dsFlight to America - Check In Advice

[Progressive]

Mods: Thought i'd post in the lounge as I need a quick answer! Feel free to move on after it has had some traffic. Cheers.

I'm flying from Heathrow to the States at 8pm tonight. What are the current check in windows for trans-atlantic flights. I went through the online check in process but it finished up with 'go to a desk at the airport for your boarding pass'. I've got a bag to check aswell.

The airline is Continental if that makes a difference.

I think that getting there 3 hours before the flight is a bit overkill if I can get there an hour before.

Thanks,

[Targarama]

Less than an hour before and they probably won't let you get on as most longhaul checkins close 1hr before the flight. Aim for 2 hours to give you a safety window for getting into the airport/parking/getting through security and so on.

[Gareth79]

I always aim for 2-3hrs before, better to be sitting in the terminal relaxing than in a jam on the motorway sweating.

[maser_spyder]

Heathrow check-in can be a disaster area.

Aim for 3 hours before, it'll take an hour to check in and get through security at least. Plus, all the extra security measures for US flights take a little longer.

My last check-in at Heathrow took 2 hours.... And the one before that was the same.

[davidjpowell]

I'd stick with 3 hours myself. Would be a bit foolish to be watching the flight take off without you to save 30 minutes...

[fergywales]

+1 for 3 hours.

Heathrow is a bloody nightmare, I fly to the States half a dozen times a year and I guarantee I waste more time there than any other airport in the UK.

[Dupont666]

I feel the OP should do what he thinks is best and if he does less than 3 hours can the OP please come back and tell us how fking useless the checkin staff, the security and the system is when you miss the flight for not following the 3 hour rule for long haul flights and Heathrow is a most definate 3 hour rule.

[Vanya]

Has to be a minimum of 3 hours especially since you have to do the check-in route.
And if they don't get you there they'll for sure get you in the security check queues.
In fact looking at the time of your flight and allowing the 3 hour rule you'll be hitting the terminal at a peak time.
To be safe and minimise stress I'd be looking at 4 hours myself, I've done that before!!!

Looking at your profile, Teeside?!?!?!
Even an overnighter at one of the LHR hotels would have been on the list too!

Good luck.