How early to get to the airport?

[mrsschlep]

This being our first family vacation I am getting a little nervous the closer the time comes. What time should we be at the airport for our 6:55 am flight? Thx!

 

[FamilyGuy]

Domestic flight, checking baggage, recommended arrival time is 2 hours before departure. The main reason for this is that in the event of any delays before arriving at the airport (ie traffic) or after arriving (ie long lines) that you will still have plenty of time to board the flight. This would put you arriving at around 5AM.

Though this may not be suitable for others, I would aim to arrive at approx 5:30 AM, since the traffic would be light and it would also be highly unlikely that there would be long delays at the airport this early.

We just got back from our first Disney trip (9 days!) and loved it. We are annual pass holders now, and we are even strongly considering the Disney Vacation Club (think I'm gonna make the call today)!

The information on these boards is so helpful, any questions you have someone is always willing to answer. Have a magical time at Disney!

 

[safetymom]

I would check to see when the ticket counter opens at your airport and plan to be there when it opens. That will allow you plenty of time.

I have seen some pretty crowded airports before 6 in the morning.

 

[dudspizza]

I had a August flight at 7am. We got a 4:30 shuttle to the airport and were there by 4:50. Lines were not bad to check in, but security was quite long since there are many flights that leave around that time of the morning.

I would use 2 hours as a guide this first trip, then next time you will have a better idea as to how much time is appropriate.

Our next trip in June leaves at 7:30am. We will check in online the day before, so we will just plan on checking our baggage with the sky caps and off to the gate we go.... we will catch a 5:30 shuttle and be to the airport a little before 6, just to be safe... heck, you are so excited, why not get there and enjoy the airport......

Duds

 

[Chicago526]

My travel agency recommends 1 and 1/2 hours if you are checking bags, and 1 hour if you are doing just carry-on. If you have very young children that are traveling with you, I'd add on 1/2 hour to both times, traveling with little ones tends to slow you down.

 

[jel0511]

It also depends on what airport you're flying out of. Is is a local, regional airport or is it an international airport in a major city. Based on that information, local airport I'd get there at least 1 1/2 hours before, an international airport 2 hours before. When we recently flew out of PHL we got to the airport about 2 hours before. Luckily we did, by the time we curbside checked our bags(no wait) and made it through security (45 minute wait) they started boarding the plane about 15 mintues later. We heard MANY people on line at security complaining about how they might miss their flight. Security wouldn't let them move up to the start of the line, they had to wait like everyone else.

 

[beccasmom]

I'd give myself at least 1.5 hours. Even if the lines at the check-in counter are short, the security lines may be very long.....that has been our experience at both PHL (my home airport) and Orlando. The security lines seem to move faster in Orlando. You may need to wait longer than you would like at the gate, but your anxiety level will be lower!

 

[mrsschlep]

I will actually be flying out of Philly on SWA on a Sunday morning (if that makes any difference). Thank you for your replies, we will plan on being there around 5-5:30.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you are not close to the airport, you might also consider spending the night in a nearby hotel. I don't know about PHL, but many airports have reasonable properties nearby that will include a week's worth of parking in a one-nights stay for a small premium.

We do this for early morning flights out of DTW all the time, and have found it very useful.

 

[dudspizza]

If you are not close to the airport, you might also consider spending the night in a nearby hotel. I don't know about PHL, but many airports have reasonable properties nearby that will include a week's worth of parking in a one-nights stay for a small premium.

We do this for early morning flights out of DTW all the time, and have found it very useful.

I do the same at MSP. We stay at the Crowne Plaza for $85 plus tax. They shuttle us to and from the airport and we get to leave our car there... can't beat it....

Duds

 

[mrsschlep]

thank you i will have to look into that

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We are flying out of Dallas in January on a Wednesday morning at 6:40 AM on American. They told me to arrive 90 minutes prior if we are checking baggage. Can't guarantee we'll be there by 5:10. Kind of think we won't be...