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When to be at airport for a domestic flight

11 replies

Sunandsummer · 28/05/2024 10:28

I’ve not flown within uk for absolutely ages. If I’ve checked in online with EasyJet, how long before the flight do I need to be at the airport? Getting confusing info when I google.
Thanks!

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ASighMadeOfStone · 28/05/2024 10:33

easyJet say 2 hours if domestic and hand luggage only.
If you’re travelling hand-luggage only with easyJet, you can check in online between 30 days and two hours before departure and print your own boarding pass to speed things up - leaving only airport security to get through. The airline advises arriving two hours before your flight for security checks

Bjorkdidit · 28/05/2024 10:36

Depends on the airport, as it's not really any quicker than any other flight.

Will you be parking a car? Will you have hold luggage? There's been mad security queues at some airports recently, taking at least 30-40 mins to get through.

If it's a small airport, I'd allow at least an hour from walking in the terminal, somewhere like Manchester, at least 1.5 to 2 like any other flight.

I once only got on a domestic flight out of Manchester because the gate was literally around the corner from security and they didn't start boarding until after the stated take off time because it took over an hour to get through security - my bag was selected for the random second check and this was taking ages.

If I'd had to walk to a distant gate, or they'd boarded on time, I'd have missed the flight.

Sunandsummer · 28/05/2024 10:38

Thanks, that’s longer than I thought so glad I checked!

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FoleyHuck · 28/05/2024 10:39

Depends on the airport, I fly domestic often, usually between Jersey and Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester or Southampton.

An hour is plenty in Jersey and Southampton, I'd aim for a minimum of 90 minutes for the London airports and Manchester but I have got through in an hour in the past.

Bjorkdidit · 28/05/2024 10:47

Sunandsummer · 28/05/2024 10:38

Thanks, that’s longer than I thought so glad I checked!

I suppose I should have clarified that I'm of the 'allow plenty of time to account for all possible delays' type and it sometimes has left me with an hour to kill airside, but equally I've often taken just about all the time I've had to park the car, get to the terminal, go through security, top up water and go to the toilet, and buy food/quick look in the shops if needed.

Works for me and if I genuinely know I'll get through quickly, I do leave it later. I go to the Isle of Man quite a lot, which is the smallest airport I've used, and there, arriving half an hour before take off time is more than enough.

ohtowinthelottery · 28/05/2024 10:49

If you're flying from Birmingham at peak time then you need to give yourself at least 3 hours. The queues outside for getting through Security have been horrendous with people missing flights!

Bjorkdidit · 28/05/2024 10:52

It's been the same at Leeds @ohtowinthelottery. Last time we were there, they'd cancelled the paid fast track and were pulling people out of the regular queue when it got to an hour before take off and putting them through the fast track lane, so hopefully no-one missed their flights.

Currently it's mainly security that's causing delays and there, you're in the queue with everyone else, whether your flight is domestic or long haul.

ohtowinthelottery · 28/05/2024 11:13

@Bjorkdidit They're doing building work at Birmingham Airport. Security is upstairs but the escalators are out of action so they are having to get everyone up in the lifts - which is obviously much slower. Plus everyone has to queue outside whilst waiting for the lift.
Can't believe I was actually glad to be flying from Manchester last month!

ScarletWitchM · 28/05/2024 11:17

For domestic flights I arrive an hour & half before

mitogoshi · 28/05/2024 12:21

Dd runs in 30 mins before departure but only has a handbag as going between work and home.

Sunandsummer · 28/05/2024 13:46

Thanks so much for all the info. I’ll go somewhere between the shortest and longest times suggested 🙏

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