Check in cutoff at LAX
 

Flying LAX-SYD soon and can't find the minimum check-in time posted anywhere. I'm in J and will be checking luggage. VA's website says you "should" check in 90 minutes before departure, but that sounds like more of a suggestion than a rule.

Anybody have something more definitive? Is it 45 minutes? 60 minutes?

http://www.virginaustralia.com/us/en...onal-check-in/

Recommended Check-in Times

You should be checked in for your international flight at least 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.

If you are travelling in a large group or require additional assistance we recommend that you are checked in 2 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.

When planning your arrival at the airport please ensure you allow enough time to check in.

It's 90 minutes - this from an e-ticket receipt.

"should" check in at least 90 minutes before does not imply that baggage acceptance will cease at 90 minutes before departure

Not arriving in accordance with published times could impact eligibility to denied boarding compensation on an oversold flight, but the email statement isn't indicating the latest time to check in

@Dave Noble is on the right track. Should is not the same as shall or must. I'll probably shoot to be there around 90 minutes anyway, but would hate to get there at 85 minutes and be told tough luck. I'm just used to American airlines publishing clear rules that say a recommended time and an absolute minimum time. I can't find anything definitive.

Also @Serfty, I bought my ticket through Delta so I have no such language in my confirmation email. There is a link to Delta's policies (60 min cutoff for international) but that obviously doesn't apply.

One of thos situations where, if you just "shoot" for T-90 and arrive at T-85 and are denied, you will kick yourself, especially if you can't be rebooked for 2 days or have to buy a new ticket, or both.

As you clearly have the capacity to check-in by T-90, why not just do it?

I believe it is given this footnote indicated by the the *: MUST is pretty conclusive.

To the OP, I would be looking to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight - takes the stress away and you can relax in the new *A TBIT lounge while waiting for your flight.

no it doesn't. All it says that by not doing so , [i[you may[/i] miss your flight

The OP seems pretty clear in wanting to know what the actual cutoff time is rather than what the airline is recommending

To me the word must is pretty clear.

The direct result of which is that there is no obligation for the airline to allow check in (with or without checked luggage) less than 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

It is a risk I would avoid taking and as such I consider that to be the cutoff time - that's the advice I give to the OP.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll check in by 90 min and won't chance it.

I still find it odd that there doesn't seem to be any published "must" or "shall" language on the VA website. The example given above where it says "must" comes from a VA eticket receipt. As far as I can tell my DL eticket has no information and the VA website only contains "should" and "recommended" language.

VA at both LAX and SYD cut off all checkins at 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Sorry, I don't know if there is a longer cutoff for those checking bags.

So you are going to fly in a tube for 14 hours or so, from one continent to another, on a flight that goes once a day.

AND you are trying to cut it fine for check in (or that might just be my perception)

I agree that the website should publish a cut off time,

However you should allow time for delays in traffic, delays in finding the VA desks in a huge terminal, delays once you get checked in, with security and maybe a long walk to the gate, and you will want a moment to go to the bathroom, get a coffee or a snack, make a few last minute phone calls or send some emails, or just take a selfie for FB

Now if you check on just on the cut off, you may make the flight by running, you may be the last to run onto the aircraft BUT will your bags get the same treatement.

Get to SYD and stand and wait at the luggage belt. Wait some more, watch everyone else get their bags - the belt stops you bags still not there - guess what they are still at LAX - go fill out a luggage report etc.

So much easier to get to the airport at T120 and chill