And that's why we try to get to the airport early. Just in case. Have you had issues that could have made you late for check in?

[cakeorwine]

Nice week away, Flight was in the afternoon - an hour from the town to the airport. Spent morning pottering around and we left the luggage in a locker.

Got to the lockers to retrieve them. Put the coins in but no joy. Tried again. No joy. Slight panic rising - but there was a phone number to contact. Had to Google the country code but after 3 attempts got through. Someone arrived in 30 minutes and fixed it.

Luckily - I am one of those people who leave plenty of time to get to the airport just in case something happens! So this didn't affect us - but if we had been cutting it, then I think there would have been more stress.

Anyone else had similar issues - and did it cause an issue and stress, or are you the kind of person who leaves plenty of time

Early every time. I would rather amble around and feel relaxed than be stressed and panicked. There is a lot at stake to lose when you have a long awaited holiday so my mindset is why jeopardise that for the sake of an extra hour in bed or at home

I'd rather be waiting at the airport than sitting in a traffic jam getting stressed. We were 4 hours early for a recent long haul flight. We sat and drank cocktails 🙂🍸

I recently got to the airport a bit late, went to the wrong terminal because I didn't check properly, and then missed the train to take me to the right terminal by about 30 seconds, so I had to wait twenty minutes for the next one. Luckily it was Kuala Lumpur, which has got to be one of the most efficient airports in the world, and after all that I still had an hour to kill once I got to the gate.

Get checked in.
Get through security.
Relax

I always like to get to the airport in plenty of time but if it's a package holiday you're relying on the bus from the company to pick you up. We were meant to be picked up to go to Faro airport but the bus was nearly half an hour late. When we got to security they were making everybody who had any sort of electronic device switch it on and boot up. This took absolutely ages and the people in front of us each had one that took forever to work. Even more annoying they were on a later flight than us. We finally got through and were immediately hustled on to the bus. We'd planned on eating at the airport so were starving by the time we got back.

I live 10 minutes from the airport, I always like to get there at least 1.30 before gate closes, which is actually loads of time as although it's an international airport it's tiny with just one terminal! Even when we once had to turn round twice for forgotten things we were there in plenty of time! Saying that, I rarely stress or panic about anything anyway, but never come close to missing a flight

My husband is a last minute type, while I am the allow-twice-as-much-time-as-you-think-you'll-need-and-30-minutes-extra type. 'And that is why we set off early' is one of my most-used phrases when going anywhere with him.

We always allow more time than needed. That means we can allow for traffic jams on the way to the airport, check the car into car parking, jump on the transfer bus direct to the terminal, check in the luggage, and go through security - all without stress and worry.
Once the other side of security - we can browse the shops, have a coffee, snack or people watch - and generally just chill!! 😎

Oh, apart from the time I went to Bangkok Airport 24 hours late, got confused because the flight was at 1am, should have obviously gone to the airport the day before the date of my flight🤦🏻‍♀️all OK, got put on standby and made the flight home!

See, I'm a bit of a gambler when it comes to this sort of thing. It's like a reckless edge that I can't step back from.

Never missed a flight, my laissez faire attitude generally feeds down to people I travel with, but, can see why this would be stressful for others! I don't know why I do it 🤷🏻‍♀️

For long haul I allow loads of time. A cheap European flight, less so. Because I know it wouldn’t be that awful if I missed it. I also usually just have hand luggage on those so nothing to check in. Although even then, I probably still allow more time than some people.

I don’t like stress and I don’t like rushing. I always have a kindle with me so I just grab a coffee and read if I have a longish wait.

My old boss was such a last minute type. Turned up too late to one flight and had a big argument at not being allowed to check in late - “but I’m first class, surely you can make an exception”.

I used to be of the mindset "flight at 12.30, will get to the airport at 11.30" but too old to run the length of an airport no so allow a couple of hours. No more than that otherwise I'd eat my bodyweight in sweeties...

Car wouldn't start! Fortunately managed to get hold of a friend who dropped everything o help us out, including looking after DDs car seats.

Luckily it was a small airport not somewhere like Heathrow

Who are these people who expect such plain sailing? Are they life's eternal optimists or are they just bereft of enough imagination to foresee potential problems?

Always try to get to the airport 3 hours before an international flight. Love relaxing in the shops, eating, mooching. It's all part of the holiday.

Youngest had an explosive poonami when we were waiting for the shuttle bus from the airport parking. Had to completely undress her, wet wipe 'bath' her, throw her clothes in the bin and get her dressed in her emergency hand luggage outfit. Then had to check in and run to the gate carrying eldest DD and buggy racing youngest. Ever since we've allowed at least 2 hours longer than we need.

Buying unnecessary toiletries.... 😆

I hate being really early.

Arrived at airport 3 hours early this week for flight home (not my choice, the hotel arranged transport time). Took all of 10 minutes to drop off baggage and go through security. Then we had 2 hours and 50 very boring minutes to kill in a tiny airport. It’s not so bad in Heathrow where there’s lots to do and even getting to your gate takes a while.

We often fly from Inverness airport. Until recently there wasn't even any food or drink to be had once you were through security. Thankfully that's changed but you can still see your plane coming in so it's nice in that kind of way. No long walks to any of the 3 gates either.

Never had any problems getting to airports (im a leave plenty of time type) but did once land at Gatwick only to realise it should have been Heathrow when I couldn't find my car in the car park....

Oh God... getting flashbacks of when I misread my email and read the time we landed back into the UK as the time our flight took off! Thankfully, only Spain and realised in time for mad dash to the airport, drop off hire car, check in, run to the gate and made it... with two small DC in tow and an essential reason not to miss the flight!

Never, ever again - still makes me sweat!

I’ve been stuck on the M1 looking longingly at the slip road to Luton airport (fortunately it was a day trip for a meeting).

DS1 likes to cut it fine and has gone to the wrong airport before now, resulting in an expensive taxi dash and a hurtle through security. He’s also forgotten to check in and only realised on the bus to the airport, and has had to try and do an entry visa on his phone from the departure airport (really don’t advise this - expensive mistake).

Depends who you're travelling with surely - a three hour wait air side with a couple of moaning, bored children isn't the same as sitting in the champagne lounge with your dh or bff!

I am a “get there as late as possible person”, I just don’t like airports at all so I try to time it so that we get through security and go straight to the gate. My family are used to being efficient in getting to the flight by now! I think some people like hanging around in airports, having a meal etc but I find them too noisy & busy and not relaxing at all.

I have never missed a flight yet though come close. I used to fly a lot with work so I got very good at planning transport time and leaving a very small contingency buffer for any delays!