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Should be a simple question!

I am travelling from Heathrow to Australia on Christmas day. My first flight leaves Heathrow Terminal 2 at 06.35. Lufthansa insist I be there at 03.35, but I have been told that check in desks open at 05.00.

The simple question, which I can't find the answer to is:

What time do the Lufthansa check in desks open?

I will check in the day before, but will need to drop my bags.

Thanks in advance for any help.
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Comments

  • Westin
    Westin Posts: 6,379 Forumite
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    If a flight leaves at 0635 whoever told you that checkin opens at 0500 is wrong. Checkin is actually likely to close at 0535.

    Recommended checkin is -3hrs before departure.

    Give that it is Christmas Day, traffic getting to the airport might be lighter. You may get away with -2hrs/-2.5h.

    Better to be a hour early rather than a minute late when it comes to air travel checkin times.
  • Westin wrote: »
    If a flight leaves at 0635 whoever told you that checkin opens at 0500 is wrong. Checkin is actually likely to close at 0535.

    Recommended checkin is -3hrs before departure.

    Give that it is Christmas Day, traffic getting to the airport might be lighter. You may get away with -2hrs/-2.5h.

    Better to be a hour early rather than a minute late when it comes to air travel checkin times.

    Possibly with wanting to give staff time off at Christmas there might be less staff than usual so 3 hours would be the minimum time I would be at the airport.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 35,920 Forumite
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    AltheHibby wrote: »
    I am travelling from Heathrow to Australia on Christmas day. My first flight leaves Heathrow Terminal 2 at 06.35. Lufthansa insist I be there at 03.35, but I have been told that check in desks open at 05.00.

    The simple question, which I can't find the answer to is:

    What time do the Lufthansa check in desks open?

    I will check in the day before, but will need to drop my bags.

    Thanks in advance for any help.

    'told' by whom?
    Someone from Lufthansa?
    Or some random down t'pub?

    There's no way I'd arrive at check-in less than 3 hours before my flight.
  • duchy
    duchy Posts: 19,511 Forumite
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    Likely to be minimal staff on , although As most of Europe celebrate on Christmas Eve not Christmas Day flights may be busier than you think. I'd be looking to check in by 4am at latest .
    I Would Rather Climb A Mountain Than Crawl Into A Hole

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  • mgdavid
    mgdavid Posts: 6,710 Forumite
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    As you're checking in (online?) the day before, and only need Bag Drop, I'd happily rock up around 4.30 a.m. or shortly after. But that's just me.
    The questions that get the best answers are the questions that give most detail....
  • peachyprice
    peachyprice Posts: 22,346 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    AltheHibby wrote: »
    I am travelling from Heathrow to Australia on Christmas day. My first flight leaves Heathrow Terminal 2 at 06.35. Lufthansa insist I be there at 03.35, but I have been told that check in desks open at 05.00.

    The simple question, which I can't find the answer to is:

    What time do the Lufthansa check in desks open?

    I will check in the day before, but will need to drop my bags.

    Thanks in advance for any help.

    Which terminal?

    We've had early morning flights from T5 and indeed check in desks didn't open until 5am. Obviously there are no queues at security at that time so it only takes 10 mins or so to get through from dropping your bag to the departure lounge.
    Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear
  • Westin
    Westin Posts: 6,379 Forumite
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    OP mentions LHR/T2 with a Lufthansa flight departing 0635.
  • Pollycat, told be a regular traveller friend.

    All, thanks for the replies.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 35,920 Forumite
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    OK.
    So what have you decided to do?
    Go by your well-travelled friend or what the airline says?
    If my airline was 'insisting' I be there at 03:35, I know which I'd do - especially on the first leg of a trip to Australia.

    For our flights to Bali, Qatar, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines all opened check-in desks 3 hours before departure - which fits with the 03:35 that Lufthansa are 'insisting' on.
  • cubegame
    cubegame Posts: 2,042 Forumite
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    No reason whatsoever to be there any earlier than an hour before departure, certainly on a day/time where they won't be traffic.
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