Flying out of Toronto

[MamaLema]

I would love some help.

I have not flown in about 20 years. We are flying to Puerto Rico, going through Chicago.

What time should we be at the airport flying from Toronto to Chicago for a 6:30 am flight?

I wanted to fly out of Buffalo, but I couldn't believe it was cheaper to fly out of Toronto

 

[abdmom]

I would love some help.

I have not flown in about 20 years. We are flying to Puerto Rico, going through Chicago.

What time should we be at the airport flying from Toronto to Chicago for a 6:30 am flight?

I wanted to fly out of Buffalo, but I couldn't believe it was cheaper to fly out of Toronto

4:30 am See if you can checkin online 24 hours prior. Select your seats at that time if you don't have seats already.

 

[MichVick]

We always try to arrive 2-3 hours before our flight - we fly out of Toronto as well. Check in opens three hours before flight time and we like to be there as early as possible to get the seats that we want and sometimes security and customs takes a long time to get through. Once that it over we use what ever time we have left to grab breakfast and relax before boarding. Our flight in Sept is 6:40am and we plan on arriving around 4am.

 

[sherilaine]

I would also suggest online check in - you can do this up to 24 hours prior - once seat assignment is done, then all you need time for is customs/security, which can take time. It is nice though to not have to show up early just for good seats - those days are long gone in my opinion.

 

[MichVick]

Not all airlines offer online check in - we are flying canjet (through air transat) and they do not. The airline website recommends checking in three hours before your flight. A lot of times, particularly at Pearson Airport, the wait times for security can be quite long. I would rather arrive early and not feel rushed

 

[archdandy]

The Toronto Pearson website suggests arriving 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. I've flown many times from Toronto and have had the same flight departure time as you. Customs does not open until 4-4:30am so if you get there earlier and check in you will be waiting in line for a good while before you can even get through customs. I like to do it anyways because it makes sure we are one of the first people through customs and there is never a line for security. It leaves us more time to relax at the gate and grab a bite.