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Original poster

How are the airports right now? Still ginormous queues? 😬

26 replies

FizzClink · 25/05/2022 13:19

Hi,

Just that really. Flying from Stansted at the weekend and was thinking of getting there a 5 hours earlier, rather than the usually recommended 3, due to the horror stories a few weeks ago about people missing their flights.

DP thinks that this is ridiculous and it's settled down now, but I guess it's the school holidays coming up, so could all change! Not worth the risk is it? Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather have those extra hours in bed.

WWYD?

OP posts:
maxelly · 25/05/2022 13:26

Went through Heathrow a few weeks ago and was fine, long-ish queue at check in/bag drop but that was down to lack of staff more than anything else and there was a manager on hand moving anyone remotely at risk of missing their flight up to the front, in fact we felt quite guilty because we were ushered to the front despite having 2 hours left until our departure time! That was BA though, maybe a budget airline might not be so on the ball? Security etc totally fine, whizzed through in no time.

To me 5 hours seems excessive but if you'll be stressed otherwise then of course worth it!

Original poster
FizzClink · 25/05/2022 13:42

@maxelly thanks for that. I just haven't heard anything in the news about it recently, so feel a bit nervous, although no news could be good news I suppose 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
CounsellorTroi · 25/05/2022 14:02

Went through Heathrow couple of weeks ago, back Monday no real problems.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Flying Holidays
astoundedgoat · 25/05/2022 14:05

We went through Heathrow on Friday and it was grand. Lots of people, but everything was moving fast. Doesn’t answer your question though! 5 hours does seem excessive.

Rosehugger · 25/05/2022 14:05

Flew from Gatwick a couple of weeks ago, early on a Friday morning and there were big queues but it actually took about 40 minutes from arrival to get through the Easyjet bag drop and then through security. I didn't think this was too bad.

Rosehugger · 25/05/2022 14:07

Sorry I meant 40 minutes for bag drop and security if that wasn't clear.

LaCerbiatta · 25/05/2022 14:08

Went through Stansted during Easter holidays and again 2 weeks ago (on a Thursday evening) and there were no queues at all, very quiet. My mum went through Stansted as well on a Monday morning and again, fairly quiet, 2h was plenty of time. Didn't need to check in though.

Kingstonmumof1 · 25/05/2022 14:09

I doubt they would allow you in the airport more than 3 hours before your flight, to prevent overcrowding. At Easter we were stopped at the entrance at Heathrow and they asked us our flight time before letting us un.

lanbro · 25/05/2022 14:22

Flown out of Newcastle today, much busier than February but still through in plenty of time- we give ourselves 2 hours. Malaga, long queues but moved quickly, longest wait was for the transfer!

Original poster
FizzClink · 25/05/2022 14:35

Hmm ok, so maybe I am being over cautious then 😬

OP posts:
DogDaysNeverEnd · 25/05/2022 15:03

Flew out of Newcastle on Sunday, there were 3 people ahead of me at security #thestuggleisreal

But really, could you get fast track? Peace of mind and tbh if you were going to spend 5 hours at the airport you would probably spend the same in drinks etc.

ApolloandDaphne · 25/05/2022 15:12

My DD flew from Leeds Bradford on Monday. She allowed 4 hours but had dropped bags and was through security in less than an hour. 5 hours is much too long.

Blossomtoes · 25/05/2022 15:21

FizzClink · 25/05/2022 13:19

Hi,

Just that really. Flying from Stansted at the weekend and was thinking of getting there a 5 hours earlier, rather than the usually recommended 3, due to the horror stories a few weeks ago about people missing their flights.

DP thinks that this is ridiculous and it's settled down now, but I guess it's the school holidays coming up, so could all change! Not worth the risk is it? Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather have those extra hours in bed.

WWYD?

We flew from Stansted a couple of weeks ago. We got there two hours before the flight to find a queue for check in like an execution. It was dealt with so efficiently we were only in it for about ten minutes. The queue for security took about the same time. Stansted really seems to have got its act together. Five hours is ridiculous, your DP is absolutely right.

Whoatealltheminieggs · 25/05/2022 15:24

sorry to jump on. Anyone flown from
manchester?

MadisonAvenue · 25/05/2022 15:32

My son flew from Gatwick yesterday, he didn’t have to check anything in so I can’t comment on that but it took him 5 minutes to get through security at around 9.30am.

Jobseeker19 · 02/06/2022 18:04

Is anyone flying today or has flown this week?

ApolloandDaphne · 02/06/2022 18:06

My DD flew out of Heathrow T5 today and she said it was absolutely fine.

Knittingnanny2 · 02/06/2022 18:19

Yes Heathrow Terminal 5 was fine on Friday ( so start of half term) and yesterday when I flew home. I had hand luggage only and could have arrived an hour and a half before and got through easily. I never would do less than 3 hours though as I’m paranoid something would go wrong and I’d miss my flight!
JFK though....... almost 2 hours to get through immigration this time.
5 hours is not needed in my opinion

BackToTheTop · 02/06/2022 18:24

I'm sat in Manchester airport as we speak, half an hour to check in, less than half an hour through security and 10 mins to get a g'n't so I'd say not too bad.

MiniCooperLover · 02/06/2022 18:43

Standard was hideous y'day precisely because of people arriving much earlier than usual. Got through check in and security no issue and I felt quite confident ... turned a corner from all the duty free and it was HEAVING! Didn't help they were removing most of the food areas too 🙈

TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/06/2022 18:46

We went through Stansted last Friday night and there were no queues at all - very busy past security as everyone had arrived hours early.

Dublin had long queues coming back but there are ongoing problems there.

TheOpenRoad · 02/06/2022 19:27

Flew out of Heathrow on Friday and security queue was hundreds and hundreds of people. Restaurants were packed with long queues. Definitely plan for extra time

Oblomov22 · 02/06/2022 19:38

5 hours seems excessive. Suggestion is to move it from 2 to 3. Heathrow, we were backdrop quickly, through security, and had so much time the other side we don't know what to do with ourselves.

geojellyfish · 02/06/2022 19:39

Flew from Gatwick the other day. The big queues were for bag drop rather than security, but only some airlines and exacerbated by people arriving much earlier than they needed. EasyJet was fine, Tui was busier and a Turkish airline was very slow.

Security was quick, but airside was very busy - restaurants were advising they had 90 minute waits for tables. Long queues for Starbucks, Pret etc. too.

If you intend to eat a meal at airport, try to do so before security.

DazzlePaintedBattlePants · 02/06/2022 19:40

Flew in and out of Stansted this week with no drama at all. Busy but efficient, no real queues.

if you’re worrried you can always book fast track passes for security.