international flights and check-in

[dannyd0g]

I've got a (very) long-haul flight coming up soon - it says on the bumf that you are required to check in 3 hours prior to take-off !

Does everyone else do as requested, or casually turn up maybe half an hour before the flight is due to leave ?

[April madness]

Well I believe they close check-in about half an hour before the departure time... or at least they say so. I am usually checking in those 2 hours (never have been requested for 3, but then Riga is a small airport) before unless I can do online check in, it saves a lot of time. Other thing is that sometimes there are queues at the security check, so it might take a while. Checking in 3 hours before departure time IMO would be a bit too much

[ADR147]

i do about an hour.

[dannyd0g]

thanks folks - i thought 3 hours was a bit much too, especially as that would mean arriving at 3.45 am for a 6.45 am departure.

[ADR147]

you should be able to check in online before you leave for the airport.

[Monique]

thanks folks - i thought 3 hours was a bit much too, especially as that would mean arriving at 3.45 am for a 6.45 am departure.

I wouldn't take a chance Danny if your flight is for the US especially now with all the political havoc of the elections. They are mad about terrorism.
I'm travelling under diplomatic status and yet need to check in 3 hours in advance ... so.

[ADR147]

yes good point - US iran syria israel the congo all the less developed countries etc maybe worth checking in early

[dannyd0g]

Good point, but I'm going to Australia, via Dubai and Brunei so hopefully things wont be quite so intense

[Ekphantos]

I'd advice you to be there 3 hours before as told, just to be sure, especially if it is a big airport. It took me around 1.5 hours for inner European flights the last times I went.... The security checks are plain awful in some aiports, e.g. Madrid, I'll never go there again.

Funny story about US fears: A friend of mine went to the airport for flying back from the US 5 hours before his flight and promptly was labeled as suspicious as he had turned up so early... insane.

[Asi]

yes good point - US iran syria israel the congo all the less developed countries etc maybe worth checking in early

Mr. Ramsay, we know where you live! The Israeli Mosad

[PaulTheSoave]

Hi, when on a european flight normally one hour in advance is okay. depends on the airport. At Schiphol its very busy at customs, at Prestwick I just could walk through.

For intercontinental flights you have to consider 2 issues, Risk of a flight being overbooked (which happens with several air lines) and security issues. Flying with EL Al will take you much more time to proceed as their security is very tight. I know in Tel Aviv one has to be at the airport 3 hours in advance as one member on here linformed me.

As you are flying down under, 2 hours will be okay,

Wish you a nice flight and stay. I envy you

Good point, but I'm going to Australia, via Dubai and Brunei so hopefully things wont be quite so intense

[dannyd0g]

Cheers everyone for all the replies...

[April madness]

have a great time there, Danny!

[dannyd0g]

have a great time there, Danny!

Cheers April, I will !

[ADR147]

Mr. Ramsay, we know where you live! The Israeli Mosad

I know, I should have added palastine to even it up. but to be fair its not an easy country to get into - especially if like my passport you have some more controversial stamps on it.