How much time to allow for security checks?

kawan2

Hi,

I need to catch a Sunday 06:30 am flight at Heathrow Terminal 2 during the Oct half-term holidays. The recommendation used to be 1.5 -2 hours before check-in. Does this still hold or do I need more time with the extra security checks? I will be travelling with a young child.

Thanks.

IvanOpinion

I would suggest allowing AT LEAST 2 hours. I have not been in Heathrow for quite a few years but the queues at security in Gatwick can take a while to negotiate.

Ivan

peterbaker

I can't advise the OP on the Heathrow specifics, but the question raised what I thought was an interesting phenomenum in the workings of our airports.

As many of you will notice, I just happen to use Ryanair a lot from Stansted.

The security queues there can often be horrendous, but I never allow any extra time for them

The strange fact at Stansted is that you can (currently, but watch this space!) check in as late as 41 minutes before the flight time. You then might have to join an enormous queue for security.

But I have no fear that if I thought I would fail to get to the gate with less than say 20 minutes to spare that I would succeed in attracting someones attention and get given a shortcut through the scanners!

I have never had to do that, and sometimes I have gone right down to the wire, and sometimes Ryanair do close the gate early to get the plane taxying early if they can. But somehow it all seems quite stress-free - maybe I am just too laid back thesedays!

I have seen some people panicking and negotiating with other passengers to let them short-circuit across the corners of the queuing labyrinth because they think they are late! They usually tell their flight time and plead "Do you mind" and I have more than once wryly noted that their flight-time is in fact 10 minutes or more later than mine, yet been quietly confident and lethargic enough to let the queue take its course

Anyway, I guess until someone else comes along and advises on Heathrow, then Ivan's opinion is the best advice . Afterall, I am the person who once missed a flight because he was well through security on time, but then got distracted by the Pick the Ball / Win a Ferrari stall :rotfl:

dmg24

I never arrive at the airport more than an hour before time. Never have time for duty free, but no waiting around either.

seftonsun

Used T2 at LHR in June and took less than 10 mins to get through mid Thursday afternoon. Lot depends on how many flights are scheduled to depart at the same period as yours.

You'll probably find the immigration queues at passport control on the way back through LHR are worse!!!

Diddidi

I travel regularly through Heathrow for business and always allow myself 1.5 to 2 hours. Sometimes you have no queue at all and other times there is the most horrendous queue - depends which piece of equipment goes wrong and whether there has been another security scare:rotfl:

I suppose a lot depends on whether you are of a nervous disposition - if so, arrive early and grab a coffee somewhere and chill out - if seat of your pants is more your style then obviously allow less time.

richardw

T2 doesn't have flights to the USA, which is good.

Check www.baa.com for when the terminal building opens, so you aren't waiting outside.

Maggiemoo_2

Hi, we are travelling to Australia from T4 in December. We have never travelled from this terminal before. Does anyone have any ideas about how much time to leave for this terminal? Thanks,

Sam_Bee

Use this as a warning!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4xba_YFHj8

Joto_2

If the check indesk only opens 2 hrs before your flight you won't be able to go through any earlier anyway. I haven't been through Heathrow for a while, but every other airport I spend my time queuing at security rather than idling away the time in duty free. I'm surprised the duty free shops haven't kicked up a big fuss because they must be losing money. Unless your flight is delayed you don't seem to have any time to browse, linger over drinks etc.
No good to you but Liverpool now have a fast track system for £2 where you beat the crowds and go straight through - best £2 I've every spent!