Heathrow check-in times

[MariWhee]

Anyone flown short haul from Heathrow lately? (This year?)

I have a v early flight and they're saying they want me to check in at 3.30am - three hours before the flight leaves. The airline and airport agree, but my travelling companion does not and wants to get there later.

How long do I need to get through bag drop/security etc?
Thanks

I flew from T5 in early February. I only had cabin baggage, didn’t check anything in but it was all very straightforward. No big queues.

It depends what airline/terminal you're using, when you're flying particularly what day of the week, proximity to school holidays etc as well as what cabin you're flying in/what status (if any) you have. Weekends are notoriously bad at the moment.

A friend flew out of T5 recently and spent 45 mins queuing for fast track security (she was flying business) whereas I flew the same route/airline a few days earlier and didn't have to queue at all. The week prior to that, queues were out of the doors and people were taking several hours to get through. So it's unpredictable right now. Early arrival is the safest bet.

I flew from T5 Friday 18th March at 7.20am arrived at 5.20am and sailed through. Came back on Tues 22nd at 6pm, Daily mail were reporting 2 hour queues at immigration, it was empty, through in no time at all.

Thanks all, it's a weekday in Terminal 2. I can't quite believe Heathrow is packed at 3.30am with queues out the door (but it's not me who needs convincing, I'm happy to do what they tell us!)