How early should I arrive in LHR for an international flight?
Aug 30, 23, 6:55 pm
#1
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How early should I arrive in LHR for an international flight?
So I have an upcoming flight out of LHR and I have a tight schedule. It will be at 7pm on a Tuesday. If I arrive around 5pm, would it be enough time to sort check in/baggage/security? If not, how early should I arrive at the airport?
Aug 30, 23, 7:42 pm
#2
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I've never had a problem leaving less than 2 hours, but I guess it depends which terminal, which airline and what time of year. I tend fo use T2, T3 and T5 and, apart from some horrendous queues for Air India, I've never encountered anything particularly untoward, even on busier days.
Aug 30, 23, 7:44 pm
#3
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Thanks for the reply. I'll be flying with ANA to Tokyo so looks like terminal 2B. For the departure process in LHR, is it just check in at the counter, security, then gate, or is there another checkpoint where the officer is checking our passport/documents?
Aug 31, 23, 12:53 am
#4
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The UK doesn't have departing passport checks - that's all done electronically by airlines transmitting API data.
Two hours should be ample at T2, although you're probably unlikely to have time for a meal with a T2B departure. You'd need to allow up to 15 minutes to get between the main terminal where check-in and security are to T2B. Use the lifts either end instead of the escalators - it's much quicker, although the obvious route uses the latter.
Two hours should be ample at T2, although you're probably unlikely to have time for a meal with a T2B departure. You'd need to allow up to 15 minutes to get between the main terminal where check-in and security are to T2B. Use the lifts either end instead of the escalators - it's much quicker, although the obvious route uses the latter.
Aug 31, 23, 11:24 am
#5
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The UK doesn't have departing passport checks - that's all done electronically by airlines transmitting API data.
Two hours should be ample at T2, although you're probably unlikely to have time for a meal with a T2B departure. You'd need to allow up to 15 minutes to get between the main terminal where check-in and security are to T2B. Use the lifts either end instead of the escalators - it's much quicker, although the obvious route uses the latter.
Two hours should be ample at T2, although you're probably unlikely to have time for a meal with a T2B departure. You'd need to allow up to 15 minutes to get between the main terminal where check-in and security are to T2B. Use the lifts either end instead of the escalators - it's much quicker, although the obvious route uses the latter.
Aug 31, 23, 11:38 am
#6
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Would agree with the other posters than arriving 2 hours before is plenty of time.
Aug 31, 23, 11:43 am
#7
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That's definitely good to hear! Just to confirm, when you said fast track for Star Gold, do you mean the check in process or the security checkpoint (or both)?
Aug 31, 23, 2:20 pm
#8
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As you have lounge access, T2B has UA (good for drinks) and SQ (good for food) within a minute of each other. AC is the poor relation in the satellite terminal.
Aug 31, 23, 2:20 pm
#9
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That is the security baggage scan. Even the normal security lines do not take much time. Arriving 2 hours ahead of time I would still have time for a meal. Maybe not 3 courses.
Aug 31, 23, 6:44 pm
#10
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I usually arrive 1hr45 before, check my bag (with UA but ANA would be similar), go through security, get to the B terminal and have plenty of time for a self service meal and drink (or two) before the flight.
Sep 2, 23, 5:04 am
#11
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I am frequently through T2 and have never been more than about 10 minutes in the security Qs, usually less.
Sep 4, 23, 3:41 am
#13
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When the queue at fast track builds up, they tend to open up the wall and send half of the passengers to the new generation scanners at the right hand side of standard.
