The best way to avoid missing your flight is to get to the airport early enough to check in, go through security, and find your gate before your scheduled departure time. But how early is early enough?
I have flown all over the world and thanks to planning ahead and following some general guidelines, I have never missed a flight (so far).
A general rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport 2 hours early for domestic flights or 3 hours early for international flights. If you follow that guideline, you can almost always be confident that you’ll get to your gate on time.
However, depending on your situation and the time and location of your flight, sometimes it’s worth giving yourself a little extra time. On the other hand, for some trips, arriving 2 hours early just means you’ll have to sit at the airport for an hour and a half.
So, how early should you start? Actually to the airport? As with most things, the answer is “it depends.”
How early should you get to the airport for domestic flights?
It is always a good idea to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare! This will help you avoid any unnecessary stress and ensure that your trip goes smoothly. For domestic flights, the general rule is to arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time.
This gives you enough time to complete the check-in process, go through security, and get to your gate without feeling rushed. However, it’s important to note that there are a number of factors that can influence whether you need to arrive earlier than the standard 2-hour mark.
How early should you get to the airport for international flights?
For international flights, most airlines recommend that you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time. This extra time will help you avoid potential delays during check-in, security, and immigration. Additionally, international flights often have more stringent baggage and document requirements that can take longer to complete than domestic flights.
Arriving early for an international flight also gives you extra time in case of unexpected problems, such as long lines at security or traffic jams on the way to the airport. It’s better to have extra time to relax in the airport lounge or grab a snack than to rush and stress out trying to get to the gate on time.
Other factors to consider
While arriving 2-3 hours before your departure time is a general rule, it’s not a hard and fast rule. The amount of time you need to get through the airport depends on a number of factors.
Depending on where you’re flying to, when you’re flying, and whether you’re in the fast-track security program, you may have more or less freedom.
Boarding time vs. departure time
The time listed when you buy your airline ticket is almost always the departure time: when the plane actually takes off. When you’re calculating your earliest arrival time at the airport, boarding time is a more important time to consider.
Most flights usually start picking up passengers 30–50 minutes before scheduled departure, but this depends on the flight. Your boarding pass will usually list your boarding time, and that’s when you should try to be at the boarding gate.
It is also important to remember that gates usually close 15 minutes before departure. If you run through the airport to get to the gate at departure time, you are usually too late.
How much luggage do you have?
Checking in your bag is an additional step in your pre-flight routine. When you arrive at the airport, you will need to find the correct baggage area, wait in line, and make sure your bag is tagged and checked. This process can take some time and may involve waiting in line, especially during peak travel seasons.
On the other hand, if you are traveling with only carry-on luggage, your check-in process will be much faster. You can save time by checking in online before your flight without having to check any luggage. In this case, arriving 1-2 hours before your domestic flight is enough, depending on your personal preferences and the airport you are departing from.
Do you have TSA PreCheck?
If you have TSA Pre-Check, Ventilatedor another trusted traveler status, you’re in luck! These perks can really cut down on your time at the airport. They allow you to skip the usual lines for security, meaning you can get to the airport a little later without worrying about missing your flight.
Do you get priority check-in?
Most airlines offer priority check-in programs that allow you to skip baggage lines, use priority boarding lanes, and sometimes even go through dedicated fast-track security lines at airports. All of these can help you get through the airport much faster.
Many airlines offer priority check-in with business and first class tickets. Sometimes you can get priority boarding if you are a member of an airline (like American Airlines’ AAdvantage or Delta’s Sky Priority).
If you have priority, you don’t need to get to the airport early.
Are you flying during busy times?
Airports become significantly busier on weekends, holidays, and school holidays. During these peak travel times, everything from parking to getting your boarding pass can take longer.
Even the time of day you choose to fly can affect your airport experience; for example, airports are often busiest in the morning due to high volumes of business travelers.
If you are arriving during one of these busy times, I recommend arriving a little early to allow extra time to get to the gate.
Which airport do you fly from?
The airport you fly into can have a big impact on when you should arrive. For major international airports like JFK or LAX, which handle both domestic and international flights, there may be more crowds and longer lines at security.
On the other hand, smaller regional airports tend to move passengers faster because of less traffic.
Tips to simplify your airport experience
To make your journey through the airport as smooth as possible, start with strategic planning, from packing to parking. These tips can save you time traveling through the airport and make the process less stressful.
Check online
Checking in online is a no-brainer these days. By downloading the airline app, you can check in the day before your flight and receive a digital boarding pass without having to wait at the check-in counter.
It was great to walk into the terminal and go straight through security.
Fly with only carry-on luggage
Decide to go with just carry on luggage is a smart move if you want to avoid long lines. As long as you don’t have to check in your luggage, you can skip the check-in counter, as long as you’ve checked in online.
You’ll want to pack light, but do you really need five pairs of shoes for a weekend trip?
Plus, when you arrive, you won’t have to wait at baggage claim because you’ll be straight through without any checked luggage. Get on with your next adventure!
Be ready to go through security
Airport security checkpoints can be a bottleneck for travelers, but with a little preparation, you can easily get through them without much hassle.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with TSA regulations so you don’t accidentally pack any prohibited items into your carry-on bag. And don’t forget to have your electronics ready for easy access.
Be sure to empty your water bottle and pack small items like your wallet, keys, and phone into your carry-on bag beforehand to avoid getting stuck when emptying your bag into the trash. Lastly, I recommend wearing something that is easy to remove. travel shoes which you can quickly slide out for safety.
Sign up for TSA PreCheck or Clear
Are you a frequent flyer? If so, you’ll definitely want to consider enrolling in programs like TSA PreCheck or Clear.
TSA Pre-Check allows you to easily pass through security without having to remove your laptop or liquids, and you can even keep your jacket and shoes on. What a twist!
Ventilated is another option that’s only available at major airports. With Clear, airport security uses a fingerprint or iris scanner to identify you, and you can move through security faster. It’s a little more expensive than PreCheck, but it gets you to your gate in minutes instead of waiting in line for security.
By signing up for these fast-track security programs, you can skip the security check lines, meaning you don’t need to arrive early.
Plan your parking in advance
Finally, if you are driving to the airport, it is essential to plan your parking in advance. You don’t want to arrive at the airport and then panic when the parking lot is full. At most airports, you can reserve long-term parking in advance.
Better yet, you can use an app like Road to book parking at nearby hotels and take their shuttle to the terminal. It is often much cheaper than using the airport parking.
Also, consider using public transportation or a ride-sharing service to avoid parking hassles altogether, especially during peak traffic times when parking is scarce.
