny, intrepid!

I will be there 3 hours ahead of my flight to be on the safe side. I am looking into the whole heathrow express thing as I type this!



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