Checking in
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Checking in
Find out all you need to know about checking in at London Heathrow Airport – where to go, how early to arrive, how to use self-service or online check-in and when to board your flight.
Where to goCheck-in is on the first floor in Terminals 1 and 4, the ground floor in Terminals 2 and 3, and the top floor of Terminal 5.
For Terminals 1 – 4, find your check-in zone using the information screens near the entrance. Check-in zones are clearly marked by illuminated yellow cubes.
Terminal 5 passengers can use any of the 96 self-service check-in kiosks or staffed check-in desks.
How early to arriveYou are advised to check in as early as possible. As a general guide, you should allow:
- Three hours before scheduled departure for long-haul and El Al flights.
- Two hours before scheduled departure for European flights.
- Ninety minutes before scheduled departure for flights within the UK and Ireland.
You should check the instructions on your ticket and from your travel agent or booking website. If you are still unsure please check with your airline directly.
Before you check inTo save time, have your tickets and passport ready, and ensure your hand luggage contains only valuables and items you will need during the journey. Once your hold luggage is checked in, you can proceed to security control.
It pays to clear security control early and leave yourself time to relax before your flight, enjoy the shops, bars and cafés in the departure lounge, and get to your gate in plenty of time.
Please be aware that there are limits on the number and size of bags and on the quantity of liquid items which can be carried through security control.
For most destinations anything you buy after security control can be taken on to the aircraft – store staff will be able to advise you.
Self-service check-in
Self-service check-in offers a quick, easy and safe alternative to traditional check-in desks. Simply use the computer terminal to choose your seat and print your boarding card, then take your baggage to the bag-drop facility.
Please keep your bags close by and take care of credit cards, passports and other important documents when using the kiosks. Airline staff will be on hand if you need assistance.
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* Some passengers and flight destinations are not eligible for self-service check-in. Please confirm whether this service is available to you at the time of booking or visit the airline website to find out about service limitations.
Online check-inUse online check-in to select seats and print boarding passes at home, in the office, from a hotel or at the airport. All you have to do then is drop your baggage at the fast bag-drop kiosk.
To find out if you can use this service, please check with your airline.
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* Please note that passengers who have checked in online still need to arrive in good time for their flight – pay close attention to the times given by your airline for dropping bags, collecting boarding cards and arriving at the gate.
There's plenty to do in the departure lounge, whether you want to visit the shops, cafés and bars or just relax ahead of your flight.
Do keep an eye on the monitors listing flight boarding times and gate numbers. Boarding usually begins around 45 minutes before departure.
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