Heathrow T4, Continental to USA - checkin time?

slewis1972

Hi All

Off to the USA on Saturday morning, 8.30am flight and wondered what how long I should leave check in time?
I will do the actually checkin in online and then hand my luggae into Continental, Terminal 4 at Heathrow when I get there.

For international flights they tend to state 3hrs but as T4 is pretty deserted since BA moved out and I will be doing the actual checkin in online, I was thinking more like 2 hrs?

Thoughts or should I stick for 3 hrs?

Scott

PolishBigSpender

Stick to 3 hours. It's a long haul international flight, and while T4 might be empty, there's no guarantee that nothing will go wrong - T5 could completely break down for whatever reason and many flights could end up diverted to T4.

Better safe than sorry with these long haul flights - yes, I appreciate it's a pain, but for peace of mind, 3 hours is worthwhile. It'll also give you plenty of breathing space in case of traffic trouble in/around Heathrow.

neilbond007

Better to be 2 hours early than 2 minutes late.
I'd also stick with 3 hours. You'll have to get up early but get some shut eye on the flight

whatusername

And if you go 3 hours instead of 2 it's an extra hour on the beer

qwerty123456

slewis1972 wrote: »

Hi All

Off to the USA on Saturday morning, 8.30am flight and wondered what how long I should leave check in time?
I will do the actually checkin in online and then hand my luggae into Continental, Terminal 4 at Heathrow when I get there.

For international flights they tend to state 3hrs but as T4 is pretty deserted since BA moved out and I will be doing the actual checkin in online, I was thinking more like 2 hrs?

Thoughts or should I stick for 3 hrs?

Scott

Do NOT go to LHR T4 3 hours before your flight as you'll go insane with boredom as most of the shops and bars are closed due to the refurbishment. I believe Continental's latest check in is 1 hour so you should aim to be there about 90 minutes before the flight.

qwerty123456

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Stick to 3 hours. It's a long haul international flight, and while T4 might be empty, there's no guarantee that nothing will go wrong - T5 could completely break down for whatever reason and many flights could end up diverted to T4.

You should ignore this post, it's kust not the way that operations work at LHR.

PolishBigSpender

qwerty123456 wrote: »

You should ignore this post, it's kust not the way that operations work at LHR.

Yes, I know BA would rather cancel thousands of flights rather than divert to another terminal, but it's still better to be safe than sorry. Your advice of arriving 90 minutes before a long haul international flight is frankly ridiculous.

qwerty123456

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Yes, I know BA would rather cancel thousands of flights rather than divert to another terminal, but it's still better to be safe than sorry. Your advice of arriving 90 minutes before a long haul international flight is frankly ridiculous.

I work at T4. I suppose that would enable me to make an informed decision rather than the stab in the dark that you made.

whatusername

qwerty123456 wrote: »

I work at T4. I suppose that would enable me to make an informed decision rather than the stab in the dark that you made.

Well you of all people will know that 90 mins check in before long haul is a touch on the neat side.

M4RKM

I'm the kind of person, (to echo whatusername said) that will get there early, and have the extra hour on the beers..

Airports are such a time warp, when you get past security, screw the shopping, and what, I head straight to the bar, and relax with a few cold beers before I get herded like cattle into a 17" x 31" space for 8 hours....

depends what you want.. safe in the knowledge that you're ready for your holiday, or stressing and rushing around when they closed the M4 due to an overturned lorry, and you've only got 100 minutes to get to the airport, check in, and through security...

M

old_motters

markymoo wrote: »

I'm the kind of person, (to echo whatusername said) that will get there early, and have the extra hour on the beers..

Airports are such a time warp, when you get past security, screw the shopping, and what, I head straight to the bar, and relax with a few cold beers before I get herded like cattle into a 17" x 31" space for 8 hours....

depends what you want.. safe in the knowledge that you're ready for your holiday, or stressing and rushing around when they closed the M4 due to an overturned lorry, and you've only got 100 minutes to get to the airport, check in, and through security...

M

For an 8:50am flight I have stayed at the airport the previous night for £50 bed and breakfast (Jurys Inn at Heathrow via hotelopia, accessible by tube) and then saunter to the terminal for 6:30/6:45am. It's far more relaxing for those of us who don't live in London/M4 corridor.

As for beer that early in the morning :lipsrseal