tomparskate

A pet hate of mine is turning up at the gate early when I could have been in. the lounge enjoying comfy chairs and good quality drinks

How long before departure do you leave between the lounge? I'm normally 45 minutes.

KARFA

Depends on what type of flight (shorthaul/ domestic vs longhaul) and how far you need to go (T5a, b, c)

hcuk94

Well I always have the 'gate closes' time in mind, generally if I know the airport I just aim to be at the gate 5 mins before the gate closes.
T5 has the bonus of mobile push notifications when boarding commences (which is when I leave the lounge unless it's a B or C gate) and some out stations do boarding calls in the BA lounge (GLA being my regular).
LCY I tend to be moving towards the gate just as it ticks over to 'final call'...
If I don't know the airport I'll ask advice at the lounge and just play it by ear. I'm not fussed about making priority boarding in general though.

That said I'm mainly talking shorthaul there. When in CW I like to get myself settled down and unpack various gadgets and fiddle around etc so I always board ASAP.

FeedbirdNiner

I'd be interested to read your breakdowns for the variations.

Only1BD

By the time the 'Gate closes' time is shown on my boarding card, unless I know there is a delay.

Always allow a wee bit extra for the joyous bus gates though!

KARFA

Well for shorthaul/domestic boarding at t5a boarding starts at -30 so as I tend to like to board early I would leave the lounge at around 40 mins for a gate at the north end and 35 mins for a gate at the south end. If you were happy to board late then you can leave later.

For shorthaul at b or c I would tend to leave around 45 mins or 55-50 mins for longhaul. Again if you are not bothered about boarding early you can go later.

CD747

I took these timings a while back, based on walking at a 'normal' pace, starting timer from getting on the down the escalator from South Lounges:

a23 -- 3 mins
a15+ -- 2 mins
a13+ -- 3 mins
a08+ -- 5 mins
A10 Gates - 7 mins sharp / bus gate
a05+ -- 7 mins
A4 Gate - 8 mins sharp / bus gate
a01+ -- 8 mins
A07 - better to cut through A8 seating

ams2174

I prefer to board early and get settled as earlier posters have stated, but it depends on local knowledge and previous experiences depending on the carrier and airport.
I would normally aim to get to the gate between 5 and 10 mins after boarding has started to avoid queues in priority boarding lane (not that that always works) and try not to arrive later than 10 to 15 mins before gate closes.
Everyone is different though and I do tend to factor in walking time and distance from lounge.

Previous experience with emirates in Bangkok for example has resulted in me sitting in a crowded gate area for 20 mins plus so I tend to leave 10 mins after they announce flight ready to board, much nicer to board when direct from the lounge

Calum

If I'm on short haul with no hand luggage just wallet, phone and passport then I don't get out of my seat in the lounge until I see 'gate closing'

bd95

Special mention here for BHD. No need to leave the lounge as direct boarding from lounge to plane with a priority call in the lounge before any calls go out in the main departure area allowing Golds and Silvers to board unimpeded. And if no bags for the lockers you can wait in splendid comfort until the very last minute as the glass jetty is in full view of the lounge!

halftheworldaway

From the GC north I tend to wait until 'boarding' on domestics but more a lot more cautious with long haul from B, C.

Got to watch out for bus gates though - that's the only time I've seen them stick rigidly to 20min closing time.

chris1979

that feels a bit like a contraction? hating being early but leaving 45 mins before departure?

I am risk averse so tend to get to the airport early ish (within reason) and guess I am a bit 'blaze' about lounges. so ex LHR, I aim to be at the gate at T-32 ish (for A gates) given I know they'll try to start boarding not long after that and I'd rather be on early, have my bags stored etc and not fight a scrum during general boarding even at the 'cost' of standing for a few mins rather than sitting in the lounge.

as young KARFA says, B and C gates are different. as is l/h - I'll probably aim to be at the gate at T-45 ish for l/h.

all this of course assumes that one doesn't get escorted to and onto the plane by SS

KARFA

Why do you need an escort? Do you get lost otherwise?

Flyingturkey

Question is, How long before flight departure time does the aircraft leave the gate

KARFA

They rarely leave before