BA bag-drop close-out times at BRU
Dec 21, 2023, 9:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brussels and London
Programs: BA Exec Club (silver) and Miles and More
Posts: 11
BA bag-drop close-out times at BRU
Hello there!
Today I arrived sprinting to the bag-drop at BRU for a flight to LHR after having been delayed owing to two cancelled trains. I turned up at T-57 and was told that the flight had closed. I asked them nicely in Dutch if there was any way they could reconsider and they reopened and took my bag to my very great relief and gratitude.
Then, irony of ironies, when I got to the lounge I was told there was a 30 minute delay! (But that they always close check-in on schedule).
Is T-60 standard on BA flights down route for short haul? It seems a little bit on the strict side. Ditto not allowing much of a margin when the flight is delayed. (Admittedly in my case they did, but it was close!)
Today I arrived sprinting to the bag-drop at BRU for a flight to LHR after having been delayed owing to two cancelled trains. I turned up at T-57 and was told that the flight had closed. I asked them nicely in Dutch if there was any way they could reconsider and they reopened and took my bag to my very great relief and gratitude.
Then, irony of ironies, when I got to the lounge I was told there was a 30 minute delay! (But that they always close check-in on schedule).
Is T-60 standard on BA flights down route for short haul? It seems a little bit on the strict side. Ditto not allowing much of a margin when the flight is delayed. (Admittedly in my case they did, but it was close!)
Dec 21, 2023, 9:19 am
#2
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Hi
Most european airports is t-45 for bag drop
but a few airports inc Bru and ber are t-60
Info on BA.com
Regards
Tbs
Most european airports is t-45 for bag drop
but a few airports inc Bru and ber are t-60
Info on BA.com
Regards
Tbs
Dec 21, 2023, 9:27 am
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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It's a pre-programmed 45 minutes for most shorthaul locations, but BRU is one of a handful of locations with a 1 hour cut-off, the full list being:
Amsterdam, Amman, Antalya, Barcelona, Berlin (Brandenburg), Brussels, Cairo, Dalaman, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Istanbul - SAW (Sabih Gokcen Airport), Larnaca, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan (Malpensa), Palma de Mallorca, Paphos and Paris
so these places are longer than LGW and LHR, both 45 minutes, and LHR is 35 minutes for then getting to security. Longhaul is 1 hour throughout, LCY is the other exception in the other direction, 20 minutes for baggage drop.
BRU sometimes is a bit sticky at passport and security screen points, its presence overall isn't as justifiable as some of the other locations, BER and CAI spring to mind where you really need the full hour, sometimes BCN. But I can well see why the agents gave you a bit of grace, it can be over-ridden despite what they may say. And BRU is pretty efficient overall. Check-in (so this is different to baggage drop) is a pretty hard 1 hour requirement, hence OLCI is a good idea just in case something happens. If all else fails you may be able to dump any large liquid items and take checked bags to the gate for re-checking there.
Amsterdam, Amman, Antalya, Barcelona, Berlin (Brandenburg), Brussels, Cairo, Dalaman, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Istanbul - SAW (Sabih Gokcen Airport), Larnaca, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan (Malpensa), Palma de Mallorca, Paphos and Paris
so these places are longer than LGW and LHR, both 45 minutes, and LHR is 35 minutes for then getting to security. Longhaul is 1 hour throughout, LCY is the other exception in the other direction, 20 minutes for baggage drop.
BRU sometimes is a bit sticky at passport and security screen points, its presence overall isn't as justifiable as some of the other locations, BER and CAI spring to mind where you really need the full hour, sometimes BCN. But I can well see why the agents gave you a bit of grace, it can be over-ridden despite what they may say. And BRU is pretty efficient overall. Check-in (so this is different to baggage drop) is a pretty hard 1 hour requirement, hence OLCI is a good idea just in case something happens. If all else fails you may be able to dump any large liquid items and take checked bags to the gate for re-checking there.
Dec 21, 2023, 9:28 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
And at outstations they will close check in on schedule unless it's been signalled with prior notice that check in times have changed.
They're not doing this to be awkward but at outstations the staff who do check in are contractors who will be there for 3 or 4 hours and then typically (a) go airside and deal with the gate, or (b) go off for a break or complete their shift, or (c) check in for another flight/airline. In many airports the check in counter will likely be reassigned to check in for another flight/airline. There's just not the luxury to keep in open longer than it needs to be.
They're not doing this to be awkward but at outstations the staff who do check in are contractors who will be there for 3 or 4 hours and then typically (a) go airside and deal with the gate, or (b) go off for a break or complete their shift, or (c) check in for another flight/airline. In many airports the check in counter will likely be reassigned to check in for another flight/airline. There's just not the luxury to keep in open longer than it needs to be.
Dec 21, 2023, 9:37 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brussels and London
Programs: BA Exec Club (silver) and Miles and More
Posts: 11
Thanks for the swift and insightful replies! I normally fly with hand baggage only and in plenty of time but of course this would be the one time that I was late and had a huge suitcase! And on a day with disruption too (Eurotunnel strike) so I was worried that I wouldn’t make it at all if I missed this flight. I was getting ready to sprint back to the car park and leave my suitcase in my car and fly with hand baggage but luckily they took pity on me. (My train was cancelled so I drove, hence being late).
Anyway, all’s well that ends well (so long as I see that case on the belt at T5 ;-) )
Anyway, all’s well that ends well (so long as I see that case on the belt at T5 ;-) )
Dec 21, 2023, 1:25 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,593
Turning up once, with a bag to drop, at 40 minutes before a flight from BSL / Basel, I was lucky. I was told the reason for them usually closing at T-45 isn't because they think it'll take people that long to get to the gate, but because *they* have to close-up and then go and staff the gate.
Dec 21, 2023, 6:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Silver, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 486
I've missed bag drop at AMS a handful of times and my bags have been accepted, following a phone call. The agent didn't seem to have to beg whoever they were calling, but it sounded more of a 'just checking it's okay'. Back in COVID days and pre-veriFLY, OLCI was not an option and I saw many people get rejected at checked for missing the T-60 cut off for the document checks.
Dec 28, 2023, 7:56 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bucks UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 88
Travelling in Februari from BRU and normally check in only opens 2 hours before departure.
There are 2 flights that day, 14:50 and 17:40.
If I'm on the 17:40 flight can I then already check in my luggage, let me say 13:30 - 13:50 (before the t-60 for the 14:50 flight) ?
Is that possible ?
There are 2 flights that day, 14:50 and 17:40.
If I'm on the 17:40 flight can I then already check in my luggage, let me say 13:30 - 13:50 (before the t-60 for the 14:50 flight) ?
Is that possible ?
Dec 28, 2023, 9:20 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,640
Travelling in Februari from BRU and normally check in only opens 2 hours before departure.
There are 2 flights that day, 14:50 and 17:40.
If I'm on the 17:40 flight can I then already check in my luggage, let me say 13:30 - 13:50 (before the t-60 for the 14:50 flight) ?
Is that possible ?
There are 2 flights that day, 14:50 and 17:40.
If I'm on the 17:40 flight can I then already check in my luggage, let me say 13:30 - 13:50 (before the t-60 for the 14:50 flight) ?
Is that possible ?
Dec 28, 2023, 12:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: ANR, BELGIUM
Programs: DIAMANTAIRE EXTRAORDINAIRE
Posts: 453
Travelling in Februari from BRU and normally check in only opens 2 hours before departure.
There are 2 flights that day, 14:50 and 17:40.
If I'm on the 17:40 flight can I then already check in my luggage, let me say 13:30 - 13:50 (before the t-60 for the 14:50 flight) ?
Is that possible ?
There are 2 flights that day, 14:50 and 17:40.
If I'm on the 17:40 flight can I then already check in my luggage, let me say 13:30 - 13:50 (before the t-60 for the 14:50 flight) ?
Is that possible ?
The check-in at Bru opens t120 -t150.
Dec 28, 2023, 12:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
You might get a compassionate agent or their supervisor but you should not expect it.
Dec 28, 2023, 2:03 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
It was a few years ago now and pretty sure it was post Fly implementation, but I was given the explanation above as a half-hearted explanation why they really didn't want to take my bags early at Frankfurt with typical German formality, but they did in fact relent and do it.