Arrival Time @ BUF for 6am flight??

[lionqueen]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knew a good time to arrive at the Buffalo, NY airport for a 6 am flight on a Tuesday? I know they recommend 1.5-2 hours. I was wondering if any frequent fliers know if it will be really busy? will the 1-1.5 hour range work? I really don't want to show up at the airport at 4 am if no one will be there. I've been there and gotten to the gate in 10 minutes but also it's taken over 40 minutes. any advice?? TIA

 

[Halle]

We had a 9:00AM flight on 12/27, arrived at 7:00 AM and went right through security. You never really know though, I personally would allow 1.5 hours.

 

[lawgs]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knew a good time to arrive at the Buffalo, NY airport for a 6 am flight on a Tuesday? I know they recommend 1.5-2 hours. I was wondering if any frequent fliers know if it will be really busy? will the 1-1.5 hour range work? I really don't want to show up at the airport at 4 am if no one will be there. I've been there and gotten to the gate in 10 minutes but also it's taken over 40 minutes. any advice?? TIA

do you have to park a car?

if there are two or you, one can get deposited for departure on the upper level and check bags perhaps, while the other parks the car...this takes time too depending how full the shuttles are and how often they are running

1 hour would be cutting it close, 1.5 would be better, since you never know how extensive the TSA line ups will be

we have seen it very crowded early in the morning sometimes both for checking bags and getting through security....

we usually to get to the airport from Canada at least 1.5 hours before departure just to cushion ourselves

 

[dancin Disney style]

There tends to be a lot more business travelers early in the morning at the start of the week.

Remember that you need to be at your gate ready for boarding a minimum of 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. So you really should be at in the terminal at least 1.5 hrs before your flight.

I often use BUF so I know what you mean about wisking through security in 5-10 minutes. Which seems to happen more often than not. However, I much prefer to be sitting at the gate early sipping a beverage and people watching then being stressed about making it. I know 4am is early but it probably is the best plan.

 

[ilovemk76]

do you have to park a car?

if there are two or you, one can get deposited for departure on the upper level and check bags perhaps, while the other parks the car...this takes time too depending how full the shuttles are and how often they are running

1 hour would be cutting it close, 1.5 would be better, since you never know how extensive the TSA line ups will be

we have seen it very crowded early in the morning sometimes both for checking bags and getting through security....

we usually to get to the airport from Canada at least 1.5 hours before departure just to cushion ourselves

Both have to be present to check in. If the one parking the car has bags to check they will have to wait in the line themselves.


Why cut it short. Did you see the $1200 thead where the family did not want to wait at the airport and missed their plan?

I fly often. I have a 6:40 am flight I take many times. I can get throught the TSA in 5 minutes one week and 45 minutes the next. Same flight day and time. Some times the bag check line it 5 minutes and other times 30. Guess which combinations go together.

 

[lionqueen]

I'm flying southwest. I'll check in at the 24 hour mark. Can I print out my husband and my boarding passes at the airport and have him park the car if he is not checking any bags? We have 2 bags but I can check them both under my name. thanks for the responses. we live about 40 minutes from the airport so i'm trying to figure out the best time to leave our house.

 

[ilovemk76]

I'm flying southwest. I'll check in at the 24 hour mark. Can I print out my husband and my boarding passes at the airport and have him park the car if he is not checking any bags? We have 2 bags but I can check them both under my name. thanks for the responses. we live about 40 minutes from the airport so i'm trying to figure out the best time to leave our house.

You can print both of your boarding passes from home. Some airports have a kiosk that you can print a boarding pass. When I have done it I couild print both mine and DH's. You can also check in and put the two suitcases in your name. Then you both can go thru security.