Recommended airport arrival time for flight?

[grecorj]

Do you still have to be at airport 2 hours prior to flight?

Also does DME bus still leave resort 3 hours prior to flight?

 

[Alesia]

Yes and yes.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes to both! I wouldn't cut it any closer flying through MCO, as the security lines there are some of the worst I have seen. Better to have extra time waiting for the plane than to be 1 minute late for it.

 

[grecorj]

Thanks

For the 2 hour arrival I was thinking more of on way to Orlando. The airport we use (Westchester County in NY) is very small. The Security line never takes more than 20 minutes max.

 

[Alesia]

Thanks

For the 2 hour arrival I was thinking more of on way to Orlando. The airport we use (Westchester County in NY) is very small. The Security line never takes more than 20 minutes max.

The website for your airport should tell you how early they recommend that you be there. If not, you can contact them to find out. Or ask around locally.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks

For the 2 hour arrival I was thinking more of on way to Orlando. The airport we use (Westchester County in NY) is very small. The Security line never takes more than 20 minutes max.

The answer is "it depends". My "home" airport is also small. If I'm flying by myself, no checked luggage, I target getting out of my car in the parking garage ~60 minutes before my flight. If I'm flying with the family and we have to check luggage, I'll target dropping the family off ~90 minutes before the flight, then go park. After checking bags, it's usually 15 minutes to get to the gate (yes, including security).

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

It depends on the airport - for ATL baggage check in must be completed 45 minutes before your flight. And that doesn't give me much time to clear security and make it to my gate so I would never cut it that close - I have gotten stuck for awhile in security so I try to get to the park n' fly place 2 hours before my flight. Then I know I'm good.

Your airport is probably different. Check their website to find out.

 

[Minnesota!]

We typically get to the airport 3 hours prior to departure, if not more. And, we fly out of the HHH terminal at MSP...10 or so gates, super small. One time, the 3 hours was barely enough. The security was so ridiculous. I can't remember exact timing, but people were missing flights left and right. This was at an off hour, as well.

After we got through, we had enough time to go to the bathroom and then walked right into boarding the plane.

Even small airports can have big backups...I always err on the side of caution. More time = less stress. Always worth it to me!

 

[DVC-Don]

At the Albany, NY airport I get there 1 1/2 hours prior to my flight. At the Orlando International airport I get there 2 hours prior to the flight.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

In Orlando do NOT cut it short. For reasons known only to the airport management this is a very poorly managed airport. Security lines can be VERY long.

 

[Donna M]

Your airline probably says how early you need to be there to board. If you don't have luggage to check or need to park then getting to the airport when they say will be fine, especially at Westchester. Some people feel more comfortable sitting at the gate knowing they are ready, than to sit at home.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never known a time when you aren't supposed to get to the airport 2+ hours before a domestic flight.

And with MCO I want to be in the security line at that point, honestly. Most other airports I'm planning on walking through the doors at the 2 hour mark (not parking or returning a car or in an elevator from the car return), but MCO, ay ay ay.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've never known a time when you aren't supposed to get to the airport 2+ hours before a domestic flight.

And with MCO I want to be in the security line at that point, honestly. Most other airports I'm planning on walking through the doors at the 2 hour mark (not parking or returning a car or in an elevator from the car return), but MCO, ay ay ay.

There's a difference between when you are SUPPOSED to be at the airport and when you NEED to be at the airport. Like I said, for my home airport, I can be parking my car an hour before my flight, walk in, get through security, get to the gate, and still have 30+ minutes until boarding starts. Would I try that at MCO (or ATL)? Absolutely not.