Southwest check-in at Buffalo, 1 hour before flight

[Jeffan1ca]

Our flight departs Buffalo at 07:25 a.m. According to Southwest website, we should be at the airport 1 hour before the flight. The Buffalo Niagara International Airport website says to be at the airport a minimum of 1.5 hour before flight. Our airport hotel shuttle doesn't start until 06:00 a.m so it will be tight just to make the Southwest suggested time. I plan to do the 24 hour online check-in before. Should I be concerned about cutting it close for being at the airport 1 hour before flight departure?

 

[safetymom]

Yes when you consider they start boarding about 15-20 before flight time. I would allow more time. You don't say what day of the week because I am sure it is more crowded on the weekends.

I would take a taxi to allow the extra time or see if the shuttle can take you sooner.

 

[DebbieB]

Are you checking luggage? If you are, I would try to get there sooner.

 

[CarolA]

Call SW. Make sure the counter is open. I have seen lots of folks get to the airport using the airports times for early morning flights only to sit on the floor for an hour because the counter or security isn't even open that early.

 

[deltachi8]

Our flight departs Buffalo at 07:25 a.m. According to Southwest website, we should be at the airport 1 hour before the flight. The Buffalo Niagara International Airport website says to be at the airport a minimum of 1.5 hour before flight. Our airport hotel shuttle doesn't start until 06:00 a.m so it will be tight just to make the Southwest suggested time. I plan to do the 24 hour online check-in before. Should I be concerned about cutting it close for being at the airport 1 hour before flight departure?

I have taken that 7:25 flight before and usually arrive just after 6 and have plenty of time.

The BUF airporrt is small and easy to navigate. Use online check in and curb site check your bags, go into security, hang a right and your at the SW gates.

Donet worry about your hotel shuttle, you should arrive in time.

 

[Jeffan1ca]

I have taken that 7:25 flight before and usually arrive just after 6 and have plenty of time.

The BUF airporrt is small and easy to navigate. Use online check in and curb site check your bags, go into security, hang a right and your at the SW gates.

Donet worry about your hotel shuttle, you should arrive in time.

Its a Saturday flight. I've never flown Southwest or out of Buffalo. How do you take advantage of curb site checking of bags?

 

[NYMomof4]

We fly out of Buffalo and generally try for the hour and a half because the early morning is the busiest time at this airport. Curbside check in is right out front but last trip the lines inside were shorter and it was chilly outside. The main delay is the security line, otherwise it's pretty easy to navigate.

 

[llyolf]

I'll 2nd the hour and a half if flying out early.... we flew out early on a Friday and the security line went all the way back to both doors. It moved rather effeciently, but we ended up there just before there were starting the pre-boarding (Thank goodness for the 3 year old!)

funny thing for us was, I thought the flight was 7:45 until the morning we flew out and found it to be 7:25.... luckily I had woken up about 5AM and rechecked it and said "Oh my goodness! we gotta get dressed and out of here!"

Enjoy,
Paul

 

[deltachi8]

On a saturday you wont have as many business travelers in the AM.

 

[salmoneous]

No one can ever give you the perfect answer to these questions. The earlier you get to an airport, the less likely you are to have a problem. If you get there 45 minutes ahead of time, there's a small chance you'll miss your flight. Get there an hour, the chance is smaller. Plan to get there 2 hours ahead of time and the probability of a problem is pretty small, but never none. The tradeoff between getting there early (and, in your case, between a free shuttle and a cab) and a higher risk of missing a flight is something you have to decide for yourself.

All I can tell you is what I would do. At regional airports, I am very compfortable getting to the terminal an hour ahead of a flight. And I'm a stress puppy. If Southwest has Buffalo listed at an hour ahead of time, I wouldn't worry about it. (Note, that's terminal time. If I have to drive, park, catch a shuttle to the terminal, I need to "get to the airport" more than an hour ahead of time.)

 

[chasbos]

Just curious as to what hotel you are staying at?

We stayed at the Comfort Suites last year and the first shuttle was like at 5:00 a.m.

We are staying at the Quality Inn on Thursday and just assumed that the shuttle services all started at the same time!

Maybe I will give them a call.

 

[Jeffan1ca]

We're staying at the Clarion, 2 miles from the Airport. Their brochure says courtesy airport shuttle 06:00 am - midnight. I'll phone them to see if an earlier shuttle departure time can be requested. If they can not accommodate our request, than a cab will do. Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

[welovedis]

The Clarion may or may not have an earlier shuttle service, as you mentioned you should probably call & check to be sure. That hotel is right near the Thruway exit on Transit Road, 2 miles and maybe 5 mins to the airport, tops. Just depends on the lights!

When are you leaving for your trip? We are taking the 7:20 on SWA tomorrow morning, coming back on the 13th--I'd be happy to report back how long it took us to check-in, etc.. when we get back. However, since you are flying on a Sat and us on a Thurs it may be a whole different ball game!

 

[chasbos]

welovedis - you are 1 day ahead of us! We fly out at 7:15 on Friday morning.

Have you printed your boarding passes yet?

I will be up at 7:15 tomorrow morning doing mine!

Have wonderful trips everyone - I can not wait until I see some sun. This dull, dreary, rainy weather is starting to wear on me!

 

[welovedis]

chasbos-yeah, I was printing them off this morning at 7:20:01! Got A for all 3 of us, didn't expect any problems, but you never know!

We are parking across the street at the Buget/Airport Valet service for the 1st time. I've heard good things about it and with the coupon on their site, we're paying about $60 for what amounts to 9 days of parking. Plus they will clean off your car, start it & warm it up and pull it to the front (if you leave the key of course). Not too bad IMO, and cheaper than airport parking. I'll report back on the service when I return!

 

[Pedler]

We are looking at flying SW out of Albany or Buffalo (Both are about the same distance from us.) depending on the fare. Are there any inexpensive hotels near the airport that you can stay at the night before and park your car at during your trip? If not what is the best option for parking for 7 nights at the Buffalo airport?

Thanks in advance.

 

[welovedis]

We are looking at flying SW out of Albany or Buffalo (Both are about the same distance from us.) depending on the fare. Are there any inexpensive hotels near the airport that you can stay at the night before and park your car at during your trip? If not what is the best option for parking for 7 nights at the Buffalo airport?

From personal experience, the Comfort Suites on Dick Road (right around the corner from the airport) and the Homewood Suites on Dick Road are both nice, offer a decent AM breakfast and will let you keep your vehicle at their lot free of charge while you are away. I believe there is a time limit, but you'd have to check with each chain.

There was a recent thread about this, let me see if I can find it!

 

[welovedis]

Found the thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=940426&highlight=Buffalo+airport+comfort