To arrive at the airport at 5am for a 6:20am flight?

I'd get security fast track, just in case, it's usually max £8. And make sure there's no expected delays etc. If you're on the express then you're London & actually a cab/uber could be an idea. More than the train but less than a hotel. Have a great trip

I'm pretty sure there are coaches ti Stanstead through the night from London.

Nonsense..... I have to fly from Stansted at the same time as the OP at least once a month and always get in the terminal with no more than an hour until the flight is due to take off. I've never missed a flight.

No one can guarantee or guess how Stansted will look like, every day is different. If you can't afford taxi/Bolt/Uber/hotel, take the risk. You can always use Fast Track, which might help. Also, one tip-at the security area, go to the left, there's new system being tested, all liquids stay in the bag, queue there is usually very small as people don't know there's some other security check (it is kinda next door), you'll see it, it is on the left.

Last June I got dropped off at Manchester airport and 18 minutes later was in the departure lounge having checked in my bags and gone through security and passport control. Although I would usually aim for 2 hours, I'd be relatively relaxed at a 1 hr 20 min check in.

Get a nice hotel and make it the it the start of the holiday. That’s what I do. Rather than paying £70 for a shitty experience, pay £120 for a decent hotel and at least get a comfortable night, tasty food and drink at the bar, shuttle to the airport etc. At least you will get some enjoyment out of the money you spend.

We went through Gatwick last week in 15 mins, no queue

I haven’t ever missed a flight, I’ve had my name called on the tannoy but never actually missed one so I guess to me the risk seems small, but I completely understand your point of view and each to their own.

I would rather wait an extra hour on an airport than risk missing a flight.

I’ve gotten a flight leaving less time than that, I hate waiting at airports so personally I’d take the risk, but obviously it is a risk.

I just counted all the departures in my screenshots. 33 flights departing over a period of 65 minutes. That has to be as busy as Stansted ever gets. I'd be getting there even earlier than advised. The security line is going to be insane.

Which day of the week is it? Stansted is always busy and usually efficient but some mornings there are tons of commuter flights which check in and board quickly. Other days you might have lots of holiday flights full of families, luggage and queues. I’d probably risk it IF a last minute taxi was an option should the train be late.

Here are all the flights departing between 05:55 and 07:00 tomorrow morning.

You'd have to be mad to risk an hour and twenty minutes to catch a 6:20 flight. You'll be queueing with half the world

I’d not chance it as Stansted. Loads of early morning flights can make things a busy nightmare. And don’t underestimate travel time to the gate, especially if you have to take the shuttle train. I once left the main terminal as soon as my gate was announced, got on the first shuttle and walked straight to the gate (which happened to be at the other side of the terminal). It was closing by the time I got there. Ten more minutes and I would have missed my flight!

Gosh OP. Do you always live so close to the edge? I don't know whether to be impressed or clutch my pearls.

This is giving me anxiety just reading it. I don't know anything about that train or that airport but I wouldn't rely on any of it. Taxi or hotel required!

Stansted can be crazy busy at 6am - it's worth checking how many flights leave around the time of your time flight to gauge how busy. And when it is rammed they open up the fast track to anyone and everyone to try and clear the queues so that may not help you.

Can't you get an Uber there that morning - might be cheaper than a hotel?

No. You need to stay over. That's way too late to get to airport. We usually do 3 or 4 hrs before take off to allow for any issues. Maybe book the lounge so you can have some coffees before take off.

No, sorry, OP. I had a 6.30 flight from Stansted last week. No bags to check in, checked in online. I arrived at 4:30, and wasn’t through security til 5:30. Gate opened at 5:50 and by the time I walked to the gate it was boarding. 5am far too late I’m afraid.

I wouldn't, not at Stansted. I've waited ages in queues there and also some of the gates are miles away. There are some cheapo hotels nearby - for an extra £60 or so it's not worth the risk. Seriously, Stansted is huge and you may have to walk for miles. Any sort of delay at any stage and you'd be up the Swanney.

Get an airbnb nearby. Some do parking too.

Totally fine to do this! I did the same this week.

Last time I went through Stansted (last autumn) it took longer to get out of the train station than through security! How many trains will be arriving at that time of the morning? I would have thought 1 hour 20 minutes would be fine but is arriving very late the night before and crashing at the airport for a few hours an option?

If you don't want to pay for a hotel, just sleep in the airport.... I've had to do it before (not through choice tho) and it's been fine. And that was with three small children!

I flown from Stansted countless times and never known it to be slow. I'd say you'd be absolutely fine. But would worry about the train, I've never taken it so don't know how reliable it is.