Experiences with BA?

[Marc Jones]

Cheapest flights I can see for my 'window' are with BA - do they do a 'check in chill out' type affair (a la Virgin) and if not is it 4 hours at the airport?

Cheers for any info!

[Phil O]

Well Excel now do Twilight check-in, which we'll be using this year. I would imagine BA do as well!!! Check they're website

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Phil

Just for clarification, there's no information on any of the Excel webs about the Twilight check-in. I was told it was on the BA site at http://www.ba.com but I'm damned if I can find it. Anyway, the information (provided to me by Excel) apparently said...

Excel Airways
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Opening hours: 16:00 - 22:00
Eligible flights: All departures up to and including 12:00 midday.
Charge: Free
Other conditions: All passengers must be present at check-in. Excludes those passengers collecting tickets at the airport.

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[Phil O]

Sorry Steve, maybe I'm being dim but what do you mean?

I knew nothing about the twilight check-in until I called Excel to pre-book our seats and confirmed that our flight was departing at 7.35am!!! Not the original 9.30 departure.

The booking agent, as he could tell I was quite upset at having to check-in at like 4.30a.m!! Told me about the twilight check-in service.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Phil

You said to check their website. Nothing is mentioned on their website. I contacted Excel and they confirmed that there is nothing about it on their webs but that it's mentioned on the BA site. Strange, but it came straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. They provided the info.

[Phil O]

That's weird!!

Although I did mean for Marc to check the BA site for info about Twilight check-in for BA flights, not that I know of any information held there about this service. Although I suppose that if they have info for Excel check-in, then they surely cover their own flights!!

I say we stop confusing one another Steve!!

[Dr Stefan Rustscheff]

It is perfectly possible to check in for BA flights at gatwick the evening before Your flight, should You wish to do so.
I have always been VERY pleased with BA and their services.

[Sally Hudson]

Hi,
I just followed the link off my booking form from Excel and it gives a link to http://www.gatwickairport.com/daybefore. If you follow the links for South Terminal check-in you reach a page that lists day before check-in for various airlines including Excel. I am really pleased to have seen this thread as I thought the day before check-in was only for early morning flights and ours is 11.45 so I didn't think we were eligible. I will now check that they haven't altered the time of the flight and do the twilight check-in - hooray!
Sally
PS I just rang Excel and the check-in area is in zone E

[Marc Jones]

Seems some confuddlement going on here!

I meant when coming home, I can drive to Gatwick in about 40 mins from here so checking in and hanging at Gatwick isn't a bother (in fact I enjoy it!).

Last two times we flew with Virgin they came to the Rex Turtle, checked us in, took our luggage and left us to chill at the hotel until just before we took off.

This time I'll be flying with either Virgin or BA but didn't know what they'd be like re having to check in to fly home. One thing I have learnt is to not rush through check-in at Crown Point as there is diddly to do once through the point of no return!