3 hour Check in for long haul flights!!!

caesura

Just noticed that check in for long haul flights in 3HOURS!!!

Anyone know if there's any alternative options to this?

I'm flying out at 6.50am on Monday and this would mean being in the airport at 3.50am

Anyone recently flown long hall and if so do you have any idea what time they close the check in desks...in particular if you've flown to malayasia - couldn't find any info on net...i'm thinking if check-in time is longer then check-in might close earlier too maybe??

Anyone got any tips or advice on this - i'd really appreciate it because i really don't want to be hanging around for 3hrs in the Airport!

Cheers

the dee

My boyf flew back to Australia last week and checked in 2 hours before. There was a small queue but nothing major. 2 hours should probably be ok. You're always going to be hanging around the airport for an hour or two no matter where you're going though.

BuffyBot

You could probably cut it a little tighter than 3 hours if you don't care where you sit etc.

However, generally it's better to be earlier to allow time for long queues/security delays etc. Bring a book, problem solved

As for the check-in closing time, that's up to the airline. Generally it's 45 -30 minutes before the flight.

jjbrien

Where are you flying to? If you goign to the US then 3 hours would be right as you have to do pre immigration fro the US

jonny68

Usually when i fly long haul ill be there about 2 hours before take off,that is sufficient enough time i reckon.

Rashers72

Less flights are pre-clearing in Dublin, so that will give you more time to play with during check in.
It would be great to find out exactly which US bound flights pre-clear, and which don't, in advance. It's a bit hit and miss @ the moment.

inisboffin

My Cuz works on a lot of longhaul, for some BA flights the cut-off for check in is officially 2 hrs (3 hour 'minimum' supposed check in) ..people check in sometimes an hour and a half or so before BUT I wouldn't do it much less than 2 hours if I were you.

Tuesday_Girl

You should be ok if you allow 2 hours.

I arrive at the airport 1 hour before long-haul flights and 45 minutes before flights within Europe. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach but I haven't missed a flight yet

Goodluck2me

Razzle wrote: »

You should be ok if you allow 2 hours.

I arrive at the airport 1 hour before long-haul flights and 45 minutes before flights within Europe. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach but I haven't missed a flight yet

missed my first flight a few weeks ago taking this approach!

Suzywuzy

Yep. I've flown to Canada a few times and going again this year. London Heathrow is usually a disaster to get through, so this time we're flying Dublin - Vancouver direct. Not sure how long before flight, check in is though. When we flew to Toronto in order to fly on to Edmonton a few years ago (and the same coming home), we had to hang around for like 4 or 5 hours !!! Nightmare !!!

namaimo

Suzywuzy wrote: »

Yep. I've flown to Canada a few times and going again this year. London Heathrow is usually a disaster to get through, so this time we're flying Dublin - Vancouver direct. Not sure how long before flight, check in is though. When we flew to Toronto in order to fly on to Edmonton a few years ago (and the same coming home), we had to hang around for like 4 or 5 hours !!! Nightmare !!!

I didnt realise you could now fly direct from Dublin-Vancouver...what airline is it??

How Strange

For long haul I would definitely check in 2 hrs before. They usually can pre-clear you all the way from Dublin. AFAIK, most check in desks aren't open 3hrs before in Dublin. The main problem to leaving check in on any flight from Dublin to 1hr beforehand is its more likely for your baggage to get left behind in Dublin. Dublin airport is absolutely crazy and it can be busier at 5.30am than in the middle of the afternoon.

Personally, I think 2 hrs is plenty of time. Check in, get through the departure gate and go have a coffee and relax. It's better than leaving it too late and having to rush through because of long queues.