What time do you arrive at the airport long haul flights ?

[crazymama79]

First time travelling on my own and I keep seeing that I have to arrive 3 hours before departure my flight is at 1:45pm Gatwick airport long haul flight travelling business class what time would you say it’s a safe time to arrive it’s saying my travel time to the airport from my home is between 1 hour and 15mins to 1 hour 45 mins ?

Because of pre-flight maths, I’d leave home at 9am, arrive at the airport at 10:15 and then spend the rest of the time wondering why I overdo it every time.. but I’d comfortably make the plane ;)

a normal person would probably be fine with arriving 90-120 mins before.

suggest to download a film, take yourself to do a few laps of the shops to get your exercise in before boarding, get your moneys worth in the biz class lounge, and happy travels!

I traveled long haul recently and realised that they board much sooner to get the additional people on board. So I would listen to the advice and do 3 hours.

I did 4 because that’s what time I could get there and it didn’t feel massively too long.

@AbzMozHahah this is what I’m afraid of I don’t want to spend ages in the airport 🤣🤣 and I know I will leave soo early and wonder why I did it

I booked my taxi for 9:45am pick up time do you think this is safe option ?

and lucky enough I get priority security and check in so hopefully it’s a smooth process on the day

I have always loved a bit of people watching at airports so ridiculously early. I would also leave at 9am.

I’d be aiming to arrive at the airport around 11am with the plan to have a proper lunch at 12/12.30pm before boarding.

@Notdanishsusanyes I realise this too I will listen to the advice as anything can happen also traffic or you might forget something I think the safer the better thank you

I always go three hours before. I live 8 minutes drive from the airport though so travel isn’t normally an issue. I go way too early then go to the lounge (free access on Amex).

Yes definitely, I think better safe than sorry. I usually feel happier taking the train vs taxis (as I’ve had the worse luck with them - doesn’t matter if black cab, private hire or uber)

if you’re biz class you will have lounge access? I found that taking a shower can putting on comfy clothes can use up some time and make you feel more ready to settle into your flight.

Me too! I genuinely love airports and would probably get brunch and a glass of buck’s fizz and enjoy a browse in the shops buying some extra holiday books I didn’t need because I’ve already got my Kindle and 12 paperbacks in my suitcase, and be somehow sucked into getting new sunglasses to add to the six pairs I already own. Then my DP and I would spend the rest of the time observing the other people who were milling around and inventing detailed and probably moderately offensive backstories for them.

aim for 3 hours if there's a possible range of 30minutes on journey time. also, flying business class you'll have access to the lounge so might as well take advantage of it!

I get to airport at least 3 hours before flight. I would rather waste time there than stressing about traffic etc .

Priority security just means a different long line.

I'm fine with cutting things close, but I have respect for long haul flights.

I'd aim for three hours and higher end of expected travel time, and I'd think about the extra time hidden in those three hours as my reserve for additional traffic problems or any other problems.

Which means 9-9:15 start.

Check when the baggage drop closes and boarding time, it might be earlier for long haul, because more complex loading with cargo and so on.

I’s leave myself 2 hours at airport. Three is excessive.

It’s usually far quicker.

Two hours is fine for an adults travelling alone, particularly given flying business.

2-3h

I like 4 hours usually. Check what time check in opens for your airline though. We recently flew Aer Lingus to Orlando and they didn’t open check in until 3 hours before. Felt like we didn’t have much time in departures once we got through check in and security.

I always think worse case is if you’re early you might just get a little bored.
Worst case of leaving late you miss your flight!

2 hours or 3 for USA.

Heathrow you’re lucky to find a seat I’m not getting there earlier than that. Having said that if you’re in business class you can go to the lounge

I hate airports generally so tens to keep my time at them to a safe minimum. Typically I check what the security arrangements are first and that determines my arrival time.

If it says 3 hours I’d aim for 3 hours and build in an extra buffer for travel.
i don’t mind sitting about in an airport lounge, doing a bit of shopping and having something to eat. What I do mind is being stressed about missing a flight when I could easily have left a bit earlier.
Although if we have an early flight we tend to stay at a hotel by the airport as our motorway to the airport is the dastardly M25 and no one wants to be at its mercy before flying!

I would get there 1.5-2hrs before departure. My partner likes to get there at 2-3hrs before departure. When we travel I’m always annoyed that he wants to leave our house so early, then we get to the airport and have all the stress of it, 3 kids in tow, luggage, queues, etc etc and I’m glad of the extra time he has allowed. 1.5hrs doesn’t allow any buffer for anything to go wrong. If you turn up and there’s long queues immediately you are going to be stressed for the entire process instead of just being able to accept them. I would therefore say 2.5 hours is the sweet spot. It also allows you to browse in the shops, buy some food etc without having to bolt the food down and rush more

You have a taxi and priority boarding, so should be fine.

I used to travel long haul a lot pre covid and I had a good routine. One trip, the stars just didn't align though!
-The train stopped en-route so I had to find a taxi
-We hit roadworks so were stuck for ages
-At the baggage check, they decided to put a dummy bomb shape in my bag to check that the person reviewing the X-rays was doing their job! The bag went back and forth through the scanner whilst I'm standing there clock watching
-I was then stopped for a swab on my bags for either drugs or bomb making residue!
-I could hear over the PA that my flight was boarding, so I started running. It felt like miles to my gate and I arrived in sweaty mess, only to see a massive long queue of people still waiting to board.

I fly longish haul every 6 weeks for work (UK to US, alternating between East and West Coast), I always arrive 3 hours before my flight. The potential stress of rushing isn't worth it.