Heathrow departure

[vertisol]

Realistically, what's the latest I could arrive into Heathrow T3 for QF10 and still comfortably make the flight?

I'll be HLO and checked in online.

Q2. If I check in online, can I board by just using my QFF card like I can domestically or do I need to get some boarding passes printed at some point?

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Realistically, what's the latest I could arrive into Heathrow T3 for QF10 and still comfortably make the flight?

I'll be HLO and checked in online.

I get that you're only asking about the time you should arrive there, but the reliability of *how* you'll be arriving is also relevant.

 

[La Mouette]

Re Q2, you have to scan the barcode on your boarding pass before you enter security. Not sure that would work without a printed pass.

Re Q1, boarding starts 45 min before departure. Plus you need time to get through security and walk to the gate, which is at the far end of the terminal. So I'd say 60 min if you are not risk averse. I've made it in 45 min flying F ... just. The F host rang my mobile and kept check in open just for me. I guess the higher your cabin and FF status, the more lenient QF will be when things go wrong, which they are likely to with London transport.

 

[Mal]

Bear in mind as well that All Heathrow Terminals have what is called Conformance - varies by terminal, but is the time by which you have to have scanned your BP at security. For T3 it's 35 mins. (Qantas would be closing the flight by then anyway!)

 

[Princess Fiona]

Realistically, what's the latest I could arrive into Heathrow T3 for QF10 and still comfortably make the flight?

I'll be HLO and checked in online.

Q2. If I check in online, can I board by just using my QFF card like I can domestically or do I need to get some boarding passes printed at some point?

Q1. I have had some horrendous queues at T3 security even in the Premium lines. I wouldn't arrive any less than two hours before.
Q2. No, checking in online will not be sufficient. You will need a BP before going anywhere near security.

 

[vertisol]

Q1. I have had some horrendous queues at T3 security even in the Premium lines. I wouldn't arrive any less than two hours before.
Q2. No, checking in online will not be sufficient. You will need a BP before going anywhere near security.

Thanks for that info. Really helpful.

The next variable is the time taken to get from Liverpool Street to T3. QF Chauffeur or train?

 

[Himeno]

Thanks for that info. Really helpful.

The next variable is the time taken to get from Liverpool Street to T3. QF Chauffeur or train?

From Liverpool Street Station to LHR, it looks like underground to Paddington then HEX is the fastest option (at the time you would need to leave to get to QF10). ~44 mins.
Road transport would take over an hour.

 

[TonyHancock]

Q2. If I check in online, can I board by just using my QFF card like I can domestically or do I need to get some boarding passes printed at some point?

Going back three or four years I checked in online and printed my boarding pass (Traveling HLO). I was able to clear security etc. The passport check was done at the gate.

It may well have changed now though.

 

[scwappy]

LHR supports mobile passes on your phone, not sure if QF does though. Just found they don't, but you will be fine with a printed pass after checking in online

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks for that info. Really helpful.

The next variable is the time taken to get from Liverpool Street to T3. QF Chauffeur or train?

Depends how far you want to push the envelope and security queues at LHR. By car to LHR from central London is very variable 45 mins to 2 hrs. For May trip, we've booked the CD pickups for 5:30, 4 hrs before scheduled departure.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Q1. I have had some horrendous queues at T3 security even in the Premium lines. I wouldn't arrive any less than two hours before.

Yep I wouldn't/don't trust T3 to have a smooth check in experience. Get there when convenient but don't leave it late.

I've checked in there for CX, QF and BA and have always been glad I did it early.

 

[vertisol]

I might have to scrap my original morning plan as while I'm always on aircraft I don't like to leave things to chance when it comes to the airport.

 

[La Mouette]

I don't want to be the cause of you missing your flight, but I've never had any issues in Terminal 3 itself. I fly on QF10 or QF2 every 6-8 weeks, and haven't experienced any long queues or other delays once inside.

My biggest headache is getting there! If you rely on the chauffeur service, you have to factor in time for accidents, which seem to happen daily on the motorways here and involve closing lanes for hours on end. But if you take the train, you should be OK.

 

[Mal]

The other problem with T3 is that if your bag is selected for secondary screening, you will be at security for a long time.

I also find that a certain type of passenger that is frequently leaving t3 forgets their immense amount of gold jewellery or that their bag is full of perfume. Best to avoid being behind them in security. Not sure how to expand that comment!

 

[vertisol]

I know that person! Always just ahead of me

 

[Princess Fiona]

The other problem with T3 is that if your bag is selected for secondary screening, you will be at security for a long time.

I also find that a certain type of passenger that is frequently leaving t3 forgets their immense amount of gold jewellery or that their bag is full of perfume. Best to avoid being behind them in security. Not sure how to expand that comment!

:mrgreen:
It pays to do Ryan Bingham style profiling at T3

 

[serfty]

:mrgreen:
It pays to do Ryan Bingham style profiling at T3

Sometimes hard to do at T3. In January on [-]QF20[/-] QF10 the queues were short but there was only one premium in operation.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Sometimes hard to do at T3. Last November on QF20 the queues were short but there was only one premium in operation.

Hopefully both lines are open for my next departure. I most often leave in the early evening.
Do you mean QF10 ?

 

[serfty]

...
Do you mean QF10 ?

yip!

It was actually very quiet. It was just after 8am.