Next week I'm taking EK for the first time, and in F, from HKG. Sadly EK doesn't have a lounge worthy of the name at HKG so I don't want to be hanging around for ages in the terminal. But I read that check-in/bag drop closes 90 minutes before departure! Is that for real? I haven't flown for a few years, but I don't recall ever checking in that early for a premium cabin on any airline (unless they had a really good lounge). Most airlines close check-in at HKG between 40 and 60 minutes prior to departure, and security etc takes 5 minutes.

Curiously, EK allowed me to book the chaffeur-drive pickup for 125 mins prior to departure and I'm a 50 minute drive from the airport. But was that an error?

And what's the situation at STN for my return? Again no lounge worthy of the name, so I'd rather not be there too early.