How early to arrive at airport??

[disneydreamerinny]

Is it still 2 hours? I know thats what it was when we went in 2002 but how about now?
They will be flying out of Albany, NY. (Friends leaving next week)
They have never flown before.
Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[antmaril]

I always allow two hours. On our return out of Orlando last month, the security line was VERY LONG! I'm glad I was there early. There were quite a few people who were getting very nervous about missing flights. I allow two hours going and coming.

 

[SillyOleBear]

When I contacted Delta/Song last month, they said to arrive at least 2 hours ahead of time. I find that it's worth it to arrive early - the lines are usually short when I get there. Just bring a good book.

 

[siobhan1997]

That depends what time you flight goes out I think, we flew Jetblue on a 6 am flight from Syracuse, NY, lady at hotel said better be there 2 hours before . Well we were the first to arrive a the airport, the only people there were cleaners and people setting up the lines. The security did not even open until 5 am. Did we feel stupid. Oh well, we sure made our flight in plenty of time.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

if you are determined to be the next feature on A&E's "Airline", just show up 10 minutes before your flight is to depart and make a big stink about it.
I personally like the 2 hour approach myself - but I do have a flight to Berlin via Paris at the end of April that is demanding a 3-hour appearance at the airport.

 

[LSchrow]

being an overplanner (something i think most DISers can relate to ), we're at the airport 2 hours early........& on our early AM flights, norm the only passengers there (btw, at that time, the airports are eerily similar to scenes in a certain Stephen King movie ~ umm, tommyknockers? )
one time, the limo driver parked a block away & fell sound asleep, not hearing the dispatcher's repeated calls. he drove crazy-fast to the airport (we had our eyes closed), with less than 10 minutes before departure, we high-tailed it thru security, to the gate, then heard our name on the loudspeaker (UH-OH!)
~ they bumped us up to 1st class!

cool ...........but i'd still rather take a no-asthma-attack, normal heart rate, noisy, squished seat flight over being a bundle of nerves in a "better" seat.