How early do YOU arrive at the airport?

[MayMom]

I know that airlines recommend 2 hours before the flight, right?? But what do my DIS friends recommend?

 

[TENIA66]

about 2 and half hours before, just in case you need to re-organize packing or something at the last minute, and to deal with any new additional security measures which seem to change often.....

 

[DawnDelion]

Sometimes it depends on the efficiency of your airport, but I have never arrived sooner than 1-1.5 hrs before my flight and have never had a problem. If you are traveling on Monday morning or Friday afternoon, expect more security line delays. If you use e-tickets with a self-checkin kisok, you can check-in within 5 minutes and usually through security within 10....but again, it may depend on your airport, so I guess 2 hrs is safe.

 

[dudspizza]

I always go with the AT LEAST 2 hours rule. I don't mind being early as I love the atmosphere that airports have. So many people going to so many different places..... I just love airports. I had not flown with my dad since I was little until this past May.... we were sitting in McDonald's at MSP having breakfast when he commented how much he loved that same atmosphere..... It was pretty neat...

Duds

 

[bavaria]

I average 12 minutes from front door to gate at my very large very busy intl airport. BUT I use the elite check in and baggage drop lines, bypass Immigration with my Nexus card, and use the express security line.

As an example of how times can vary, other travellers going on the same flight usually experience 30 minutes to check in, 45 minutes for Immigration, and 20 minutes for security.

Yesterday at that airport the lines were even longer - I would estimate 45/60/30 for a total of over two hours.

The terminal for regional flights had waits of about 20 minutes for baggage drop (after check in) and about 20 minutes for security - I was going intl, my friend was travelling regional and we compared notes.

 

[bavaria]

I always go with the AT LEAST 2 hours rule. I don't mind being early as I love the atmosphere that airports have. So many people going to so many different places..... I just love airports. I had not flown with my dad since I was little until this past May.... we were sitting in McDonald's having breakfast when he commented how much he loved that same atmosphere..... It was pretty neat...

Duds

You know, for all the time I spend in airports, I rarely use the Red Carpet Club or other lounge - I too like to sit in the terminal and people watch and take in the athmosphere!

 

[safetymom]

For me checking out a new airport is part of the fun of travel. I travel quite a bit and allow 2 hours and I have my Clear card that gets me through MCO security quickly and my priority card that gets me through security faster in most airports.

 

[goofy4tink]

2 hours for me too!!! I love the whole process...I'm going on vacation and this is the official start. I would much rather be way early and be able to kick back, have something to eat, relax, people watch, than to cut it too close and end up on the plane with about 2 mins to spare. I've seen people arrive like that and they don't look happy!

 

[DVC-Don]

Up here, 2 hours early. At Orlando 2.5 hours early. We usually have a meal after clearing security (breakfast or dinner depending on the time)

 

[alicenwonder99]

I usually figure about 1 - 1 1/2 hours before my flight. But I think I'm going to get to the airport about 2 hours early tomorrow. Just because I have a "feeling" something wrong is going to happen, like extra long security lines, the kids needing to use the bathroom 1000x's, and we're traveling with an infant for the first time.

The airport is just around 8 miles "down the road" from us, but I'm expecting it to take FOREVER because we're leaving during the morning rush hour. I'm allowing 45 minutes to get there, but I'm fearing it will take over an hour.

Mary

 

[SeaSpray]

We also try to time it so that we're there at least 2 hours before our flight is scheduled to leave. Like goofy4tink said, who wants to be rushing the last minute and hoping you don't miss your flight? lol You never know how long the security lines might be, so it's better to get there, check your bags, find your gate, then relax and have a bite to eat or a snack before the flight.

And our airport is in Boston so I make sure that our limo picks us up in plenty of time in case of traffic. If your airport isn't in a big city, you won't have to worry about traffic making you late.

 

[OKW Lover]

We time it to arrive about 60-90 minutes before the flight.

 

[salmoneous]

Depends upon the airport. I know my home airport (BDL) inside and out and have no problem getting there a little under an hour before a flight. The only exception would be a weekday flight going out from 7:00 - 9:00am, when I'll add an extra 15 minutes due to security backups.

Now at somewhere like LGA - which I don't know as well and can have so many problems, I'll give it a full 2 hours. Personally, I just don't see a need for more than 2 hours for any domestic flight unless you anticipate a problem with your tickets or something.

To be honest, I find things easier today than in the pre 9/11 days. On-line boarding passes, self-serve kiosks, extra x-ray lanes, etc. have made curb -> plane easier than any time I can remember.

 

[Lewisc]

A few years ago I read a post on a travel board. The flyer said if you've never missed a flight you've wasted too much time at airports.

Most of us would rather waste time in the airport then miss our flight. I usually get to the airport 1.5 to 2 hours before my flight.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

2 hours for me!!! I don't want to feel stressed that I might miss my flight. I want to check in and relax!! I'm on vacation!!

Trish

 

[pbnjrockette]

I give PHL at least 2 hours...but PVD (Providence) is usually good at 1 hour.

I don't mind being early--usually it's the only time besides on the flight that I get to read through a whole magazine or start a new novel!!

Oh, and if you are flying SW...you might need to be there a bit earlier to get in the wait lines if you're not an A boarding pass.

And also need to be there early to figure out what GATE your plane is really flying from (that's in PHL with SW or USAir!!!)

 

[keishashadow]

We try for 1-1/2 hours @ PIT. Parking shuttle drops us @ door next to AT gate, easy to navigate, usually small security lines (hope they still are); we eat breakfast/lunch - quick stroll & away we go.

@ MCO, we tend to arrive 2-1/2 hours early especially if we need to drop off rental car. I like to shop one more time in the disney store in case I've missed something.

Always afraid we'll get stuck in one of the outrageously long lines we tend to see when we arrive that stretches through the concourse...so far, so good.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Regardless of how much fun it is at the airport You have to be sure you give yourself enough time to get your bags checked. Different airports have different check-in time restrictions, and security stuff can alter that (like our recent liquids ban).

My sister recently checked-in online for a flight, and didn't give herself enough time to check her bag. Her only option? Her husband paid a fee and flew on a later flight (the one their bags were on), and she flew on the original flight with her 4 month old baby.

Since you can't bring liquids on the plane anyways - I give myself enough time to get there, check my bags, and then go have a leisurely cup of Starbucks before I board!

 

[FlyingBelle]

FYI - last time we flew home from MCO (I like to remember the airport code as Mickey Come Over!) It was a breeze checking in (using Magical Express at the hotel), but the security lines took almost an hour. It was a Monday afternoon. Even the TSA folks couldn't understand why it was so crowded that day.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

 

[jenelope]

I usually get there 1.5-2 hours before my flight, but I check the TSA average wait times and keep an eye on the news in case I need to leave earlier. I hate to say it, but for my last flight to Orlando, I got to the airport about 40 minutes before my flight due to a combination of waking up 20 minutes late, asking my chronically late brother for a ride to the airport, and some unexpected road construction. It all added up to a big, late mess. Not only did I get there after the cutoff for curbside check in, thus ensuring that I had to wait in line to check my bag, but I ended up spending the entire fifteen minute wait in security looking at my watch and fretting that I'd miss my flight. I got to my gate as they were announcing boarding. Never again! One and a half hours is my absolute minimum and two hours is my ideal.