An airport Checkin question...

[mickeyforpresident]

hi guys, so sorry about all th questions at the moment.

Our flights on the way home begin with a domestic flight from MCO to ATL. How long before the flight should we check in? Normally you'd checkin 3 hours before an international flight but with domestic only 1?

Thank you!!!!!!!

 

[Kath2003]

You can theoretically arrive at the airport a bit later if you've checked in online, as when you check in for the domestic it also checks you in for the international leg. You MUST make sure you arrive before bag drop closes if you have checked luggage.

Given that traffic in Orlando can be awful, and security at MCO is always hit or miss, we follow the international flight guidelines and aim to arrive a minimum of 2-3 hours before departure, usually still arriving at least 3 hours beforehand. MCO has plenty to do and a reasonable food court, so we use it as a last opportunity for some "real" food and browse the shops. There's also free wifi.

You don't want to miss that domestic flight, doing so would forfeit your ticket. For the sake of a bit of boredom at the airport, get there early. It also means that if your domestic flight is delayed, you have the time to rebook your international flight with the airport staff if needed.

 

[chmurf]

Do you drive or'do you use the magical express ?

If you drive allow time to drop the car off and to check in

At mco if you don't check in 45 minutes beore fa domestic flight (60 minutes for international) you won't be able to check luggage or even board the plane. Your flight might be considered as an international since its destination is outside of the usa

Here's what mco has to say about it (from the mco website faq)

How long before my flight should I arrive at the airport?
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving two hours before a domestic departure, or three hours before an international departure (or a domestic departure connecting to an international flight at another U.S. airport), but please check directly with your airline for specific recommendations.

 

[Elise79]

We usually get to MCO 2 to 2 and half hours before any flight (international or domestic) as with online check now there really is no need to spend hours at the airport. The 4 hour thing dates back to when everyone for every flight had to queue up and check in at a desk.

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Thank you all - again!

 

[mco65]

MCO can be a zoo at times. Getting through security can also be a bear so I would arrive no less than 2 hours before departure time.

 

[scoobydooby]

We aim for 2 hours before an international flight. I see no point hanging around. I always check for delays before leaving too. One year our flight was delayed 6 hours. We this arrived two hours before the new flight time. Some poor families had been there for 8 hours when we arrived at checkin. We had been at the Magic Kingdom all day