I've got the red-eye to Aus tomorrow and don't really want to check in at silly o'clock. Online check in isn't available either (thanks Virgin). Could I for example check in at 4pm this afternoon for a 6am flight?
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They normally open check in about 4 hours before from memory if you are checking in at the gate.
edit: I last travelled internationally 2 years ago so could be wrong.
From their website: "International short haul check-in opens 2 hours prior to scheduled flight departure time." So probably not. You could call and ask though?
P.S. I think you're misusing "red-eye". Doesn't it refer more to flights that leave late at night and arrive in the morning, you don't sleep much so have red eyes the next day? Admittedly, you'll have to get up early for your flight which may have the same result, but I think that's non-standard usage.
Hmm 4 hours does ring some bells for when I last went overseas as well. Unfortunately that would push the check in time to absurd o'clock.
Also depends which international airport you are travelling from. For example, Auckland is open 24 hours but Wellingon is closed 1.30-3.30am.
Simple answer is no, you couldn't check in this afternoon for a flight tomorrow.
set your alarm for 3 am (which is 1am in parts of Oz ...)
sbiddle:
Simple answer is no, you couldn't check in this afternoon for a flight tomorrow.
I checked in online 24 hours prior flights with both Air NZ and QANTAS for international flights. I then only had to go directly to Immigration/passport check (had carry on only). The gate manager checked my passport on the spot (although there's a special, shorter queue on QANTAS WLG that will do this for you without having to wait in the longer full check in queue).
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freitasm:
sbiddle:
Simple answer is no, you couldn't check in this afternoon for a flight tomorrow.
I checked in online 24 hours prior flights with both Air NZ and QANTAS for international flights. I then only had to go directly to Immigration/passport check (had carry on only). The gate manager checked my passport on the spot (although there's a special, shorter queue on QANTAS WLG that will do this for you without having to wait in the longer full check in queue).
QF and NZ offer OLCI for international flights. VA don't offer OLCI for international, only Australian domestic. Your only options for check-in are kiosk or counter which only opens 2 hours before the flight.
Our friends recently checked in (including their bags) about 5-6 hours before their flight to LAX a few weeks ago. But that was with AirNZ at Auckland International, so I'm unsure if this will be different to other airlines.
freitasm:
sbiddle:
Simple answer is no, you couldn't check in this afternoon for a flight tomorrow.
I checked in online 24 hours prior flights with both Air NZ and QANTAS for international flights. I then only had to go directly to Immigration/passport check (had carry on only). The gate manager checked my passport on the spot (although there's a special, shorter queue on QANTAS WLG that will do this for you without having to wait in the longer full check in queue).
That's interesting, but a completely different situation, so not really relevant here, is it? The OP has stated no online check-in, so regardless of his baggage arrangements he's going to have to rock up early in the morning.
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Last time I flew the AirNZ red eye ChCh to Melbourne: -
1) Check in didn't open until 15 or 20 minutes after the stated 'check in by' time.
2) Koru lunge didn't open until about 30 minutes after check in.
gished:
I've got the red-eye to Aus tomorrow and don't really want to check in at silly o'clock. Online check in isn't available either (thanks Virgin). Could I for example check in at 4pm this afternoon for a 6am flight?
Mike
venomio:
Our friends recently checked in (including their bags) about 5-6 hours before their flight to LAX a few weeks ago. But that was with AirNZ at Auckland International, so I'm unsure if this will be different to other airlines.
They would have been there in the thick of the day.....and for travel the same day. The OP proposes a check-in (other than online) the night before for an early flight.
Not happening.
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sbiddle:
QF and NZ offer OLCI for international flights. VA don't offer OLCI for international, only Australian domestic. Your only options for check-in are kiosk or counter which only opens 2 hours before the flight.
I have, on numerous occasions, checked in both via kiosk or via a counter hours before the 'official' check in open of (usually) 3 hours for an international flight. Probably about 6 or 7 hours before the flight is the longest, and I've just approached a counter and said something like "I know I am way early, but can I check in now for flight xxx to xxx?" and the answer has always been, "of course".
There will obviously be some limit on how early you can truly check in (for systems and operational reasons), and I would imagine a check in agent may deny check in if you are so early that they suspect you may check in then depart the airport, even if there system allows it.
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