How early to check in at AUA

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Mar 7, 2010, 4:59 pm

uva185

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I will be flying AUA-CLT on Tuesday at 3:25pm. How early do you think I really need to check in?

There is US Immigration & Customs pre-clearance in AUA. Is there an First check-in line and/or First security line?

I presume a Tuesday in AUA won't be too bust but I also don't want to miss my flight.

Thanks!!

Last edited by uva185; Mar 7, 2010 at 5:01 pm

Mar 7, 2010, 9:28 pm

Mudfish

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I can't say what a Tuesday looks like in AUA, but I can tell you that there is a first class / preferred check in line. I have always flown out of there on a Saturday and I can tell you that the preferred line was a huge advantage.

Once you get past check in there was no preferred lines that I have ever seen. Very long lines all the way through, but they did move pretty well. Again, I was only there on Saturdays so your experience may vary.

Mar 8, 2010, 9:12 am

jghassell

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Agreed. Been there three times now, and each time the preferred line gets you in front of everyone else at check-in, but after that you are in with the rest of the crowd. It can easily take an hour, and sometimes more, to get through customs and security post-checkin.

Mar 8, 2010, 10:00 am

PHL

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On a similar topic, I'll be going to AUA in April(flying F). Is there a lounge at AUA premium passengers can use?

Mar 8, 2010, 3:16 pm

kinglobjaw

Join Date: Aug 2005

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No lounge.

Uva185, unless you have stuff you want to purchase at the airport, I'd arrive 2 hours prior to. The US flight to CLT is one of the last flights back to the States, so the pre-clearance will have no lines and no waiting.

-Kinglobjaw

Mar 8, 2010, 4:27 pm

uva185

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kinglobjaw

Think 90 minutes would be enough? I'm trying to soak up as much sun as possible.

On a side note I don't think missing my flight would be all that terrible.

Mar 9, 2010, 7:37 am

AlxStevens

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Quote:

Originally Posted by uva185

Think 90 minutes would be enough? I'm trying to soak up as much sun as possible.

On a side note I don't think missing my flight would be all that terrible.

On a Tuesday, and with FC line, 90 minutes MIGHT be enough. That's assuming no issues. Traveling on Fridays with FC line access, I've made it all the way through in as little as 40 minutes but also had it take 90 minutes.

Also bear in mind that they board flights earlier from AUA than is typical in the states - often 45-60 minutes before the posted departure time.

I think (and I am generally pretty happy to cut things close) that 2 hours is prudent, but YMMV.

Mar 9, 2010, 8:36 am

coachrowsey

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I'm inclined to go with 2 hours, but that's just me.

Mar 9, 2010, 11:39 am

uva185

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Thanks everyone for your input. I ended up getting there 90 minutes in advance and cleared everything in 30 minutes ^

Sitting at the bar enjoying one last Balashi before departure