I wonder if you can help please, timH has kindly let me know that when he went to Costa Rica he got there at 3am (3 hours before flight take off as advised on his holiday paperwork) but the arrivals did not open until 5. I'd rather not get there and wait around for a couple of hours is there anyway of checking this? I believe another traveller on the trip RogerS has already asked but is there a way to check? I'm flying on the 26th.

Regards

Lynn

Thanks for getting in touch, we advise all our travellers to arrive 3 hours prior to check in opening and I'm afraid I cannot advise any differently to this. Check in on long haul flights close one hour prior to departure time, so with a flight time of 6am, check in would close at 5am, check in desks are opening all night around as and when they are required.

I hope this helps,

Kindest,

Ben

Tim is quite correct in what he told you. Unlike Tim I arrived at T5 at 4.15 am for the 6.15 am flight figuring, rightly or wrongly, that as the first leg of the journey was to Madrid it would be classed as short haul.

The airport was practically empty at that time with just a handful of people, some of who must have been there all night as they were still sleeping, there were no check-in desks open. After wandering around thinking I was in the wrong place I was approached by a friendly staff member of T5 who asked if he could help me, I told him I was looking for where to check in for the flight to Madrid and was told "You can't check your baggage in until 5 am as the check-in desks don't open until then but you can get your boarding pass from one of the machines", he then helped me get my boarding pass. The airport began to spring into life around 4.30 am when people started to arrive.

I don't know what time the JY airport rep arrived, I personally didn't see her until after I had checked my case in at 5 am and I know a couple of people made a complaint to her about the lack of proper information in our holiday information pack.

Someone else on our trip had enquired the night before about the check-in time and was told it was 5 am. To avoid any confusion it might be an idea if you enquire with British Airways at T5 as to what the correct check-in time is, that way you will be sure, always assuming your flight time is the same as ours. We flew to Madrid with BA although our itinerary said Iberia, I know they are part of some alliance.

Have a great holiday, Costa Rica is beautiful, I am so glad I went while we still had the chance to go with JY.

Kind regards

Hi Lynn

Tim is quite correct in what he told you. Unlike Tim I arrived at T5 at 4.15 am for the 6.15 am flight figuring, rightly or wrongly, that as the first leg of the journey was to Madrid it would be classed as short haul.

The airport was practically empty at that time with just a handful of people, some of who must have been there all night as they were still sleeping, there were no check-in desks open. After wandering around thinking I was in the wrong place I was approached by a friendly staff member of T5 who asked if he could help me, I told him I was looking for where to check in for the flight to Madrid and was told "You can't check your baggage in until 5 am as the check-in desks don't open until then but you can get your boarding pass from one of the machines", he then helped me get my boarding pass. The airport began to spring into life around 4.30 am when people started to arrive.

I don't know what time the JY airport rep arrived, I personally didn't see her until after I had checked my case in at 5 am and I know a couple of people made a complaint to her about the lack of proper information in our holiday information pack.

Someone else on our trip had enquired the night before about the check-in time and was told it was 5 am. To avoid any confusion it might be an idea if you enquire with British Airways at T5 as to what the correct check-in time is, that way you will be sure, always assuming your flight time is the same as ours. We flew to Madrid with BA although our itinerary said Iberia, I know they are part of some alliance.

Have a great holiday, Costa Rica is beautiful, I am so glad I went while we still had the chance to go with JY.

Kind regards

Thanks for the info I'll have to give it some thought on what time to get there, I've just taken your advice and checked British Airways and it does say 5 am to drop bags.

Just one question does the luggage get checked through direct to Costa Rica, or when I get off the plane in Madrid do I need to go to luggage re-claim to collect it?

I'm glad you really enjoyed yourself I am really looking forward to going now. Plus it is great to be able questions on this forum

Best Wishes

Lynn

Glad I could be of some help. Your baggage will be booked straight through so theres no need to re-claim it at Madrid, you wont be seeing it again until you arrive in hot sunny Costa Rica!

Once again have a great time.

Best wishes

Hi Lynn

Glad I could be of some help. Your baggage will be booked straight through so theres no need to re-claim it at Madrid, you wont be seeing it again until you arrive in hot sunny Costa Rica!

Once again have a great time.

Best wishes

Brilliant thank you for your help

Best Wishes Lynn