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Does anyone know if BA allows passengers to check in earlier than 2 hours before departure at ATH? I know that there are 5 earlier flights than mine (17255 Departure), so likely that check-in will be open all day. But will we be able to check in luggage and go to the lounge early?
If another check-in desk is open then it might be possible.
Last couple of times I flew from ATH there was no other BA check-in desks open and they didn’t start bag drop until exactly 2 hours before departure.
We were there in August, they were checking in an earlier flight and we were sent away and told to come back 2 hours before.
The ATH lounge isn’t worth getting there earlier for.
No, BA will not let you checkin earlier, every flight has a different set of counters which open 2h before only.
The ATH lounge isn’t worth getting there earlier for.
Very true. It’s extraordinary for a country where you’re never more than a few yards away from an excellent taverna selling fabulous food for a few euros. ATH has four lounges for airlines besides Aegean, and you won’t want to linger or eat in any of them. Frustratingly, they all seem to share the same dismal caterers so you can’t even benefit from lounge surfing.
The ATH lounge isn’t worth getting there earlier for.
I don’t really want to spend all that time in the lounge either. We’re coming off a cruise first thing in the morning and this was the earliest flight with Avios availablity. Looks like it’s going to be a long day!
No, BA will not let you checkin earlier, every flight has a different set of counters which open 2h before only.
Not many airports, including some of the whizziest ones, have the facility to receive early bags.
Further, airlines at outstations employ agents for a specific time period and can’t really manage check-in for additional passengers on later flights.
It’s technically possible but the issue is that the airport is expecting to load all the bags onto the flight immediately. If they allow early check in it they have to store the bag somewhere until when your plane arrives. Knowing ATH even if they had an airside bag store, there is a high chance they would forget to retrieve it when it’s time to load it onto your flight.
Chedk in time will be listed in MMB
There are many BA outstations where there is a restruction on people checking in too early – AMS and BER come to mind. Oh and LCY as well!
This is more due to airport requirements than BA just being incalcitrant.
If you have a long time between having to depart your cruise and the 2 hours befre the flight departs then I’d consider a day use room which will be far more comfortable than any airline lounge.
Does anyone know if BA allows passengers to check in earlier than 2 hours before departure at ATH? I know that there are 5 earlier flights than mine (17255 Departure), so likely that check-in will be open all day. But will we be able to check in luggage and go to the lounge early?
Most likely not. My last flight off ATH back in June with BA had the check in counters open exactly 2 hrs prior departure. If you can afford that go for it.
The new lounge is better more spacious and cleaner than the one in the past but it can get really packed if there’s a 2nd flight cause it’s shared with other airlines too. Food and drink options are standard,staff at least back then trying to replenish stock asap and doing a good job.
Nothing special apart from that. Everyone is looking forward for the airport’s big renovation that will see its 1st phase launching soon to increase the capacity to 33 mln pax by 2028.The ATH lounge isn’t worth getting there earlier for.
I don’t really want to spend all that time in the lounge either. We’re coming off a cruise first thing in the morning and this was the earliest flight with Avios availablity. Looks like it’s going to be a long day!
Keep an eye on availability especially in the days prior, more may open up and you can move to something earlier
The ATH lounge isn’t worth getting there earlier for.
I don’t really want to spend all that time in the lounge either. We’re coming off a cruise first thing in the morning and this was the earliest flight with Avios availablity. Looks like it’s going to be a long day!
Keep an eye on availability especially in the days prior, more may open up and you can move to something earlier
For reasons that I’ll hopefully post after the trip there is some risk with this. Might have to see if there is any earlier availability on the day. And looks like I’m either leaving my cases at the station in Athens, or sitting in a miserable landslide cafe for 6 hours!
Look at other left luggage services I wouldn’t spend 6 hours at the airport with your bags when you can spend a few £ to store them at a hotel etc
The ATH lounge isn’t worth getting there earlier for.
I don’t really want to spend all that time in the lounge either. We’re coming off a cruise first thing in the morning and this was the earliest flight with Avios availablity. Looks like it’s going to be a long day!
Keep an eye on availability especially in the days prior, more may open up and you can move to something earlier
For reasons that I’ll hopefully post after the trip there is some risk with this. Might have to see if there is any earlier availability on the day. And looks like I’m either leaving my cases at the station in Athens, or sitting in a miserable landslide cafe for 6 hours!
Can’t change the ticket once within 24hrs. One option could be to get a cash ticket so you can avail of same day change (though I know air fare out of Athens can often be chunky ££!)
Hotel Niki in Piraus offers day rates for less than 50 quid. Other hotels presumably do as well. Then direct train to the airport.
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