How long do you arrive at airport before flight?

[Fromtherough]

We normally arrive at the airport about 1.5-2hrs before our flight. We’re going away in a friend group next month and we’re getting a mini bus. Our friend has organised it and scheduled us to get there about 3 hours before the flight. We fly at 6am. It feels excessive to me, but other couples travelling think it’s normal. Is it?

 

[GB72]

Depends where you are flying. Long haul I get there 4 hours in advance

 

[upsidedown]

I'd rather spend an extra hour at the airport than fretting on the motorway were not going to get there in time. Our last departure from Birmingham, took 2 hrs to get through security having allowed 2hrs 30 from out hotel room next door

 

[PJ87]

We did 2 hours before our flight for the weekend

7 of us

Checked in online, booked parking at the terminal (meet and greet)

Went to do self bag drop (20-30 mins,) security (10 mins)

Waited 20 mins for the gate to come up. Went to gate then was on plane within what 20 mins

Wasn't that much time spare

 

[Alan Clifford]

Well, we left a buffer in case the train to Gatwick didn't turn up again. But it did. Then the flight was delayed by 3 hours. So hours in the lounge with an inexhaustable supply of food and drink. I had to show some restraint.
Arrive at the airport 3 hours before flight time is the objective.

 

[Billysboots]

I'd rather spend an extra hour at the airport than fretting on the motorway were not going to get there in time. Our last departure from Birmingham, took 2 hrs to get through security having allowed 2hrs 30 from out hotel room next door

This with bells on.

The first guide has to be the advice of your airline or the airport itself. But I’d far rather arrive early, have a beer in the bar, and not be frantically rushing and worrying that I’m going to miss my flight.

We flew to the States from Gatwick recently and arrived at the airport at about 7.30am for a 10.40am flight. By the time we had dropped luggage and got through security it was about 8.30am. Given the fact boarding for long haul flights generally starts about an hour before scheduled departure that didn’t give us long in departures.

Arriving 1.5 to 2 hours before any flight leaves very little room for manoeuvre. I find that especially true for European flights as many provincial airports seem to be chaotic. Security at Luton, for example, can be a nightmare during peak holiday season.

 

[paddyjk]

2 hours usually, never had a problem

 

[Lord Tyrion]

2-2.5 hours for me. Newcastle is a doddle to get through but I still err on the side of caution. Probably 2 hours when going from Newcastle, 2.5 at other airports. Other airports can be more problematic but 2.5 hours has always been enough.

3 hours is excessive imo but if it gives the organiser a less stressful experience I can understand the decision. Flying just isn't fun, unless it was a private jet but that hasn't happened yet

Out of interest, @Fromtherough who are you flying with, where are you flying from?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

We always get there a minimum of 3 hrs before the planned take off, and in the current worker relationship periods, I would porbably add an extra hour just to be sure.

 

[ColchesterFC]

It depends on the time of the flight and what month it is. A summer morning flight I'll normally look to be there around one and a half hours before the flight. A winter flight probably two and a half hours before just in case of delays on the way. Alternatively, if I'm staying in an airport hotel the night before then it'll be an hour before.

 

[Fromtherough]

The flight is mid-week at 6am to Menorca, from Leeds Bradford. In case that makes a difference.

 

[Tashyboy]

Short haul the advice is normally 2 hrs. Long haul 3 hrs. But that’s advice. Some airports you can get through no problems. Others can be a ball ache. If you are looking at 90 mins and any small problems arise on the way, traffic etc. it’s squeaky bum time. I would sooner get there an hour earlier than advice time. Leaves plenty of time for shopping food etc.

 

[Hobbit]

Enough time to have breakfast in one of the executive lounges. Comfy chairs, a read of the papers & a breakfast or snacks and drinks if it’s later in the day. They’re not that expensive when you take into account how much you’d spend in the regular watering holes.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

as has been mentioned by someone, would much rather be there early than not early enough.

if travelling with golf bags etc, I try to ensure I am there for when bag drop opens so there is plenty of time for the bags to find their way to the plane and get organised. I’m happy to spend time sat in an airport, get some food, a coffee, walk around the shops etc.

 

[Neilds]

Also need to factor in the fact that a group will always take longer to transit through the airport than a couple . People will want the loos, to pop into duty free, etc and you will soon find it will be like herding cats.
However, no-one will ever be right in these situations- go early and you will sail through, go later and there will be a delay and you will end up running for the gate

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Heathrow and Gatwick both 45min drives around the M25 from home so we usually leave home 3.5-4hrs before our flight time. We’d much rather arrive well beforehand than be sitting in traffic fretting.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The flight is mid-week at 6am to Menorca, from Leeds Bradford. In case that makes a difference.

2 hours then, go separately .

The reason for asking the question is in my experience, smaller, local airports tend to move people through check in and security quite smoothly. The bigger airports back up more.

At that time, arrive at 4am, midweek, seriously, how busy can it be? You will sail through.

Add in, I don't know the airline you are using but if it is Jet2, they are brilliant. Even the others, you are likely to have booked in beforehand, people are largely just dropping bags.

3 hours will give you 2 hours 45 in the lounge

 

[Fromtherough]

Did consider driving - but wouldn’t go down well with the Mrs. It’s Jet2 we’re going with. I’ll not be fancying a pint or a breakfast for that matter at that time of the morning. I can’t really complain and am grateful to our mate for organising. But can’t help thinking if we were going alone I’d be setting off from home around 3am rather than getting there for 3am.

 

[Hobbit]

We normally arrive at the airport about 1.5-2hrs before our flight. We’re going away in a friend group next month and we’re getting a mini bus. Our friend has organised it and scheduled us to get there about 3 hours before the flight. We fly at 6am. It feels excessive to me, but other couples travelling think it’s normal. Is it?

To answer your question, it’s not excessive to them but it is excessive to you. Both right and both wrong. I’d say, for group harmony especially at the start of a holiday, go early and enjoy their company sat in a restaurant having a breakfast.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

We aim for 3 hours. Had a few close calls in the past and it’s not worth the stress.

Just go to bed a bit earlier the night before.

As has already been said. It’s better to be sat in the airport an hour extra than sat on the motorway wishing you’d set off earlier.