Planning Your Airport Departure: What Time Should You Leave?

The time you need to leave for the airport depends on a variety of factors, including the airport, the time of day, whether you have TSA PreCheck, and whether you're flying domestically or internationally. Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours before your domestic flight and three hours before international flights. However, if you're travelling with children, you may want to give yourself three to four hours before an international flight to allow ample time for bathroom breaks, snacks, and finding that one beloved toy in your carry-on. If you're an anxious traveller, it's better to give yourself a buffer and arrive at the airport two hours before your flight.

Domestic vs. international flights

When deciding how early to leave for the airport, it's important to consider the type of flight: domestic or international. Here are some detailed instructions and recommendations for both scenarios:

Domestic Flights:

Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours before your domestic flight's scheduled departure time. This allows sufficient time for parking, shuttle transportation, check-in, and security procedures. If you've checked in online and are travelling through a less busy airport, you might consider reducing this time by 30 minutes. However, for massive air hubs like Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, even on off-peak days, it can take up to 45 minutes to navigate across the airport. Therefore, it is advisable to add an extra 30 minutes to your arrival time.

Additionally, consider the time of year and day of the week you're travelling. Airports tend to be busier during holiday seasons like Thanksgiving, and on weekends. For such occasions, it is wise to add an extra hour to your arrival time. If you're flying early in the morning, check the opening hours of security and check-in facilities to ensure you don't arrive before they open.

International Flights:

For international flights, most airlines suggest arriving at the airport three hours before departure. This is especially true for return trips to countries like the United States, where customs pre-screening and agriculture checks can result in additional security checkpoints. Security and customs procedures cannot be rushed, and there is no guarantee of expedited processing even if you're cutting it close to departure time.

Furthermore, when departing from foreign countries, you may not have access to online check-in or mobile boarding passes as commonly found in the States. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the recommendations of your airline and the airport you're departing from. Some smaller airports may only require a two-hour arrival buffer, and lingering for too long might be inconvenient due to limited facilities.

General Tips:

Regardless of the type of flight, here are some additional considerations to keep in mind:

• Always check the requirements and recommendations of your specific airline and airport. Baggage check-in deadlines, check-in requirements, gate arrival requirements, and boarding times can vary.
• Account for travel time to the airport. Use tools like Google Maps to monitor traffic conditions and plan your route accordingly.
• Dress appropriately for security checks. Avoid metal belts, excessive jewellery, and bulky shoes. Keep your laptop and electronics easily accessible.
• If you're checking luggage, be mindful of the cut-off times. For domestic flights, this is usually about 45 minutes before departure, and for international flights, it can be up to an hour.
• If you have special memberships or passes, such as TSA PreCheck or Clear, you may be able to reduce your arrival time, as they expedite certain processes.

In conclusion, while the general guidelines suggest arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights, it is important to consider all relevant factors, including airport size, time of travel, luggage check-in, and security procedures.

Travelling with luggage

When travelling with luggage, it's important to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and check in your bags. The time you need to arrive at the airport will depend on several factors, including the size of the airport, the number of passengers, and whether you have checked bags or just carry-on luggage.

As a general rule, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. For checked bags, most airports will not accept bags more than 6 hours before the scheduled departure time. It's also important to remember that you must be checked in at least 30 minutes before your flight and be at the gate ready to board 15 minutes before departure.

If you're travelling with luggage, it's a good idea to allow for some extra time in case of any delays. This could include sitting on the tarmac waiting for a gate to open up, long lines at check-in or security, or even just the time it takes to walk from the car park to the terminal. If you're travelling during peak times, such as holidays or weekends, it's a good idea to give yourself even more time.

When connecting flights, it's important to consider the time it will take to deboard, exit the airport, and then navigate security and find your departure gate for the connecting flight. If you're travelling internationally, you may also need to go through customs and immigration, which can add more time. In some cases, you may even need to collect and re-check your luggage between flights, so be sure to allow for enough time to do so.

To avoid any last-minute delays, it's a good idea to download your airline's app or sign up for text message updates to stay informed of any travel delays or changes to your flight. By planning ahead and allowing for enough time, you can help ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience, even when travelling with luggage.

Travelling with children

Planning and Packing

It is recommended to arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. However, when travelling with children, it is advisable to add some extra time to your plans to avoid rushing. If you are flying during peak hours, on a weekend, or through a busy airport, it is better to leave too much time than too little.

Make sure to pack an emergency bag with essentials such as wet wipes, tissues, spare clothes, and a sealable plastic bag. If you are travelling with a baby, you can pre-order baby milk and collect it at a store in the terminal, or carry enough baby milk or baby food in your hand luggage for your entire journey.

Security

Some airports have dedicated Special Assistance and family lanes in security for families travelling with young children. These lanes give you extra time and help to get through security. If you are using a pushchair or have kids' toys, these will need to be scanned. It may be upsetting for children to be parted from their belongings, so it is helpful to prepare them in advance and reassure them that there is nothing to worry about.

Entertainment and Dining

To keep children entertained while waiting, some airports have kids' zones with fun, educational activities, books, magazines, colouring and activity packs. There are also family-friendly restaurants with kids' menus and high chairs. Most restaurants offer to warm up baby bottles.

Other Facilities

Some airports also provide family-friendly parking options, baby changing facilities, and nursing rooms.

Travelling with a group

When travelling with a group, it's important to remember that the time taken to complete pre-flight tasks increases significantly. Each additional person means more time spent waiting for everyone to check their bags and get through security. It's also likely that someone will need to get food or drinks, use the restroom, or make a last-minute purchase. All these five-minute stops can greatly increase the time spent at the terminal. Therefore, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before boarding if travelling with a large group.

If you are travelling with children, it is advisable to give yourself even more time. Waiting in line is not a favourite activity for kids, and going through security can be stressful or scary for them. By allocating two to three hours before a domestic flight and three to four hours before an international flight, you allow ample time for bathroom and snack breaks, as well as any other unexpected delays. The less stressed you are, the more enjoyable the trip will be for everyone, so arriving early is beneficial.

If you are a frequent flyer and know your way around the airport, or if you have TSA PreCheck, you may not need to arrive at the airport as early. TSA PreCheck can reduce your security wait time to as little as five minutes, and signing up for this service may be a good idea if you are a frequent traveller. However, it is still recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 60 to 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 90 minutes to two hours before international flights, even with TSA PreCheck.

When deciding what time to leave for the airport, it is always better to be safe than sorry. It is recommended to build in an extra 15 to 30 minutes as a safety buffer to ensure a stress-free journey, even if unexpected delays occur. You can use tools like Google Maps to plan your route and estimate travel time, taking into account current traffic conditions. By scheduling your ride in advance and checking public transit schedules, you can further reduce the risk of last-minute rushing and arrive at the airport with time to spare.

Peak times

If you're flying during peak times, it's recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. During peak travel times, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and spring break, it's best to be cautious and arrive up to three hours before a domestic flight and four hours before an international flight.

Additionally, if you're travelling with a group or with children, it's advisable to plan to get to the airport at least two hours before boarding, as it can take significantly longer to complete pre-flight tasks when travelling in a group or with young ones.

To ensure you arrive at the airport on time, it's recommended to use tools like Google Maps, which can help you find the best route and provide updates on the time of departure based on current traffic conditions.

Frequently asked questions