What Time To Be At The Buffalo Airport For A SWA Flight - Please Advise!!

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

We are flying out of Buffalo on Wednesday morning and I'm not sure what time to be at the airport. I heard that you should alot some extra time for the "new" security measures taking place lately. We're staying over and taking a shuttle from the hotel across the street to the airport. Can someone give me a knowledgeable idea of when to be there?

Thanks
Andy

 

[TONNIE]

The buffalo airport is really not always busy but I would give myself a hour to a hour and a half to get through we got held up one year because of a pixie stick.

 

[Glencora]

I'll second that - an hour to an hour an a half should be fine on a weekday morning.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The desk personnel at your hotel should be able to give you accurate advice.

 

[gillep]

I have flown out of the buffalo airport a lot and even though it is never too busy for some reason the security seems to take a lot longer than most of the other similarly sized airports that I fly out of. That being said everything else there goes pretty fast as it isn't too big (ie getting to gate) so I agree that 1.5hours early max should be ore than enough time.

 

[KerriMc]

We flew out on Saturday morning at 10:15 am and we left our hotel at 8:15 arriving at the airport by 8:20 ... we could have waited at least another half hour as walked right up the counter, punched our number stuff in and then she bagged our luggage. Went to security ... took maybe 10 minutes for the guy to check our passports and boarding passes and to get through the scanner line ... we had an hour to wait until boarding. Unbelievable how easy it is there compared to Toronto!!! We are so programmed to be there soooo early ... it just isn't as necessary there. It is LOVELY!!!!!! So much less stress!!!

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

I fly out of BUF and I used to get there 2 hours early, but I got sick of sitting around being bored. I guess the question is what time is your flight? It actually does matter at BUF.

 

[Tara]

I fly out of BUF and I used to get there 2 hours early, but I got sick of sitting around being bored. I guess the question is what time is your flight? It actually does matter at BUF.

I haven't flown out of BUF, but I second this for small airports. My home airport is Albany and I find that I can make a flight in late morning or early afternoon quite easily even if I cut it close. But early morning flights, like those that leave from about 6:00am until 8:00am require at LEAST the full hour, if not a bit more. The lines to check luggage can get long, not to mention the security lines. (Man, do I ever miss the Clear registered traveler program!)

 

[elcodfish]

Your time of flight really does matter at Buffalo. I have never been at the airport later than 2 hours before my flight, but I also haven't waited less than an hour at my gate Morning, I would say anything before 9:30 I would give it at least 1.5 hours. There is also a kids fisher price play area for really small ones (5 and under or so) around gate 20 (I think). It's to your right after security and most of the way down.

Erica

 

[thumperjr9]

1.5 hours should be more than enough...keep in mind midweek is usually quieter.