Airport Essentials: What To Bring And Why

Airports can be busy and confusing places, especially for first-time travellers. When travelling, it is important to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare—ideally, two to three hours before your departure time. Before leaving the house, make sure you have your passport, wallet, and either your plane tickets or confirmation details. At the airport, you will need to check in at the airline desk, where you will receive a boarding pass. You will then need to pass through security, where your bags will be scanned for dangerous goods and you will walk through a metal detector. Once you are through security, you can relax in the main terminal area until your departure gate is announced.

Check-in and luggage drop

Checking in and dropping off your luggage is a crucial part of the airport experience. The process can vary depending on the airport and airline, but here is some general guidance to help you navigate it.

Firstly, it is essential to arrive at the airport with ample time for check-in and luggage drop. For domestic travel, it is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before departure, and for international travel, 3 hours is often advised. Check with your specific airline for their requirements, as some may request that you check in 90 minutes before departure.

You can choose to check in online, via an app, or at a self-service kiosk, which can save time. These options are usually available 24 hours before your flight and up to 45 minutes (or 90 minutes for international flights) before departure. Online check-in allows you to select your seat and get your boarding pass in advance, streamlining the process.

If you have luggage to check in, you will need to go to the designated counter or kiosk. Most airlines require you to be at the airport a certain amount of time before departure if you have luggage to check. For instance, within the US, this is typically 45 minutes, and for international flights, it is often 60 minutes. Your bag will be tagged with a sticker for identification and then screened for security. Make sure your luggage complies with the size, weight, and content restrictions.

After checking in your luggage, you will proceed through airport security. You will need to present your boarding pass and pass through a metal detector. Your hand luggage will be X-rayed, and you may be asked to remove certain items, like electronic devices, for separate screening.

Some airports offer additional services to make the process smoother. For example, Frankfurt Airport has the Fast Bag Drop, where you can independently check in and drop off your baggage at kiosks and bag drop machines. They also offer biometric facial recognition, which allows for quicker boarding pass checkpoints.

Security screening

Preparation:

Before arriving at the airport, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the security measures and prohibited items. The MyTSA app is a useful tool that provides information on allowed and prohibited items, real-time updates on security wait times, and the locations of TSA PreCheck lanes. Additionally, checking in online and being aware of the general time recommendations for arrival at the airport—2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights—can help minimise potential delays.

Identification:

Adult passengers aged 18 and above must present valid identification at the airport checkpoint. Accepted forms of ID include a driver's license, U.S. passport, DHS trusted traveller cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), and U.S. Department of Defense ID. Beginning May 7, 2025, it is important to ensure that your ID complies with REAL ID requirements for flying within the U.S.

Screening Process:

As you approach the security checkpoint, remove items such as change, keys, jewellery, and snacks from your pockets and place them into your carry-on bag or the provided plastic bins. If you have body piercings, consider removing them beforehand to avoid a pat-down screening. Passengers are also required to remove their shoes and large jackets before proceeding through the metal detector or millimeter wave advanced imaging technology. It is important to note that individuals who cannot or choose not to remove light outer garments or bulky clothing may be subject to additional screening.

Carry-on Items:

To streamline the screening process, separate food items and place them in a clear plastic bag inside your carry-on. Liquids, gels, and aerosols must adhere to the designated guidelines and be placed in separate bins for screening. Laptops should be removed from their cases unless they meet specific criteria, such as being in a designated laptop-only section without any additional zips, straps, or pockets.

Additional Screening:

In certain cases, you may be selected for additional screening. It is important to comply with the requests of the security officers politely and immediately. If you have any metal objects on or within your body that cannot be removed, such as piercings or surgical implants, inform the security personnel beforehand.

Boarding pass

A boarding pass is a document that gives a passenger permission to board the plane. It includes the legal name of the passenger and flight information such as the airline name, departure gate information, departure and arrival cities, flight numbers, departure time, boarding time, boarding group number (when applicable) and seat assignment (when applicable). There will also be a barcode (paper boarding pass) or QR code (mobile boarding pass) for scanning at the security checkpoint and when you board the plane.

You can obtain your boarding pass at the airport via the check-in counter or self-service kiosks, or you can download a mobile boarding pass to your phone ahead of time. If you are checking in at the airport, you may print your boarding pass from a self-service kiosk near check-in, or an airline representative can print one for you at the check-in counter. If you check in online prior to your flight, your boarding pass may be emailed to you for printing at home. You can also request a mobile boarding pass, a link for which will be emailed or texted to you.

Some international flights will allow you to check in online, but you may have to visit the check-in counter to receive your boarding pass so they can verify your passport. If you are travelling internationally, a good rule is to arrive at the airport three hours prior to your flight. For domestic flights, two hours is usually enough time to check in and get through security to your gate.

When going through security, have your ID/passport and boarding pass ready to present to security agents. Make sure that your carry-on luggage meets all airport and security guidelines.

Identification

Before Arriving at the Airport

Prior to your arrival at the airport, it is essential to double-check that you have a valid form of identification. This could be your passport, driver's license, or other acceptable forms of ID, such as a state-issued photo ID card. For international travel, a passport is typically required, so ensure it is up to date and valid for your destination country. Keep this document easily accessible throughout your journey, as you will need to present it at various checkpoints.

Checking In

The check-in process is where you confirm your presence at the airport and obtain your boarding pass. Depending on the airline and airport, you may check in at a designated counter or through self-service kiosks. Present your ticket and valid ID during this process. For most airports, checking in at the counter is not mandatory if you have no luggage to check in, but it can be reassuring to do so. If you opt for online check-in, you can usually download or print your boarding pass, which serves as a form of identification throughout your journey.

Security Screening

The security screening area is where you and your belongings will be scanned for prohibited items. This is also where you will need to present your boarding pass and ID for verification. Ensure you have these documents readily available to facilitate a smooth process. Keep in mind that security personnel may ask additional questions or request to inspect your luggage further.

Boarding

Once you reach your departure gate, you will need to present your boarding pass and, in some cases, your ID again to confirm your identity before boarding the aircraft. Keep these documents close at hand to expedite the boarding process.

Special Considerations

It is recommended to arrive at the airport with ample time, especially if you are unfamiliar with the airport layout or have specific identification requirements. For example, individuals without acceptable identification are advised to arrive at least three hours before their flight to allow for additional checks and verification. Additionally, consider any specific requirements for international travel, as clearing immigration and customs can extend your overall time at the airport.

Time to arrive at the airport

The time you should arrive at the airport depends on several factors. Firstly, if you are checking luggage, you will need to arrive earlier than if you are not. Secondly, the airport you are flying out of may require additional security screening, so each additional line you have to stand in means arriving earlier. Thirdly, the general recommendation is to arrive two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. However, if you are travelling with just a carry-on and have TSA PreCheck, you may be able to arrive in less than the recommended time, especially if you are departing from a small airport. On the other hand, if you are checking bags at a busy airport and want to have plenty of buffer time, you may prefer to arrive earlier than the recommended time.

Additionally, if you are using a battery-powered wheelchair, the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends arriving at least an extra hour before standard check-in times. It is also important to request wheelchair assistance in advance or get a companion pass when you book your flight.

If you are unfamiliar with the airport, it is a good idea to add some extra time to account for the unknowns. For example, if you are driving to the airport, you may need to park and then take a shuttle bus from the parking lot to the terminal.

Finally, it is important to remember that there is no single rule for when to arrive at the airport, as it depends on the individual traveller and their specific needs and comfort level. However, by considering the above factors, you can ensure that you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Frequently asked questions