I am flying from Germany to Dublin, and from Cork to London with Aer Lingus, and was just reading about check in. I have only flown a few times so I am unfamiliar with web check in. The regular check in recommendation is 2.5 hours before departure. The website says we can check in 30 hours before our flight, and need to have a printer. So does this mean if we check in online and print our boarding pass, we can just show up at the airport with our carry on baggage (we have no checked luggage) and our print out, and board?
Thanks :)
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi Katie. Yup, you can print your boarding pass at home, or just wait and do it quickly at a self service machine when you get to the airport. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
Trossingen
57 posts
Great! So how early should we show up then if we've printed out our stuff at home?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
You still need to get there early enough to get through security and be at the gate before boarding time. The website should give you an idea of how soon you must be at the gate to be able to board.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12314 posts
IMO, checking in online and heading straight to the gate with my carry-on only is THE way to travel. How early to arrive depends a lot on the airport. How far is it from parking to your gate, and how long do you need to plan to get through security? I still arrive early, usually more than an hour at the gate before boarding time, because the potential cost of missing the flight is more than the value of a longer breakfast or sleeping in a little. Another good (unrelated) technique is to know the airline's reservations number. If a plane cancels, call the number rather than stand in line. Anything they can do at the counter, they'll be able to do over the phone - it's the equivalent of going to the front of the line. Since available seats on the next flight are limited, you're more likely to reach your destination quicker.