How long before your flight do you get to the airport? Dot. Want to sit around for ages

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CurvePuzzleheaded361@reddit

With no luggage to check in we usually arrive about 90 minutes before.

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Darkgreenbirdofprey@reddit

If I'm only hang luggage, 45 mins-1 hour before the flight. Been flying for decades. Never missed one.

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Well 2 flights. Got to get home. But These days absolutely. Can't afford more than 1 holiday a year! Maybe a cheeky stag do comes up but it's always the same deal. Lpool JL airport is ridiculously fast to get through. As is Leeds, for reference. Manchester less so.

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BillyJoeDubuluw@reddit

I know it’s hardly a barrel of laughs but you ultimately need to be there about two hours before the flight.

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Ralphisinthehouse@reddit

You really don't. The only time I would ever even get there close to two hours in advance is if I was checking an awful lot of luggage and I was going at a really busy time for security. But out of the last 10 or 15 transatlantic flights I've taken, I've got there 90 minutes beforehand, bag dropped in 10 to 15 minutes, through security in half an hour, and I've got another 30 minutes sitting at the gate.

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BillyJoeDubuluw@reddit

I fly at least a dozen times every year. Organisation is key for me. It’s not a lack of confidence for me, it’s a lack of patience for mile long queues. Each to their own ✌🏽

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Ralphisinthehouse@reddit

I'm not sure how getting there two hours or 90 minutes before changes the outcome of having a patient's for mile-long queues. They're not gonna change that much in that time window.

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BillyJoeDubuluw@reddit

I think we ultimately have different outlooks and ideas with this. We have used planes to “commute” as well as holiday… but we ultimately go at the journey differently… I’m not sure there’s any further explanation needed from either of us.

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audigex@reddit

It completely depends on the airport Flying out of CDG a couple of years ago we only had a few minutes to spare even arriving well over 3 hours before departure, ridiculous queues at the EasyJet check-in, long queues at security and exit customs This was before the French implemented their extra checks on UK travellers this year

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Obvious-Water569@reddit

I'm a 42 year old white man. I arrive at the airport no later than three business days before my flight. In all seriousness, 2-3 hours before.

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BitchMilk69@reddit

Depends if its long haul or not

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OkSun8521@reddit

Why?

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audigex@reddit

Not the parent commenter, but I'm more likely to risk a £50 Ryanair flight and cheap hotel in Amsterdam, vs a £5k trip to Australia

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AuroraDF@reddit

It really depends if I'm flying domestic (1 hour before), to Europe (1.5 —2 hours before) or international (2.5—3 hours before). It also depends on the chances of delays at the time I'm travelling.

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YetAnotherInterneter@reddit

Since there are no formal exit checks from the UK, there is no difference in time between domestic and international flights. Instead the time is dependent on how big the aircraft is. For long haul flights, typically a larger aircraft is used which will have a greater seating capacity. Therefore they start boarding earlier for long haul flight (typically 40-50 mins before departure) therefore you should arrive early to the airport (about 2.5-3 hours before) For short haul flights, boarding usually starts 20-30 mins before departure so you can get away with arriving to the airport around 1.5-2 hours before.

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audigex@reddit

The point for me is more that there's a pretty hefty difference in cost and inconvenience between missing a London to Edinburgh flight, vs a London to Sydney flight

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AuroraDF@reddit

Also it can depend in your airport. Getting to the long haul gates at Heathrow can take what seems like an hour. Whereas domestic is right there. I imagine Bristol is small though.

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audigex@reddit

Somewhere between 3 and 4, maybe even 5 hours, but that's not really deliberate My train to the airport is only every 2 hours, so I aim for 3 hours but if the trains don't line up then I'll tend to go for the earlier one rather than risking the later one - I'd prefer to sit around for an extra couple of hours watching a movie, vs run the risk of losing a £3k holiday If I lived closer I'd go for 3 hours for long/expensive flights with checked bags, maybe 2 hours for a Ryanair flight with no checked bag and online check-in. I've had times where even 3 hours has been tight with a checked bag

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PrivateFrank@reddit

For Bristol airport specifically they can't take off until after 6am so the airport will be quite busy as they want to queue up as many flights as possible and get them all in the air pretty sharpish. We cut it very very close once when we didn't arrive until about 1hr 30 before the flight. By the time we got to the terminal using the park and ride the check in desk was seconds away from closing for our flight and despite getting a fast track security pass (for like £6 each) we had to run to the gate. So get there earlier than that! From now on the risk of getting a bit bored is preferable to that stress.

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fickle_tartan@reddit

Bristol airport security is generally pretty speedy, longest it's ever taken me to get through there is maybe 20 minutes. Especially now they've got the good scanners, if people weren't so useless there'd barely even be a queue. I still aim to get there two hours before my flight though, between an extra hour sat around in departures or potentially missing a flight? I'll take the extra hour, plenty of seats and now you can bring in whatever liquids you want through security it's not like you have to pay airport prices for a drink.

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Kcufasu@reddit

ELI5 the last line?? Has the 100ml rule gone at some airports now???

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fickle_tartan@reddit

>Has the 100ml rule gone at some airports now??? Yep, quite a few actually, will probably be the majority within a few years. Obviously you have to consider what the rules are on the airport at the other side for when you come home, but if both sides are the same it's grand. You also don't have to fuck around removing certain things from bags with the new scanners, belts/bags/coats/anything in your pockets all go in one tray and then send it off. Like I said, if it wasn't for useless people arguing with staff about how they totally do have to take their laptop out (they don't) or debating whether a phone counts as something in their pocket (it does), there'd probably be barely any queue.

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Kcufasu@reddit

I'm always of the opinion that you're doing nothing more important than catching that flight that day (or for a while) so I take the time and get there super early especially if relying on public transport But I do tend to avoid these silly early flights for this reason as essentially you'll be staying up the night before whatever you do

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KT180x@reddit

I never check a bag and hate waiting around at the airport. I arrive 1 hr 15 before my flight at most, unless accidentally arriving early. Recently, due to unfortunate events, I arrived at stansted 55 mins before my flight and Oslo 40 mins before my flight. Still made both just fine. I don't recommend this method if you have a nervous disposition or like to have a pint at the airport.

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whatmichaelsays@reddit

90 mins before is my usual target.

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Legitimate_War_397@reddit

I flew from Bristol recently, 7am flight got there around 4:30 but breezed through bag check in and security (literally less than 20 minutes both combined) ended up sat in Burger King for an hour and a half. But luckily everyone on my flight decided also to be early and boarded really quickly. The captain ended up doing an announcement “that as we were all so eager” he’s got permission to take off early.

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Princes_Slayer@reddit

If I’m checking a bag I’m there 3 hours before. I’d rather be through and sitting waiting on the plane side that in a giant queue trying to get into security

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BLightyear67@reddit

I loathe airports so mimimise the time spent there. Normally get there about an hour before the flight departs. Some airports I would leave a bit longer

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magincourts@reddit

If I’m not checking bags, typically an hour before flight. If I’m checking in bags, 75 mins before flight

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Weak-Employer2805@reddit

Carry on only always for me. Usually 1h 15 - 1h 30 before. I’d be getting to BRS at 5:20am or so personally

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Informal-Intern-8672@reddit

2 hours before if it's Ryanair as their bag check ins only open 1.5hrs before takeoff, normally about 3 hours for other airlines.

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Left-Indication-2165@reddit

If it’s the main Amsterdam airport, best believe I’m there 6 hours before

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iamabigtree@reddit

We have always gotten there just over 2 hours before and that's never gone wrong. Quite often we've had to wait for check in to open.

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AccidentalFounderUK@reddit

I have worked at Burgas Airpot for 6 years and let me tell you the answer to your question - it depends 😄 At bulgarian airports you can go even 1 hour before the flight and still be on time. On the other hand if you fly from Frankfurt (the largest airport in Europe) you better be there 3, 3:30 hours before if you want to get on your flight.

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Fitzwilf@reddit

At that time of the morning getting to the terminal at 5am should be fine.

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frankbowles1962@reddit

It all depends on your capacity for risk. As someone who frequently flew up and down the UK for work I would arrive max 90 minutes before departure and never missed a flight. But then if I had I would have used the company credit card to book the next one, not my own money. At most regional airports you could probably manage an hour and still make the flight but for an important or expensive flight, 90 mins to 2 hours.

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idontlikemondays321@reddit

I’d like it to be 2 hours but my partner likes it to be 3 hours, so we compromise with 2 hours and 58 minutes

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Few_Regret9608@reddit

If the airport is very close , I will be 1 hour before. If it is more than 1 hour drive away I will aim to be usualy be 1.5h-2h early. the 1.5h-2h is for traffic and brakedown so I can sort the car and rearrange transport.

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Medical-Fox2471@reddit

3 but I am risk averse I’d rather sit in an airport than miss a flight It allows for something going wrong on the road

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Ralphisinthehouse@reddit

I usually get there about 90 minutes before flying, even for transatlantic. I got there 45 minutes before going to America from Manchester once, and that was a little bit of a squeaky bomb moment. But what I've learned is, once you've missed a couple of flights, it's not the end of the world, you'll get the next one. Obviously if you're going on two weeks' holiday to Tenerife, you wanna make your flight, but I've relaxed a lot about business flying these days.

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Diligent-Magazine781@reddit

Squeaky Bum? 😂😂😂

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Ralphisinthehouse@reddit

You never heard that phrase before, squeaky bum time? I think it was Alex Ferguson who said it. It's basically the really nerve-wracking period when everything's on the line.

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BaBaFiCo@reddit

60-90 minutes if I'm taking carry on.

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This_Palpitation6617@reddit

Last time I flew we was late because public transport and missed the check in by 1 minute. We had no hold bags so they let us through. This was after running from the train through Manchester airport because it was delayed while we sat on the train. I normally drive and aim to get there 3 hours before I fly just in case. Last thing I want is being stuck in traffic and miss my holiday b

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TomatoChomper7@reddit

Depends which airport. If it’s one local to me, about 2 hours. If it’s Heathrow or Gatwick, sometimes about 6 hours or so because I book a coach and leave several hours grace in case of anything going wrong.

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lankyman-2000@reddit

Depends on flight length and if I have the kids with me. Long haul with kids and cases three hours. Lads holiday to Spain about hour/ hour and a half before.

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Hugh_Jorgan2474@reddit

To be a true Brit you should arrive at 2am in order to get a dozen airport pints in before the flight.

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Sublime99@reddit

you say that, I flew this morning 06:40, so I was in the terminal after security for 05:15. Same time as a lot of Palace supporters were there making their way to Germany. Since the place hadn't even opened (since Heathrow is a bit more sleepy compared to Gatwick, the debauchery I've seen there and Stansted..) the queue for the pub was \*\*insane\*\* .Stretching almost back to the stairs and what not. And these are the fans going the day before, I dread to think how bad it'll be those who go tomorrow...

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K-Motorbike-12@reddit

As is the proper way. Hazzah!

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Sublime99@reddit

I did two hours and had a 06:40 this morning from Heathrow. worked fine. If anything, smaller airports usually mean you can arrive a little earlier since there's less pressure from other flights/managing all the luggage etc.

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ah5178@reddit

I'll keep an eye on the news in case the airport is experiencing a excess numbers of travellers (1st week of school holidays) or if they've rolled out some new technology that's full of bugs. I don't like Bristol, it's overcrowded and overheated, but I usually arrive around 90-120 minutes before take off.

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VieElle@reddit

I'd leave yours at 1am, sorry!

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FakeNordicAlien@reddit

Depends where I’m going, and how much if a disaster it would be to miss. I also try to allow for delays which are likely different at different times of day. Typically 2-3 hours, but it depends what the airline says. Some, like Emirates, specify 3 hours (at least they always have for me). £45 EasyJet to Spain? Annoying to miss, but not a disaster, usually. I can rebook and call the hotel to say I’ll be late. £600 Emirates to China? Absolute disaster, would have to forgo the whole trip unless I could get another flight without paying more. For a 6:30 am flight I’d be staying at an airport hotel the night before, and have done many times. Check in, use the pool if they’ve got one, have a nice dinner, sleep at a reasonable hour and get up as late as possible. Much better than stressing in the morning.

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Superb-Ad-8823@reddit

As long as there is time for a pint I am fine.

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BoomSatsuma@reddit

No luggage to check in? We’ll arrive about 90 minutes before departure. Luggage. Then we’ll give it two hours.

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BG3restart@reddit

Long haul 3 hours, short haul 2 hours. Just flew to Spain at the weekend and there were loads of people in the queue at Security who missed their flight because they hadn't allowed enough time at one of the busiest weekends of the year. I'd rather be sat in the departure lounge enjoying a glass of wine than panicking in the queue.

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Active_Driver_6043@reddit

If you’re familiar with the airport and have got fast track security, 2 hours before departure is more than enough. If not, 3 hours before. Factor in travel time (+10mins) on top of that.

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dennis3282@reddit

No way am I getting there 3 hours early on a 6.30am flight. Getting through security will take 5 mins at that time.

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DevilRenegade@reddit

From past experience there's usually between 6 - 8 flights departing Bristol between 6 & 7am most days, so budget for a 30 minute queue at security, or just pay an extra few quid for fast track. I had a flight to Malaga from Bristol at 6am last year and I was expecting it to be quiet when we arrived at 4am, instead it was like the last days of Rome. We nearly ran over about 5 groups of people walking up the nearby unlit dual carriageway with their suitcases in the dark at 4am.

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Active_Driver_6043@reddit

I mean I quite literally flew out of Birmingham this morning lol. I got to security around 5am and the queue was the longest I have seen in years. I always buy fast track hence why I mentioned it - less stress and saves so much time

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dennis3282@reddit

Birmingham is always like that for some reason. Guess you are right on your original post then, depends on how well you know the airport.

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Active_Driver_6043@reddit

Yea Birmingham is super hit or miss. One time I kid you not the security line went out into the car park! Took two hours to clear - no idea how I even caught the flight that time

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Imaginary_Pin_4196@reddit

I travel quite frequently for work so normally I arrive 3-4 hours before my flight for European flights. But that’s because I can do some extra work and get ahead. Sometimes waiting around is boring, but I quite like an airport vibe.

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IWoreOddSocksOnc3@reddit

At least 2 hours. I book assistance in the airport and they recommend arriving 2 hours in advance at minimum. You may be able to get away with 90 mins?

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Ricky_Martins_Vagina@reddit

I travel very regularly for work. I hate traveling, especially the airport element of it. When my wife used to come and see me off, I'd allow double the journey time for traffic, and aim to get there 2-3hrs ahead of departure so that we can take our time, sit around and have a coffee / have dinner, and then I'd see her off on her train back home before I go back in and head thru security. Now we've got kids so I just go to the airport myself, aiming to get there as late as possible - often being the very last passenger to check in just before they close the counters (45-60mins before departure), then because I pick a late night flight I can usually breeze through security and go straight to the boarding gate. I like this strategy **but** it's high risk and leaves no room for traffic disruption.

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Cheeko-chi@reddit

I’d arrive around 04:30, plenty of time that way to get a few pints if this was my flight time.

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VioletDime@reddit

If it's one of the first flights out of Bristol and no checked luggage, then 2 hours, which includes 30 mins for parking. Anything from 11am onwards, more likely 3 hours, including parking. I'd rather be early and read a magazine and have food/drinks, than worry about missing a flight. I got a 'last call' once because l didn't realise the journey to the gate would take about 20 minutes. Never again. Stress levels through the roof!

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60percentsexpanther@reddit

Between 120 to 90mins is fine. There aren't too many gates and the furthest is 15min from security.l (of you're fit and walk at ordinary pace). I've had one wait of 20min at security there but it's typically 10 or less.

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PatserGrey@reddit

If with family and luggage, 2 hours. Solo with carry-on, about 40 mins.

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HighlightAmbitious84@reddit

2hrs beforehand. So you’ll be leaving at around 2:30am to ensure you’re parked up at the carpark & waiting for the shuttle to get you there comfortably for 4:30am! Enjoy your trip!

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Badlydrawnfox08@reddit

Ai/Google etc. will say 3 hours for international flights but I've never arrived that early and have always been okay. I usually aim to get to the airport 2 hours before my gate closes. Still usually end up waiting around for a bit, but I wouldn't risk aiming to arrive later than that - just helps to ensure that you have flex in case anything goes wrong along the way.

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cloudstrifeuk@reddit

Best I ever did was with hand luggage only to Barcelona from Gatwick. Parked the car, walked straight through security, gate flashed up after exiting duty free, walked straight there were they were letting people on the flight already. Didn't even have chance to stop for an £18 coffee.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

About 3 hours. 99% of the time you'll sail through with no issue and spend ages waiting. I don't fancy risking a holiday worth thousands to miss my flight if there's a problem or delay getting through.

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K-Motorbike-12@reddit

Personally I'm a 3 hours type of guy, but not because of the airport, because it feels every train I've ever taken has been delayed, cancelled, or my Uber fails to show etc. If I didn't have bad luck id have no luck.

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Mammoth_logfarm@reddit

Technically 12 hours before..I always get the earliest flight out and from LGW, so we get an airport hotel room for the night before. Drop bags off the night before, check in online. Literally get up and head to security. We still leave about 2 hours as we grab some breakfast and snacks for the plane etc.

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beccyboop95@reddit

Checking bags 2hrs minimum, not checking bags 1.5hrs minimum. Add an hour to each of these if I’m not familiar with the airport.

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DeadYen@reddit

Solo 2 hours family 3 hours

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the_tartanunicorn@reddit

usually aim to be at the airport 1.5 hours before flight time

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FruitKooky4022@reddit

Early morning flights are the worst because there’s basically no middle ground between “sitting there for 2 hours half asleep” and “one traffic delay away from disaster” 😭

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DECKTHEBALLZ@reddit

Depends if you have checked luggage or not.

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bradclark2001@reddit

If I’m checking bags in, 3 hours. If not, 2 hours

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Jills89@reddit

What a sad little life you lead

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tommycahil1995@reddit

It depends how important the flight is but usually go for 3 hours. I have had bad experiences where it took about 2 hours to get through everything so it's never worth the potential of missing your flight or just causing a lot of stress on the experience. Chilling for an hour and a half isn't so bad.

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StrangerThings1106@reddit

3 hours at most.

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Proper_North_5382@reddit

Depends who it is with and how busy they say the airport will be. Bristol is my local one and I've usually gone about 2 hours before. Security I've found was always really quick. You'll have to wait anyway for them to announce your gate.

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littlebagofcrazy@reddit

3-4 hours.

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thedudeisalwayshere@reddit

2-3 hours Longest I've been there is 8 hours and that was torture.

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Kamoebas@reddit

2 hours but sometimes you need more. I don't like leaving it later as security can be lengthy.

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supomice@reddit

Around 6am is a busy time for airports, it’s the first flights of the day. I’d get there at least for 4.30.

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Old_Man_Benny@reddit

I would plan to get to the airport at 4.30am

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