Paddington: Heathrow Advance Check In To Be Re-Established?

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  • Anonymous
    Guest

    VintageKrug
    Participant

    Interesting banner advert on the Heathrow Express website, which I haven’t seen before:

    http://www.heathrowexpress.com/Home

    “Check-In At Paddington, Coming Soon”

    This service was closed for oneworld carriers in late 2003, with Star Alliance following shortly after. The Victoria check-in was closed almost immediately after 9/11.

    A proper check-in facility would make a welcome return and is certainly something I would use.

    Rumour has it there will be no bag drop facility, just multi-airline self-service machines.

    This rather defeats the point as most boarding passes will soon be electronic (with printed at home/office or available as a text barcode on your mobile device), and the whole USP of checking in at the station is about not having to lug bags all the way to the terminal, and eliminate the need for a pre-security passport check for those taking only hand luggage to international destinations..

    Would be interesting if BT could find out any more…..


    GoonerLondon
    Participant

    Its just machines I’m afraid – you will be able to print your boarding pass at Paddington, They are installed and nearly ready to go. They are behind a hoarding illustrated with Paddington Bear at the end of the HEX platforms


    VintageKrug
    Participant

    I suppose it’s handy for those rushing from a meeting, who haven’t been able to check in onlilne.

    But in the next five years I would imagine most people will have internet capable mobile devices as ubiquitous as mobile phones are today. Plus boarding passes will increasingly become paperless, negating the need for a fixed terminal.

    Although, playing devil’s advocate, I suppose it will be useful for those from foreign climes who otherwise might have to pay roaming charges.


    ANDREWYOUNG1
    Participant

    I thought this was already up and running – obviously not.

    I do miss the days when you could check-in with hold baggage at Paddington, particularly when flying in Y, you felt like you were checking it at an F desk.


    VintageKrug
    Participant

    An old thread bumped by a spammer (posthas now been deleted).

    The machines are there to the right of the HEx ticket counter.


    Christophe
    Participant

    I can’t see the interest of this advance check in opportunity for people who have an internet access, i.e. almost everybody.
    Things coud be different if passengers where given the opportunity to check in luggage in Paddington. But i’m afraid we are still far away from this.


    Binman62
    Participant

    Of more use surely would be free wi fi on all Airport transport services. Most smart phones are wi fi capable and therefore, there is no cost for using the service. I know the poor old BAA need to extort money from the weary traveller at every turn, it is after all their raison d’etre, however if the wi fi access was limited to airline web sites that would eliminate the need for expensive kit at railway stations that is often as temperamental as a BASSA branch secretary!
    There is a great bus service from Glasgow Airport to the city centre which offers this and it is brilliant.


    ANDREWYOUNG1
    Participant

    Heathrow Express offers free wifi on their trains.

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