How early can you check in for a flight?

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gished

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Ultimate Geek

#195446 20-Apr-2016 13:01

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?

wasabi2k

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Uber Geek

#1536547 20-Apr-2016 13:05

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.

bazzer

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#1536565 20-Apr-2016 13:11

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.

gished

259 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1536566 20-Apr-2016 13:12

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.

Hammerer

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#1536635 20-Apr-2016 13:57

Also depends which international airport you are travelling from. For example, Auckland is open 24 hours but Wellingon is closed 1.30-3.30am.

sbiddle

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#1536643 20-Apr-2016 14:06

Simple answer is no, you couldn't check in this afternoon for a flight tomorrow.

Batman

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#1536655 20-Apr-2016 14:18

set your alarm for 3 am (which is 1am in parts of Oz ...)

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#1536765 20-Apr-2016 15:42

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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sbiddle

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#1536806 20-Apr-2016 16:01

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.

venomio

152 posts

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#1536808 20-Apr-2016 16:04

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.

bazzer

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#1536811 20-Apr-2016 16:05

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.

freitasm

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#1536817 20-Apr-2016 16:13

I was replying to the later comments but missed the VA reference in the OP.

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MikeAqua

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#1537502 21-Apr-2016 14:32

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

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#1537957 22-Apr-2016 10:28

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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ajobbins

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#1538042 22-Apr-2016 12:30

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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ajobbins

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#1538085 22-Apr-2016 13:22

Also, I am being pedantic here, but a red eye flight is one that leaves at night before and arrives early the next morning. A 6am flight is just an early flight.

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