All right, how much earlier should I be at the airport?

[sistertrip]

With all this talk about extra security and delays with check-in, I haven't seen anything that tells just how much earlier we should be at the airport. I mean, are we talking an extra hour or an extra three hours.

For an 11:30 flight (with Southwest) on Sunday, from Manchester, I was planning on arriving at the airport by 9am (which means leaving my house at 7 am). I don't really want to leave my house earlier, but should I? My time frame would probably get me to the airport about 2 hours and 45 minutes before my flight time.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Check out this part of Southwest site ... not sure how up to date it is but should help

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/suggested_arrival.html

 

[justplaingoofy]

I would call your airline directly. I would think they would have a recording as to how much time to allow..

 

[zurgswife]

We fly out of Philly on Mon Philly is requesting 3hrs early ata minimum. I think it would depend on the size of your airport

 

[disneyldwjr]

With all this talk about extra security and delays with check-in, I haven't seen anything that tells just how much earlier we should be at the airport. I mean, are we talking an extra hour or an extra three hours.

For an 11:30 flight (with Southwest) on Sunday, from Manchester, I was planning on arriving at the airport by 9am (which means leaving my house at 7 am). I don't really want to leave my house earlier, but should I? My time frame would probably get me to the airport about 2 hours and 45 minutes before my flight time.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/travel_alert.html

 

[kaytieeldr]

See if this http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/search?airport=MHT&day=Sunday&time=11&submit=SUBMIT link works (it should be the direct, and current, answer to your question).
If it doesn't work, or if you want to check it again Friday or Saturday to see if it's any more up-to-date, the basic link is http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1683.shtm, then click on Wait Time Information.

 

[ducklite]

We fly out of Philly on Mon Philly is requesting 3hrs early ata minimum. I think it would depend on the size of your airport

I'm flying out of there Sunday night and think that's wise advice.

Anne

 

[Fourfun]

My flight is from Columbus Ohio... which says 3hrs.. UGGG... We have to be at the Airport at 4:30am on Sat now... I am so so glad I booked a hotel room at the airport for Friday night...(did it a few weeks ago so we didnt seem all rushed) I bet there wont be a room to be found now... alot of people will probable go the night before to catch those early early flights..

 

[ducklite]

See if this http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/search?airport=MHT&day=Sunday&time=11&submit=SUBMIT link works (it should be the direct, and current, answer to your question).
If it doesn't work, or if you want to check it again Friday or Saturday to see if it's any more up-to-date, the basic link is http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1683.shtm, then click on Wait Time Information.

I just plugged in the times and days for the route I fly regularly, and those wait times are completely inaccurate. Three minutes at MCO on a Saturday afternoon? Whoever put that data into the Db is smoking something.

Anne

 

[newholidayx2]

ugh
ok so now we're leaving home at 415am to get to Logan (figure an hr travel from central MA?)
flight is at 815 and Delta is suggesting 3hrs minimum

on the way home DH always needs to get to the airport 3hrs ahead - now it will be 4hrs! yikes! uhoh maybe I better change our last AR!

 

[ducklite]

ugh
ok so now we're leaving home at 415am to get to Logan (figure an hr travel from central MA?)
flight is at 815 and Delta is suggesting 3hrs minimum

on the way home DH always needs to get to the airport 3hrs ahead - now it will be 4hrs! yikes! uhoh maybe I better change our last AR!

With the tunnel collapse they are suggesting adding an hour or more to your travel time to get to Logan.

Anne

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

With the tunnel collapse they are suggesting adding an hour or more to your travel time to get to Logan.

The connector tunnel reopened yesterday.

 

[BostonTink85]

Quote:
Originally Posted by newholidayx2
ugh
ok so now we're leaving home at 415am to get to Logan (figure an hr travel from central MA?)
flight is at 815 and Delta is suggesting 3hrs minimum

on the way home DH always needs to get to the airport 3hrs ahead - now it will be 4hrs! yikes! uhoh maybe I better change our last AR!



With the tunnel collapse they are suggesting adding an hour or more to your travel time to get to Logan.

Anne

I don't think you need to add a whole extra hour to your time if the poster is leaving at 4:15 am. You won't hit any traffic at that point and there shouldn't be major lines at security at 5 am, even with the new implications. Speaking from experience, we flew Delta Song last year out of Terminal A at Logan and got there at 6 am for an 8:30 flight (got into the airport from right south of boston in 20 minutes, I know it's changed but still there wont' be traffic) and there was NO ONE in the security line. We were literally the only ones, so then we had a little over 2 hours til take off to waste but we were happy that we were early and had some time to relax. So to newholidayx2 I would say planning on being at the airport 2 hours ahead of time would be more than fine for you. Have fun on your trip

 

[Suzyq9241]

no matter how early you get there just have a magical time....

 

[sistertrip]

no matter how early you get there just have a magical time....

You said it perfectly! I've been thinking so much about airport and flight stuff, that I almost forgot the whole point: I'm going to Disney World!

 

[CarolA]

Here's a trick I use for smaller airports. Find the local news media outlets and read. They LOVE to report on the back ups at their airports. Gives you a pretty good idea.

I just went cruisng for B'ham AL for example and found that the media is reporting there were big delays this AM at security, but as news has traveled the lines are back to normal right now.

 

[Kteacher]

Not sure about other airlines, but Delta is still advising arriving 3 hours early. Hate getting up that early ( we have a 7:30 a.m. flight out of Bradley in Ct. ) , but I'd rather be waiting for my flight by the gate than waiting in line at the security check point.

 

[Suzyq9241]

Even though I would love to tell my dh " Honey lets drive and not fly" I am still gonna fly....


Just think you'll be in a magical place (wdw)soon....

 

[pxlbarrel]

For those going to the airport hoping to arrive by 4 am or 5 am, it's not a bad idea to call the airport and see if anything is open. I only say this because I once took an early shuttle to LAX to get to the counter early and found that all the ticket counters were still closed....and in fact the airport was closed!! I got there at 5:00 am....

Just to make sure...

 

[pixistix]

We are also flying from Philly Monday morning. I'm trying to figure out if 2 hours earlier than our flight is early enough.