7am flight from SYR

[Parkerpooh]

What time would you arrive for a 7am flight from Syracuse to Orlando? No customs to go through. I have 3 young kids and don't want to wake them any earlier than I have to. Just wondering what others do? Thanks, Jen

 

[Ted in Halifax]

2 hours for domestic, 3 for international ...

 

[irisesareblue]

Parkerpoo, domestic in the US may be even less than 2 hours - the one surefire way to reduce time at the airport is only take carry on luggage - with most airlines, it's cheaper that way too! Also, be sure to do the online check in 24 hours in advance.

It doesn't look like a huge airport by any standard....I'm sure you won't have too far to drag the kidlets!!!

Have fun!

 

[Judy in Texas]

I aim to be at the gate a minimum of 1 hour prior to take off for domestic flights. That gives me time to get a drink, magazine, hit the bathrooms 2x. With kids that may not be on the same bathroom schedule, it may be 3 or 4x so plan accordingly. Add additional time if you want to take advantage of advanced boarding for families. Back up from there... how long will it take you to get through Security... how long will it take to check in... how long will it take you to get from parking to check in... how long does it take to get from home to parking?

 

[disneyba]

Last time we flew SYR-MCO on jetBlue, I called and they recommended arriving two hours early. Ours was also a morning flight. We were a party of six adults, a toddler, and a baby. We drove down from the Ottawa area.

So, we arrived the two hours early. It took us about fifteen minutes to unload the luggage and park the cars, another fifteen to check-in (did not do online check-in), another fifteen to get through security, and five more minutes to walk to our gate area.

That left us with about a thirty-five wait until boarding. A bit of extra time, I guess. But we really did not want to cut it any closer than that. One can never tell when the parking/check-in/security process will take a bit longer.

If you are flying jetBlue, they start pre-boarding for families with children about 35 minutes before departure time.

So, arriving two hours early sounds like a good idea to me.

SYR is not a big airport. About the size of YOW in Ottawa. We've flown out of YYZ several times, and SYR is faster and easier.

Hope this helps. Have a good trip.

 

[Flight]

We arrive at the gate one hour prior to departure. Allow another 30 - 45 minutes for check-in and security screening.

With that early morning flight, the kids will probably sleep through the entire flight. Wake them up as the plane begins the descent so they can keep their ears clear of increasing pressure.

 

[FayeW]

We always drive down the night before and stay at either the Best Western Airport Inn (literally at the edge of the runway) or the Holiday Inn Express on Electronics Parkway. Both have free shuttle to the airport. Last year the "park and fly" rate was $104., and gives free parking for 14 days.

If you drive down in the morning you are going to have to pay to park at the airport, anyway. For not much more you can avoid the stress of worrying about delays at the border and get a few hours more sleep.

 

[abirdd]

I agree with FayeW. When you've got little ones in tow, doing a stay/park/fly package in Syracuse might be the better option. I know the drive from Kingston to Syracause is not terribly far, but I'd rather stay closer to the airport than risk missing a flight due to unforseen delays at the border.