How early to check in at Luton?
Jan 15, 2020, 7:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,069
How early to check in at Luton?
I'll be flying Easyjet LTN-TLV on a weekday morning in March with a checked bag and have paid for extra legroom, which lets me use the fast bag drop. I read on here that there's a good chance it will also get me fast track security, and if it doesn't, I'm happy to spring for it. I'll be staying at the HI Express that's walking distance from the terminal so don't need to budget extra time for road traffic (eyeballing it on the map, I believe I can do it in 10-15 minutes with my rolling suitcase).
I expect to be somewhat jetlagged after arriving from the US the evening before so would rather not force myself up earlier than necessary. If my flight leaves at 11:45, would getting to the the airport at around 10 or 10:15 leave me enough time to drop of the bag at least 40 mins pre-departure and get to the gate at least 30 minutes before departure?
I expect to be somewhat jetlagged after arriving from the US the evening before so would rather not force myself up earlier than necessary. If my flight leaves at 11:45, would getting to the the airport at around 10 or 10:15 leave me enough time to drop of the bag at least 40 mins pre-departure and get to the gate at least 30 minutes before departure?
Jan 15, 2020, 9:01 am
#2
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Yeah, that should be fine. It's not the busiest time of day at LTN, and, for all the airport's faults, they're pretty fast at security. Yes, you can do the HIX in that time - just head out and along the road under the taxiway, then up the side of the bus station on the easyJet Hangar side.
Do be aware that they do a "starting blocks" style of departure at LTN - they keep you in the departure lounge as long as possible, to the point that you tend to get a crowd forming under the monitors, waiting for the gate number (there's usually 4 or 5 put up at the same time). There is then a walking race to the gate - some can be a fair distance away. At the gate, people wait, indulging in one of the preferred British pastimes - queueing. There's little there apart from Tensabarriers, in most cases. Many flights have a very quick turnaround, so you may find yourself rushing to the gate, to join a boarding queue for a flight that's not yet landed. At least you're not on Ryanair, who will quite happily make you wait outside in the rain in a similar situation. So there's no need to get there too early.
Do be aware that they do a "starting blocks" style of departure at LTN - they keep you in the departure lounge as long as possible, to the point that you tend to get a crowd forming under the monitors, waiting for the gate number (there's usually 4 or 5 put up at the same time). There is then a walking race to the gate - some can be a fair distance away. At the gate, people wait, indulging in one of the preferred British pastimes - queueing. There's little there apart from Tensabarriers, in most cases. Many flights have a very quick turnaround, so you may find yourself rushing to the gate, to join a boarding queue for a flight that's not yet landed. At least you're not on Ryanair, who will quite happily make you wait outside in the rain in a similar situation. So there's no need to get there too early.
Jan 15, 2020, 9:07 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,069
Do be aware that they do a "starting blocks" style of departure at LTN - they keep you in the departure lounge as long as possible, to the point that you tend to get a crowd forming under the monitors, waiting for the gate number (there's usually 4 or 5 put up at the same time). There is then a walking race to the gate - some can be a fair distance away. At the gate, people wait, indulging in one of the preferred British pastimes - queueing. There's little there apart from Tensabarriers, in most cases. Many flights have a very quick turnaround, so you may find yourself rushing to the gate, to join a boarding queue for a flight that's not yet landed. At least you're not on Ryanair, who will quite happily make you wait outside in the rain in a similar situation. So there's no need to get there too early.
Jan 15, 2020, 9:28 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC; LH M&M; HH Diamond
Posts: 814
On the monitors there will be a remark against your flight saying "gate will be announced at xx.xx"
Jan 15, 2020, 11:20 am
#5
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Yup, 45 minutes is pretty common. It can be less.
They like you to get there early and queue to help with fast turnaround (which can be as little as 20 minutes). You'll have your passport and BP checked will in the queue, and will generally board a couple of minutes after the inbound passengers get off. They may get you to wait on the stairs or occasionally outside while they do the bits of cleaning they couldn't do on descent.
They like you to get there early and queue to help with fast turnaround (which can be as little as 20 minutes). You'll have your passport and BP checked will in the queue, and will generally board a couple of minutes after the inbound passengers get off. They may get you to wait on the stairs or occasionally outside while they do the bits of cleaning they couldn't do on descent.