Originally Posted by
krispy84
Do the NAS trick, drop your bags when check-in opens then head to a local beach front bar for a couple of Gin & Fevertrees and something to eat, then return, depending on your nerve, 45mins - 1 hour before departure. Much preferable to anything in an airport terminal.

Thanks! We sort-of did that (although the tonic was Canada dry, not fevertree): the flight was delayed 3 hours so we stayed on the beach until the last minute and then legged it to the airport, leaving just enough time for a shower in the lounge and a bite to eat... The lack of a lounge was an unwelcome surprise, compounded by the fact that the late departure and 1 hour wait for luggage at T5 meant that the arrivals lounge was closed by the time we got there so I couldn't get showered there either. Fun!