Flight leaves at 5:15 am.....

[Minnie_me]

Do we really have to be at the airport at 3:45 am??? The airport's website recommends arriving "at least 90 minutes before your flight departs". I haven't flown in 8 years, but I do remember a lot of waiting and doing nothing before boarding!

Is it still really necessary to get there so early?

 

[nacho113]

Depends how busy your airport is. If its a small local airport you could probably get away with 60 minutes.
If you are talking about the return flight out of MCO, 90 minutes may not even be enough. Security lines can be crazy long. You would think an early flight would be better because of less people in the lines, but there are also less Security Officers working and less portals open.
Just don't cut it too fine, missing your flight because you got caught in traffic of had a flat tire (or a million other possibilities) would be a pretty cr@ppy way to start your vacation.

 

[MillauFr]

Long security lines at 4:30 in the morning? No way. Getting there at 4:15a is plenty of time.

 

[firecracker725]

Long security lines at 4:30 in the morning? No way. Getting there at 4:15a is plenty of time.

Depends on which airport you're flying out of. No way would I allow less than 90 minutes at ATL no matter what time of day it is.

 

[MillauFr]

Depends on which airport you're flying out of. No way would I allow less than 90 minutes at ATL no matter what time of day it is.

You don't need 90 minutes if you have an early morning flight.

 

[Gracie09]

You don't need 90 minutes if you have an early morning flight.

It depends on the airport. If I'm flying westchester, no way would I be there that early. Jfk, lga or ewr I absolutely would be there early. The security lines can be very long even at that time of day.

 

[sam_gordon]

You don't need 90 minutes if you have an early morning flight.

I agree, it depends on the airport. I can get by with 60 minutes at my home airport any time of day. Orlando, Atlanta, or any major airport, I'm getting there no later than 90 minutes, even for that time of morning (two hours for "normal" flight times).

 

[Minnie_me]

The airport is Rochester, NY. It's small, and the only time I've ever seen it *busy* was during February break.

 

[honeybunches]

We fly through Allegiant, and they definitely turn people away who did not arrive in that specific window of time. We've never flown at that time of morning, though.

 

[kamik86]

IN my small airport (Albany NY) the worst lines are generally for the earlier flights. They don't start flights until 6 but from 5-6 have the worst lines because every airline has a 6 and most a 6:30 and there are less TSA officers.

If you have a noon flight you rarely have any line at all.

I will also add that if you haven't flown in 8 years that means your not used to going through security, may not know where everything is and how to get there without having to read signs, etc. So honestly I would say you should have 90 min. Especially if you also have to check bags.

I have definitely done my airport with only an hour to spare but that is when I knew I had A list so could skip bag check lines, security would be manageable and knew exactly where I was going.

 

[firecracker725]

The airport is Rochester, NY. It's small, and the only time I've ever seen it *busy* was during February break.

My suggestion is to find someone who flies out of that airport frequently and ask their advice. Try the Flyer Talk forums.

 

[Jarmo]

It's an upstate NY party in here! I know the Syracuse airport can get quite busy on weekdays before the 5:30am flights. Lots of people going to business meetings for the day. If it's a weekend I wouldn't worry.

 

[Jimsig]

The security may not even be open at 345a. Check the airlines website for your airport to see what time the ticket counter and security open. That's a good indication of when you have to be there.

 

[sam_gordon]

The airport is Rochester, NY. It's small, and the only time I've ever seen it *busy* was during February break.

How many people are in your traveling party? How much luggage are you checking? How familiar are people with the security line? What are the ages of the people traveling with you? Any mobility issues (strollers, wheelchairs, canes, etc)? Any medical devices/implants that you would expect would trip the metal detectors/scanners?

Last but not least, assuming this is for a flight to vacation, everyone will be excited and willing to get up early. Depending on the answers to the above questions, I'd probably try to arrive around 4am. Don't forget boarding will generally start about 20 minutes before departure.

 

[elaine amj]

If you want to check your bags, don't you HAVE to be there at latest 60 mins before your flight? (don't they close the bag check in?)

With flights, DH hates messing around. It's easy to run late and it drives him nuts. The worst lines we have seen at our airport has been for the last two 6am flights. Normally we fly late afternoon/evening and never have an issue. The morning flights have been crazy long lineups.

Say you get there 90 mins early...
15 mins to check bags/get through security (if line is short)
30 mins to get breakfast/meal
15 mins to wait for boarding time (your buffer time)
30 mins to board the flight (20 mins for some airlines)
Flight departs

That adds up to 90 mins before your flight.

While we have done the 60 mins before, we find 90 mins to be just enough time to go through everything at a relaxed pace.

We always eat at the airport now. Adds to our buffer time (if something happens like traffic or extra long lines or whatever), we can always skip our meal (or takeout to eat on the plane).

 

[Baklava]

If you want to check your bags, don't you HAVE to be there at latest 60 mins before your flight? (don't they close the bag check in?)

My understanding is that you may make it on the flight but your bags won't. They'll follow on a later plane which can be a massive pain on the other end. I don't even know how DME would deal with that.

 

[sam_gordon]

If you want to check your bags, don't you HAVE to be there at latest 60 mins before your flight? (don't they close the bag check in?)

According to Delta's page (I'm assuming other airlines are similar), the cutoff is 30 minutes before the flight (assuming domestic), with a few exceptions (JFK and the Virgin Islands are 60 minutes, the other exceptions are 45 minutes). Here's their list: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/check-in/requirements.html

 

[sam_gordon]

My understanding is that you may make it on the flight but your bags won't. They'll follow on a later plane which can be a massive pain on the other end. I don't even know how DME would deal with that.

DME has no idea and doesn't care what flight your bags are on. As long as they have the yellow tags, they'll get pulled. Obviously there might be a delay in getting you the bags, but the delay is because of the airline handing them over to DME late.

 

[Baklava]

DME has no idea and doesn't care what flight your bags are on. As long as they have the yellow tags, they'll get pulled. Obviously there might be a delay in getting you the bags, but the delay is because of the airline handing them over to DME late.

Good to know! Thank you.

 

[elaine amj]

I looked up Southwest's policy (since that's who I typically fly) and this is what they say:

Late Check-In
When checking baggage, allow sufficient time for it to be placed on your flight. Baggage checked at curbside or at the ticket counter less than 45 minutes before scheduled departure will be tagged with a Late Check-In Tag.

Although every effort will be made to get late checked baggage on your flight, in the event your baggage does not arrive with you at your destination, Southwest will not assume delivery charges to get your baggage to you.