Flight help please!!

[Newyear2023]

My flight is at 21:20, gate closes 20:50, I've checked in online and i only have hand luggage. What time should I get to the airport? Short haul flight between two places in the UK. Thanks, I find this stuff difficult for various reasons.

I like a drink so 1.5-2 hours for me, even internally. Minimum 1 hour but as security can be shocking, still 1.5 hours.

Depends on the airport but I’d probably do about 90mins, maybe 2hours so I can relax

Between 1900 and 1930 soluble be good. (1hr 20-1hour 50)

In case there are queues at security, 90mins to 2hrs before. Once you’re through you can relax

Depends on the airport, is it a small regional airport or Heathrow?

give yourself at least 60-90mins to get through security

Depends on which airport.
My local one, about 8 pm.
A normal size airport? More like 7.30.
London? 7 ish.

Check the departure board - how many flights going at the same item? Give you an indication of how busy they will be

Depends - if departing from Heathrow or Gatwick I’d always leave 2 hours. A smaller regional airport like Bristol 90 mins before take off should be fine. But I’d rather always be early, to account for delays in travelling to the airport

What airline is it? Are you absolutely certain that the gate closes 30 minutes before departure? That’s typically when they start boarding not finish- they usually let you drop checked luggage up until 45 minutes before short haul (60 minutes before long haul) so it would make no sense to be at final call only 15 minutes later.

I’d personally aim to arrive at 8 but if you prefer to be relaxed, have a drink first, browse the shops etc. then you can happily go earlier.

And that’s for Heathrow or Gatwick. I’ve never even come close to missing a flight!