When do I get to the Airport.....

[emmalgin]

Am flying from small airport (Buffalo) to Orlando. I expect little crowds on a Sunday morning (non-holiday). Flying Southwest. How early should I arrive for 8:00 am flight? I think 7:15... Is that too early? Will be a Airport Hotel....

Know this probably is in the wrong area, but looking for input.....

Thanks

 

[sammi]

I think the earlier the better....especially with security being beefed up so much. Also, with Southwest there are no advanced seats. We usually get to Toronto for 3 hours before departure and we're thinking of flying from Buffalo next March via Southwest and I know DH would want to be there at least 2 hours if not earlier. We look at it this way....our day is all planned and the sooner we get checked in the more we can sit around the airport and relax and maybe have breakfast or lunch and just take it easy! Hope this helps emma!

 

[Peggy]

We just returned from a trip to Orlando and flew Southwest. We flew out of Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 3 and arrived at the airport about 2 1/2 hours before our flight which was more than enough time....2 hours would have given us plenty of time. But, on our return flight we arrived at the Orlando airport about 2 hours a twenty minutes before our flight and needed at least 3 hours. We were very rushed. It took about 1 hour and 20 minutes to check our bags. We went straight to the gate and they were already handing out boarding passes and we were in the low 70's which was the third group to board. We were fortunate to get 4 seats close together. They had overbooked the flight and was offering some good incentives to give up your seat...we declined...but was tempted. Keep in mind though that this was spring break and I think all airlines were pretty booked on Sunday from Orlando.

 

[hercamore]

We flew on 6 flights last week.

Northwest says 90 minutes earlly for domestic flights.

Remember most planes board 30 minutes before departure and those big momma planes board 45 min. early.


We also left from a small town airport, and they had the longest security check!

 

[safetymom]

That is cutting it way too close. Remember they board 1/2 hr. before departure. Also I have been in a long line early in the morning at that airport. I feel it is better to allow a little extra time and be sitting past security than trying to get through the line.

 

[Tess]

just changed check-in times on its website. Here's what Delta says:

Airport Check-In

What is the minimum gate check-in time for domestic flights?

If you have a reservation for travel within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), you must check in at least 1 hour (excluding Delta Shuttle) before scheduled departure and be at the gate at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure or your seat may be released and reassigned.

I was a bit surprised at the minimal amount of time pre-flight, but hey--works for me! Last summer we arrived two hours early and our luggage was sent on the flight before the one we were taking! The luggage was sitting in Orlando at the luggage carousel for over 1.5 hours before our arrival--talk about lucky! (Of course, checking in one hour before means you can't arrive at the airport 45 minutes before and expect to be seated. Also, you do have to allow for a crowd--in the event there is one.)

We will also be flying from a small airport and one hour will be MORE than adequate for check-in and security there. Our first leg is a puddle hopper to CVG and since the luggage will (she says with fingers crossed and high hopes) be transferred to the other flight, we won't have the security concerns there. It's the return from MCO that causes me a bit of consternation--just can't imagine that 1 hour will be sufficient there! Guess we'll wait and see what the crowds are like when we get there.

 

[donmil723]

With SW, you will want to check in when they begin giving out boarding passes usually one hour before departure. However, people start lining up to check in earlier than that. If it is important to you, to find several seats together, then I would arrive more than one hour prior. Check SW's website and see what they recommend for the airports you are using.

We just got back from WDW and we flew SW from Kansas City, another small airport. Left on Monday 4/8 and arrived at airport 2 hours before flight departed even though on SW's website it recommended 1 1/2 hour arrival prior to flight time. Curbside check in was a breeze as was going through security. I must commend the security in Kansas City. I thought they were doing a very thorough and efficient job and I felt very secure.

When we left for home yesterday I had it in my mind that we needed to leave WDW at 2:30 for a 4:10 flight when I really had intended to be at MCO at 2:30 because SW also recommended arriving 1 1/2 hours before departure in Orlando. I don't know where my mind was--maybe not wanting to leave??????? Anyway we pulled into the rental car garage at 3:00 p.m. Checked our bags at curbside with no line. Inside at counter, there was a long line. Went through security (I was even wanded.) and checked in at SW gate by 3:25. Of course, our boarding passes were #88 and #89 but we just went and sat in line for the third boarding group so we didn't have any problems finding two seats together.

I wouldn't recommend cutting it that close though. When I finally realized what I had done on the drive to the airport I started getting a little antsy. I really feel that following your airline's recommendation is sufficient. If SW still recommends arriving 1 1/2 hours at both of these airports when we go in May, that is what I will do--providing I don't lose my mind again! LOL.

 

[sweetheart2576]

I am flying out of Buffalo also. When i booked they told me to get there 1 1/2 hours before my scheduled flight. I think 45 minutes is cutting it too close. I wouldnt want to take the chance.

 

[sunnyshine]

my daughter just flew out of buffalo last week and 45 minutes with checking luggage is not enough. She flew Delta and only needed 20 minutes But she did not have any bags to check as we took them with us when we drove down so she went right to security chekpoint. I would give yourself at least an hour maybe even more just to be on the safe side. And hey if it goes quick you can always enjoy one of those $3.75 cups of coffee!!!!