A new rule imposed by Jet2 at 12 UK airports is turning the start of holidays for thousands of British tourists into a real ordeal before they even reach Maspalomas. The airline now requires check-in and baggage drop-off at least four and a half hours before departure, forcing passengers to make an extra logistical effort. This increased presence of tourists in southern Gran Canaria, aimed at preventing negative reviews upon arrival, has put hoteliers and apartment managers on high alert.
This measure particularly affects those with early morning flights, forcing them to go to the airport the previous afternoon—between 16:30 p.m. and 21:00 p.m.—to comply with the late-night check-in requirement if they want to avoid last-minute queues. Far from being an advantage, this obligation adds to the usual stress of travel and represents an extra burden for tourists heading to southern Gran Canaria.
Faced with this situation, travelers are forced to rearrange their plans the day before departure, having to travel to the airport with their luggage, check in, and return to their accommodations or places of origin. This additional step at their point of origin directly impacts the tiredness and fatigue with which tourists approach the start of their holiday trip to Maspalomas, increasing the stress from the very moment of departure.
Jet2 justifies this measure by citing the need to streamline processes and reduce queues at check-in counters during peak hours, especially for the first flights of the day. However, from the passenger's perspective, having to arrive at the airport so many hours in advance to check luggage translates into a logistical inconvenience and an added source of exhaustion, marring the start of the holiday experience.
