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Original poster

Flying london to Scotland

27 replies

olivethegreat · 14/07/2021 17:47

I just need a driving licence right ? I'm out of touch having not gone anywhere for ages! My passport is in my old surname so no good .

I don't need to do tests or anything do I ?

Also- just have a carry on - how long realistically should I arrive at the airport (have parking booked).

Are the restaurants open , pret etc?

Tia to anyone who knows !

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 14/07/2021 17:50

Yes to photo ID, no to tests (though you could do an LFT to be a good citizen)
I would arrive an hour and a half before the flight BUT I would first check what the airline actually say in their info and make sure you cannot miss boarding. Going through security is usually the big delay.
If you say which airport it is you might get specific advice on what's open (or is London an airport?)

emmathedilemma · 14/07/2021 17:51

Photo card driving licence is fine as you ID.
No tests needed but you’ll still need a mask as we’re not dropping that legislation on Monday.
Restaurants etc should be on the airport websites.
Time for arrival depends which airport. I’d go 60-90 min with hand luggage at Edinburgh but London airports are bigger, Stansted security seems to always be bad and T5 at LHR bump you off the flight if you’re not through security by a certain time….

Original poster
olivethegreat · 14/07/2021 17:54

Brill thanks ! It's Gatwick. We will do Lf the day before and would def wear masks regardless of the rules.

I'm planning to arrive at parking 2 hours before, could take half an hour (max) with faffery to get to departures so that sounds about right .

I've checked the airline details but I HATE flying so the anxiety is building so just needed the reassurance ta v much!!

Are airports super quiet now ?

OP posts:
Bluedeblue · 14/07/2021 17:54

I'm in Scotland. All restaurants are open, but make sure you book, as this is still a requirement and it's very busy in lots of places. I had to try 13 restaurants the other week, before I finally found availability for a table for 3 people in Edinburgh!

I think you can use out of date passports for ID, but I would double check with airline. You need to check in 40 mins before, but there's no way I'd cut it that fine. Like PP, I would check in 1.5 hours before.

Original poster
olivethegreat · 14/07/2021 17:55

@Bluedeblue that's really helpful thanks I was going to book restaurants but might get onto it earlier than planned

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 14/07/2021 17:56

It's not always a requirement to book, not for lunch anyway (having had lunch in Edinburgh centre at the weekend)

Original poster
olivethegreat · 14/07/2021 17:59

No I was just going to book dinners as lunch is a bit more fluid time wise and we can always get a takeaway if necessary , surely in cafes you can 'book' as you go in? Or not ?

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 14/07/2021 18:01

Yes. Obviously depends where you are, if there's only one cafe then it might be too busy.

IseeScottishhills · 14/07/2021 18:55

I used to do it a lot you don’t even need photo ID you go through on your boarding pass.

emmathedilemma · 14/07/2021 21:49

Take photo ID as they tend to check it when you board. BA used to only require it if you had hold bags checked in but from memory Easyjet check everyone’s.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 14/07/2021 23:09

I flew ilup via Gatwick. Was v quiet.

A couple of eating places open, was v eady to get a table.

If Easyjet bag drop was very quick, as was security. 2 hours should be ample time.

sweetkitty · 14/07/2021 23:58

I was just going to say have you thought about the train? But I see you’ve already booked it. We say next to a station on the mainline, it’s 41/2 hours into Euston, no parking, no Stanstead Express etc which costs £££s, no airport security, you get on the train, plug yourself in and get off at the other end. If you book in advance with a discount card it’s ok price wise. I wouldn’t fly now.

Palavah · 15/07/2021 01:40

Who are you flying with? BA are ok with driving licence but Easyjet and Ryanair want a passport. What will you do if your return flight gets cancelled?

(trains don't require either)

newnortherner111 · 15/07/2021 06:40

Gatwick has a lot less flights than Heathrow, you made the best choice other than the train.

ApolloandDaphne · 15/07/2021 08:41

Since when did Easy Jet and Ryanair require a passport to fly England to Scotland? I've flown with both of them a fair bit and my driving licence was always acceptable.

Wakeupin2022 · 15/07/2021 08:51

BA are ok with driving licence but Easyjet and Ryanair want a passport.

Never flown with Ryanair so can't comment but Easyjet do not require a passport, only photographic ID

It's an internal flight so no passport required.

GintyMcGinty · 15/07/2021 09:04

I flew between Edinburgh and London 2 weeks ago.

I used my driving licence for ID
No tests needed.
I got to the airport 1 hour before the flight
Most restaurants are shut but could get coffee and sandwiches from Boots

Palavah · 15/07/2021 09:55

@ApolloandDaphne

Since when did Easy Jet and Ryanair require a passport to fly England to Scotland? I've flown with both of them a fair bit and my driving licence was always acceptable.
They've changed, then, since 2019.
Iggi999 · 15/07/2021 09:57

I've flown to Belfast with a driving licence and it wasn't recently - needs to be the photographic kind of course, I know some of them didn't use to be.

Wakeupin2022 · 15/07/2021 10:02

They've changed, then, since 2019.

Pavalah you are wrong and what you are saying is misinformation.

A passport is not required for domestic travel. You do however require suitable photo identification and can us a passport for this.

I never use my passport when I travel domestically.

ApolloandDaphne · 15/07/2021 10:36

@Palavah I have not flown since the end of 2019 due to the pandemic. All my domestic flights with all airlines have always only needed drivers licence or equivalent. You are peddling misinformation.

GintyMcGinty · 15/07/2021 12:20

@Palavah

No idea where you are getting your info from.

I got mine from Easyjet's website:

Identification needed for domestic flights

Photographic ID is required on all domestic flights.
Children under the age of 16 do not need to show ID on domestic flights. The adult they are travelling with can vouch for the infant's/child's identity.

Here's a few examples of photographic ID that is accepted:

A valid passport - an expired passport can be used up to a maximum of five years after expiry
Valid photographic EU or Swiss national identity card
Valid photographic driving licence, provisional or full
Valid armed forces identity card
Valid police warrant card/badge

See for yourself.

www.easyjet.com/en/help/boarding-and-flying/travel-documents-and-information

Original poster
olivethegreat · 15/07/2021 13:31

I'm flying from Gatwick as we live v close to it so it's much quicker and easier than going into London and getting a train -
Good to hear is quiet but that will be odd.

No idea what I do if the return is cancelled - get on a train I guess !

OP posts:
Palavah · 15/07/2021 13:38

@Wakeupin2022

They've changed, then, since 2019.

Pavalah you are wrong and what you are saying is misinformation.

A passport is not required for domestic travel. You do however require suitable photo identification and can us a passport for this.

I never use my passport when I travel domestically.

As I said, it must have changed since 2019. You have more up to date info, happy to stand corrected.
Palavah · 15/07/2021 13:38

[quote ApolloandDaphne]@Palavah I have not flown since the end of 2019 due to the pandemic. All my domestic flights with all airlines have always only needed drivers licence or equivalent. You are peddling misinformation. [/quote]
So melodramatic!