Should be a simple question!

Westin

cubegame wrote: »

No reason whatsoever to be there any earlier than an hour before departure, certainly on a day/time where they won't be traffic.

Sure?

Lufthansa close checkin at -60min.

Your advice seems a real gamble especially when a connection flight to Australia is concerned.

Pollycat

Westin wrote: »

Sure?

Lufthansa close checkin at -60min.

Your advice seems a real gamble especially when a connection flight to Australia is concerned.

I agree.
Singapore Airlines say to check in at least 90 minutes before departure if you don't have boarding passes printed or you have luggage to check in.
I just can't understand why anyone would want to risk missing a flight.

soolin

cubegame wrote: »

No reason whatsoever to be there any earlier than an hour before departure, certainly on a day/time where they won't be traffic.

I wouldn't gamble on traffic anywhere near the M25 on Christmas day, I have had guests turn up incredibly late due to minor issues on the motorway which due to lack of patrols around have partially closed the road 'to be safe'. I'd rather have an extra cup of coffee in departures at Heathrow than sit in traffic worrying that I might not make my flight.

I think the old days where we all sat at home on Christmas day have long gone, if you have recently travelled anywhere at Christmas I think you might be surprised at how many people are still out there.

PompeyPete

Pollycat wrote: »

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.

Most Big Airlines, who have flights leaving all the time, have an 'All Flights' check-in policy.

mgdavid

Most big airlines have a separate Bag Drop counter. The OP said they will have checked in the day before. I've lived and worked in the Thames valley all my life, and would not expect too much traffic on the approach to Heathrow at 4 in the morning on Christmas day.
The positive thing is that with all the varying views it results in people turning up randomly between 'too early before desks open' and 'just in time before they shut' hence minimising the queues and the chaos if everyone tried to turn up at once!

Pollycat

mgdavid wrote: »

Most big airlines have a separate Bag Drop counter. The OP said they will have checked in the day before. I've lived and worked in the Thames valley all my life, and would not expect too much traffic on the approach to Heathrow at 4 in the morning on Christmas day.
The positive thing is that with all the varying views it results in people turning up randomly between 'too early before desks open' and 'just in time before they shut' hence minimising the queues and the chaos if everyone tried to turn up at once!

Singapore Airlines didn't have a separate bag drop counter.
Just one queue for people who'd checked in on-line and one for people who hadn't.

AltheHibby

Soolin,

We are staying at Heathrow Travelodge and getting minicab.

Thanks again all.

I'm in London soon and might drop in and ask.

If there is a bag drop facility that allows later arrival I will do that.

Of course, if Mrs the Hibby would accept my idea of dossing down in the terminal overnight it would be much easier.��

Thanks again.

PompeyPete

AltheHibby wrote: »

Soolin,

We are staying at Heathrow Travelodge and getting minicab.

Thanks again all.

I'm in London soon and might drop in and ask.

If there is a bag drop facility that allows later arrival I will do that.

Of course, if Mrs the Hibby would accept my idea of dossing down in the terminal overnight it would be much easier.��

Thanks again.

You're doing right. Any flight we get that leaves before noon, we always stay overnight at an Airport hotel.

Gave the car up long ago, much prefer National Express [to Heathrow]. or Southern Rail [to Gatwick]. Takes all the stress away.

mgdavid

Pollycat wrote: »

Singapore Airlines didn't have a separate bag drop counter.
Just one queue for people who'd checked in on-line and one for people who hadn't.

I wonder how that is different?


In any case, the OP is flying Lufthansa...

soolin

AltheHibby wrote: »

Soolin,

We are staying at Heathrow Travelodge and getting minicab.

Thanks again all.

I'm in London soon and might drop in and ask.

If there is a bag drop facility that allows later arrival I will do that.

Of course, if Mrs the Hibby would accept my idea of dossing down in the terminal overnight it would be much easier.��

Thanks again.

That's always a good idea. Technically I only live about 70 minutes drive from Gatwick but never risk the motorway and always book a hotel for any flight departing before noon. It would be the same if I was flying from Heathrow. When my children were young and we were forced to stick to a budget for holidays and couldn't afford a hotel we had a couple of very near misses with traffic when a 70 minute journey turned into 3 + hours.