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How early to get to Edinburgh airport for 6:30 a.m. flight

Yes, we have a 6:30 morning flight from Edinburgh to Heathrow, then on to Chicago and then after 6 hour layover finally back to KC. So it will be a very long day and wondering how early we really need to arrive at airport to check-in. Will probably take a taxi to airport so will be most time efficient way to get to there. Is the British Airway desk open 24 hours, or is there an opening time?
Thank you for any information you can share.

Posted by
3943 posts

Mine was a 6:50 flight EDI-LHR in August and I also took a taxi. Left my B&B at 4:30, arrived at the airport at 4:50, then less than a 5 min walk to the counter. The counter was open and there was already a short line. It took a while though, since there was only one agent working regular checkin and 2-3 for Priority. If you are priority (I was not), it shouldn’t take long. The EDI Airport has a FB page, where they report security wait times in their story, often around 20 min. I had plenty of time but would not want to arrive any less than 2 hours ahead of my flight.

Posted by
2636 posts

as a regular user of Edinburgh airport and often there for early flights, if you are travelling hand luggage only give 90 minutes should be fine but if checking in bags then 2 hours is better I find most counters open up 2 hours or more before the flight but often with companies like BA they will have a rolling check in queue that allows you to check in for any flight withing a reasonable amount of time before hand.Not sure on BA but many of the airlines at Edinburgh use serf service checkin counters (there will be help available if needed) and then you just place your bag on the baggage belt,all very obvious.Security can vary as well but at that time of the morning i have found it either very quiet of very manic, sometimes 5 minutes ,sometimes 20 minutes to get through, last week was a 20 minute job.

Posted by
45 posts

Thank you for your responses, all very helpful. We will have a bag to check so will aim for 2 hours ahead

It just dawned on me that we will be hungry too, anything open at that time at least for coffee?

Thanks again for your help.