My advice, if people find themselves in this situation, is as follows:
1. Try to get documentary evidence of your arrival time at the airport. A parking receipt, a till receipt at an airport shop, even a photo of the airport clock or information screen on your mobile phone. Take pictures of the queue.
2. Go to the head of the queue and explain politely to the check-in staff that you are presenting yourself for check-in more than 45 minutes before your flight as required by law; you are concerned you will miss your flight unless they prioritise you, due to their failure to resource their operations to meet demand resulting in excessive queuing. Request that they form a priority queue for everyone in your situation, and that they speed you through security.
3. If they refuse, inform them that failure to do so will constitute denied boarding under EC regulation 261/2004. They will be liable to provide a replacement flight, hotel accommodation, meals and financial compensation. Write down their response and their name, and tell them you are doing so.
4. If you miss the flight despite your best efforts, go to the airline ticket counter and insist that they take care of you under the EC regulation. Keep records of all your expenditure so you can claim it later.
5. Complain in writing, showing evidence and clearly claiming reimbursement and compensation under EC261/2004. Don’t be fobbed off, and file a Small Claim if they refuse. Go to Citizen’s Advice for help through the process.
1. Try to get documentary evidence of your arrival time at the airport. A parking receipt, a till receipt at an airport shop, even a photo of the airport clock or information screen on your mobile phone. Take pictures of the queue.
2. Go to the head of the queue and explain politely to the check-in staff that you are presenting yourself for check-in more than 45 minutes before your flight as required by law; you are concerned you will miss your flight unless they prioritise you, due to their failure to resource their operations to meet demand resulting in excessive queuing. Request that they form a priority queue for everyone in your situation, and that they speed you through security.
3. If they refuse, inform them that failure to do so will constitute denied boarding under EC regulation 261/2004. They will be liable to provide a replacement flight, hotel accommodation, meals and financial compensation. Write down their response and their name, and tell them you are doing so.
4. If you miss the flight despite your best efforts, go to the airline ticket counter and insist that they take care of you under the EC regulation. Keep records of all your expenditure so you can claim it later.
5. Complain in writing, showing evidence and clearly claiming reimbursement and compensation under EC261/2004. Don’t be fobbed off, and file a Small Claim if they refuse. Go to Citizen’s Advice for help through the process.