Arriving Early: Navigating Ideal Airport Arrival Times

Getting to the airport early is important, especially if you have a child travelling alone. The general guidance is to arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before a flight. For domestic flights, the recommendation is to arrive two hours before your scheduled departure time. For international flights, the check-in and security process can be more time-consuming, so it's wise to arrive three hours before your scheduled departure time.

How early to arrive for a domestic flight

It is recommended that you arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled departure time for a domestic flight. This allows you to check in for your flight, which you must do at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. You are also required to be at the gate and ready to board 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

However, there are several factors that can impact how early you should arrive at the airport. For example, if you are travelling with a child who is navigating flying solo, you will need to fill out extra paperwork at check-in, so it is a good idea to arrive earlier than usual. If you are travelling with checked luggage, you will also need to allow extra time to check in your bags.

If you have TSA PreCheck, are only travelling with a carry-on, and are departing from a small airport, you may find that you can arrive at the airport less than two hours before your scheduled departure time.

Ultimately, it is the airline that decides how long before your flight you can check in, check bags, and board at the gate. Most U.S. airlines, including United, American, and Delta, will cut off check-in for domestic flights between 30 and 45 minutes before departure. Checking in online beforehand and only bringing a carry-on will allow you to arrive later and head straight to security.

How early to arrive for an international flight

There are several factors that determine how early you should arrive at the airport for your flight. These include whether you are travelling domestically or internationally, whether you are travelling with children, whether you are checking in luggage, what airport you are flying from, and what day of the week it is.

The general recommendation is to arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled departure time for a domestic flight. For an international flight, it is recommended that you arrive three hours before your scheduled departure time. This is because the check-in and security process can be more time-consuming for international flights, and some airlines may not allow you to check in online. International check-in counters are often busy and slow-moving, as travellers tend to fly with several bags and ID verification can be lengthy.

However, some sources suggest that two hours is sufficient for an international flight, especially if you already have your boarding pass and are only travelling with carry-on luggage. It is also worth checking with your airline, as different airlines may have different recommendations. For example, ANA Airlines at Tokyo Narita suggests passengers arrive two hours before their international flight.

Check-in times

If you are travelling internationally, it is recommended to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure time. This is because the check-in and security process for international flights can be more time-consuming, with added security measures and often slower-moving check-in counters due to multiple bags and lengthier ID verification.

Some airlines may not offer online check-in for every flight, so you will need to allow extra time to stand in line at the check-in counter. If you are travelling with an unaccompanied minor, you will also need to arrive earlier as you will have to fill out extra paperwork at check-in.

Security processes

If you are travelling with a child who is navigating flying solo, it is a good idea to arrive even earlier than what is typically recommended. Most airlines have unaccompanied minor services for children between the ages of 5 and 14, which need to be booked at least 48 hours in advance. As you will have to fill out extra paperwork at check-in, it is advisable to allow extra time.

For domestic flights, the general recommendation is to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of departure. However, this does not account for certain factors that may impact your travel day. For example, if you are travelling with checked luggage, you will need to allow extra time for this. Additionally, some airports may have longer security lines or require additional time for certain security measures.

It is important to note that some airlines may not allow you to check in online for every flight, so you will need to stand in line at the check-in counter. Therefore, it is always a good idea to err on the side of caution and arrive at the airport earlier rather than later to allow for any potential delays or unforeseen circumstances.

Travelling with children

When travelling with children, it's important to give yourself plenty of time to get through the airport. The general guidance is to arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before a flight. However, if you are travelling with an unaccompanied minor, you will need to arrive even earlier as you will have to fill out extra paperwork at check-in. These services usually need to be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

When travelling with children, it's a good idea to allow extra time for check-in and security. Many airlines recommend getting to the airport three hours before your scheduled departure time for an international flight. This will help to account for the added security measures that are required. Some airlines may not allow you to check in online for every flight, so you'll need to stand in line at the check-in counter.

If you're travelling with young children, it's also a good idea to allow extra time for things like changing nappies, feeding, and getting them settled before the flight. It can be helpful to bring along some familiar toys or books to keep them entertained while you're waiting.

It's also worth considering the time of day you are travelling. If you are travelling during peak times, such as early morning or evening, the airport may be busier and it may take longer to get through check-in and security. In this case, it's a good idea to allow a little extra time to avoid any stress.

Frequently asked questions