Not to be at the airport 2 hours before my flight

What is even the point of that extra hour to yourself or extra hour in bed when so much can go wrong ? I ask this as a chronically late person who's entire family are exactly the same. Being late or delayed is stressful enough that it can knock years off your life.

Be early, be bored , is my motto in life after 50 years of valuing my own time over others.

I'm looking at my boarding pass from last week and it very clearly says gates close 40 minutes before the flight.

Weirdly, I find time goes very quickly at an airport.

I usually spend time doing stuff with my phone. Or do some people watching (though that’s quite often a bit depressing tbf !)

It all depends on what gate your flight is from. Some are really long walks from the seating areas. If you only have an under chair bag might be worth the risk of an hour before- if you do express security.

@amusedbush

..headed to the gate 40 minutes before it was due to close. The staff called out "Mr and Mrs Amusedbush??" as we walked up, like they'd been desperately waiting for us.

They locked the doors behind us, then proceeded to sit on the tarmac for 35 minutes

Not excusing any comments over the PA but.one explanation

It sounds like they were trying to get away very early, but to do that they needed doors closed to legitimately to declare to ATC that they were ready- that can sometimes mean your start up or runway slot can be moved up if things aren't too busy.

Sadly having done that in your case by the sounds of it ATC maybe couldn't improve on the original slot so you ended up sitting there until the clock ticked round.

I don’t think it’s a good idea.

As people have said, gates can close a long time before the flight.

And why would you? The peace of mind being there in plenty of time, as opposed to worrying and rushing, is surely worth setting off an hour earlier?

We always stick to the recommended times and check online on the day.

Sometimes we've whizzed through and be fine. Other times we've really cut it fine to get on board after getting through the airport.

One time, the queues at security etc were so big that we almost missed the flight and the planned breakfast never happened. We hadn't ordered food on the flight because we thought we'd have time to pick up sandwiches before hand and we were starving. We had to run to the boarding gate.

So you never know. The suggested times are there for a reason. If you get through quickly, you've got time to relax.. Why would'nt you?

I flew from Manchester airport last week, Terminal 1, a Ryanair flight. It was absolutely mobbed, really long queues at security, they searched every single item in my carry on, which took ages. So I wouldn't risk it tbh.

If you're parking at Bristol, whilst the parking is really close you need to allow 25 minutes to recover after seeing the price of it.

I have missed a flight once and it was awful. I had to pay more than twice the original ticket price and there was just nothing else I could do (as I had just packed up my flat in one city and handed in my key to move back to my hometown) - I could have cried and I remember the guilt and shame I felt handing my card over and paying the ticket price and thinking I will just have to try to never think of it again... and here I am telling everyone but its a cautionary tale :-D Don't deliberately risk it.

Bristol is really busy at this time of year, I always get fast track and leave plenty of time. Also with easyJet and Ryanair the gates are usually at the arsehole end of the airport so a good walk

An hour is cutting it too fine at Bristol, you might get lucky, but who knows . The queues for security can be long, and there is walking to do. If your gate is upstairs and then in the extension bit, you will need time (at least 5 Min) to get there.

If you're catching a flight departing from Bristol between about 530am and 730am it will be absolutely rammed there. There can be 35 flights taking off in am hour and for a small airport that's not insignificant.

Bristol is really small and fast - unless you have an early flight. Then it’s madness.

They also have the newer scanners where you can leave everything in your bag.

Yes bristol early schedule is mad busy most days

I do minimum 3 hours, 4 usually regardless whatever I am told

A PP mentions fast track queues often don't work because passengers for previous flights who have been delayed by slow processing are constantly moved in front of the "fast track" people to get them on the flight in time. This is also our experience. It stinks.

Use it often. Security can be horrific if you don’t have fast pass. Definitely wouldn’t leave it until an hour before to attempt it. 90 mins is usually fine.

Definitely 2 hrs. Why want to do this to yourself. As you mention you are not a frequent flyer.

And as others say - dont blame everyone else if for whatever reason you get delayed. The Easyjet series from years ago was very funny. Why anyone would agree to be filmed stating it wasnt their fault they missed the flight due to bringing the wrong passport, getting delayed on the motorway or claiming that Easyjet said they would hold the plane for you when you called the contact centre. Let alone the tears and shouting that the poor check in staff had to listen to. Paperwork needs to be done well before the flight goes and most people just think if they run to the gate then all will be OK and the paperwork will just be changed at the last moment.

Honestly, just dont make your life more difficult. Many many years ago I completely misjudged how long it would take to get to Gatwick via Victoria Station. They took my luggage at the station but said I had missed the connection time and it was very likely that the luggage wont make the flight. It didnt...however we did and got upgraded to Business Class. Never never again though. it was only because the flight was delayed and I think the chap felt sorry for me (and my Mum!)

What time is the flight. Bristol is very busy early morning and you’d need 2 hours. It’s often better later in the day. But like anything it depends!

This. There are too many variables outside of your control

Security, passport check queues and even check-in queues can be very long and slow, especially the check-in queues of the budget airlines as they 'economise' on staff to process people. You will at least avoid the baggage check-in line as you are taking cabin bag only. With budget airlines we have had horrible experiences of standing for a very long time in various queues, to such an extent that we won't use the relevant airlines any more. I would allow at least 2 hours and actually some budget airlines (no doubt cognisant of their own poor performance) are asking people to arrive earlier than 2 hours before.

I wouldn't do it. I thought I was going to miss my flight from Corfu back to the UK. Greek friends convinced me - it's a small airport, it's a European flight, just rock up a little bit before. I almost missed it. There were two insanely long queues one for cruise ship flights, one for non-cruises. I only made it because I popped to the front of the queue to ask someone directing people to the right desk if I'd be okay. He was so helpful and he pulled me from the queue to the front when it started to get more time critical. Save your anxiety and go early!

It isn't. Get there 2 hours earlier. There is always plenty to do before the flight.

DH and I flew from Glasgow to London last month with BA. We got to the airport and through security in plenty of time, had a look round duty free, then headed to the gate 40 minutes before it was due to close. The staff called out "Mr and Mrs Amusedbush??" as we walked up, like they'd been desperately waiting for us.

We were hurried to our seats while the captain made an announcement that had a definite air of "now that this pair of arseholes has decided to turn up, we can finally get going". They locked the doors behind us, then proceeded to sit on the tarmac for 35 minutes

We have flown a fair amount and never had that happen!