How early can I check in at JFK?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
How early can I check in at JFK?
Hello all-
Looking for some insight from the experts... I am flying from JFK to LHR with a teen group (40 teens!) and I'd like to check in before all the teens arrive at JFK and I have to help get them all checked in. So my question is... how early does checkin at JFK open? We are flying BA 112 with a 6:50pm departure.
Thanks for all help.
Looking for some insight from the experts... I am flying from JFK to LHR with a teen group (40 teens!) and I'd like to check in before all the teens arrive at JFK and I have to help get them all checked in. So my question is... how early does checkin at JFK open? We are flying BA 112 with a 6:50pm departure.
Thanks for all help.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
Welcome to Flyertalk.
I often get that early evening flight and regularly check in 2 1/2 hours before the flight. If JFK is the same as LHR (which it may not be!!) then the maximum check-in time is 3 hours before departure unless you have status or are travelling business/first.
I assume that you would want to stay land-side to help check them in? Once they are air-side then there is shopping to do, but I'm sure they would rather spend their time in New York than JFK!
I often get that early evening flight and regularly check in 2 1/2 hours before the flight. If JFK is the same as LHR (which it may not be!!) then the maximum check-in time is 3 hours before departure unless you have status or are travelling business/first.
I assume that you would want to stay land-side to help check them in? Once they are air-side then there is shopping to do, but I'm sure they would rather spend their time in New York than JFK!
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
I'm going to...
Thanks for the insight (I was hoping to check in way earlier, but not surprised by the answer). I am also on the trip with the group, and I'd like to check in first to get a seat where I can manage the group and remind them all of how to check in and where we are meeting after check in is done (before we all go through TSA together). Being a group we have a block of seats but nothing assigned yet.
They don't get time in NYC... so its meet at JFK, do a quick orientation landside, get airside and allow some meeting each other and and shop/wander.
They don't get time in NYC... so its meet at JFK, do a quick orientation landside, get airside and allow some meeting each other and and shop/wander.
Last edited by sethinohio; Jun 6, 2012 at 8:51 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 18,976
The announcement that we make for arrivals into JFK is that we advice you check in online 24 hours prior to departure or a maximum of 4 hours before departure at the airport check in desks.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BOS, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP MM, UA Plat, DL Silver, SPG Titanium
Posts: 3,946
#8
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Israel (some of the time)
Programs: BA GGL, CCR; AF/KLM FB Silver; M&M LH FTL; LY GLD; HH Diamond; SPG Gold; A-Club Silver; Avis PCI
Posts: 2,054
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Petit Four de Pucci, RedVee's Navigator Badge, BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
After the early morning flight has gone, and things have quitened down, my experience is they keep a check in desk open, so it should be possible to check in from about 10 a.m. I did this the day the ash cloud ended, just to be sure! However, it was quite normal for the desk to be open. JFK is very good and flexible - if it comes to it, ask and you will probably receive!
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Cambs
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, Scandic 3rd Floor, PC Pleb, FB Off White, Tufty Club
Posts: 2,836
Bear in mind that there is little to do at T7 after security, and even less to do before security, so whilst I can see the attraction of early check-in, I can see the disadvantage of a load of bored teens...
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
The teens won't be checking in till way later. I arrive from CLE at 7/15, so I'll chek in early if I can. The teens will do a brief orientation land side, but then we will go airside around 2.5 hours before departure. From a staffing pov I'd rather have them airside, they can't leave, then land side.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,141
You may want to phone BA and ask their advice as to what is best.
Afterall checking in 40 people is a pretty big task - what with checking ID, seat assignments, have they all done their APIS, tagging their bags etc etc - so they may want to put some special arrangements in place to make it easier for them (and you and also other passengers!)
You may also want to check the JFK terminal maps to see what facilities are available e.g. for food and drink both air and landside as in my opinion landside is often better than airside.
Afterall checking in 40 people is a pretty big task - what with checking ID, seat assignments, have they all done their APIS, tagging their bags etc etc - so they may want to put some special arrangements in place to make it easier for them (and you and also other passengers!)
You may also want to check the JFK terminal maps to see what facilities are available e.g. for food and drink both air and landside as in my opinion landside is often better than airside.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
The information in MMB for my JFK to LHR flight states that the airport check in open at 06:30 for AM flights and 10:00 for PM flights.