Hi Bosuncat,
Apologies for the delay. For these Jet2 flights, you will need to check in online. Check in for these flights open on the website approximately 28 days before you travel and you will not able to do so until then.
Jet2 will usually charge you to select a seat in advance of travel. We do not pre seat our customers on Jet2 flights so that you have the option to choose what you want if you check in online - obviously this is subject to availability. Once you have selected your seat, it may be possible to change it, but could be for a fee and again would be subject to availability. This should be able to be done on the Jet2 website. If you do not check in online, you will have a seat allocated for you, this can be changed at a charge and will be subject to availability.
If you check-in online, the three and a half hour wait is quite excessive but is a recommendation from the airline. Of course, you should be at the airport as early as possible, but two hours before the scheduled flight time for this tour should be fine.
I can't really comment on the food on a Jet2 flight as we have not received any feedback and personally, I have not sampled a Jet2 meal as yet. I suppose it is completely dependent on your food preferences too.
Kindest regards,
Monty