To ask what's your favourite time to fly and be at airport (random fun question time)

[mumof2sarah]

Just that really. I've been having a relaxing morning watching the Heathrow airport show. I'm a nervous flyer but I love the airport part of it.

I love being there first thing in the morning where it's just all waking up and still a bit quiet. We check in as soon as the desk opens and then we find a nice table and seat near a window, get some bacon barms and a brew and we chill out. Kids have their airport activities. Me and the eldest DD have a little wander into the shops when they open (youngest DD doesn't like going in shops) and then DP does the same. We always go straight to the gate as soon as we're allowed and do the exact same there. Not going abroad this year and talking about it is making me want to lol x

Evening flights are my favourite. If I can book them at night I'll do it intentionally because it's just lovely. The DCs sleep as soon as the cabin pressure goes up (there must be a scientific reason for it; DS1 is 12 and since being a baby has always gone to sleep as soon as he's on the plane, I thought it was a fluke til DS2 did exactly the same).

I love how quiet airports are at night, too, everyone seems to talk in hushed voices and there's not so much rushing and pushing.

@WhooooAmI24601 I've never done a night flight but you've made me want to try one x

Early mornings. After a frenzy of late night packing, we have clothes laid out, bags in the hall and a cab booked. Bag drop, through security then make a base camp in a restaurant. Bloody Mary with breakfast , potter round the shops. We don't rush to the gate though, don't join boarding queues, no point, our seats will be waiting for us.

Just like you, early mornings. Queues haven't got too big yet, and I love that early morning the world is waking up vibe. Also, the toilets are still clean (!).
I love that feeling of getting through all the security and passport checks, and finding a cafe table, having breakfast and watching the planes take off. I also like buying random new perfume or dinky travel makeup sets at 7 am!

depends where im going

longhaul is better to fly at night

shorthaul i like to arrive at lunchtime- get food and checkin to hotel

Early mornings.

We did the best journey ever last summer. Stayed in an airport hotel that was just over the road. Up at 5am, washed, dressed, waked over the road. Did self check-in of bags at 0530. Back over road for 6am all you can eat breakfast. Sauntered casually back to Airport at 7am, straight through security to the gate and onto the plane by 0740.

Most relaxing start to a holiday ever

Sam as chippy apart from the last bit. I try and get on the plane early to avoid the battle for the overhead compartments m, or worse, it being stored in hold as there’s no room. Some people push the hand luggage allowances to the limit.

Whoooo, only just got to your post but just had to agree. Our flights home have always been in the evening and as soon as we are airborne Ds goes to sleep. I’ve even had to eat his inflight meal (including pudding) as he just won’t rouse It’s mad.

But to answer OP question.

I love morning outward bound flights.

Oh yes totally early mornings 😘. I prefer to leave the other end in the morning too so we’re not sat about waiting to go all day.

Early mornings.
I love waking up super early, all bundling into a taxi while it’s still dark, and then getting to the destination with most of the day still to go.
I like the quiteness of the airport at that time, enjoying a bacon roll, and I’m not afraid to admit that dh and I will have a drink to celebrate our holiday starting.

For our next holiday we have afternoon flights and it’s not going to be the same at all.

Anyone else found that the prices are just ridiculous for good flights at the moment? I nearly had to book a flight at 11.15pm for one of the holidays I was looking at just to make the cost feasible. Fine for dh and I, it would have been a nightmare for DS.

Used to love early morning flights but since Stansted got busier, only enjoy those from city airport.

Late evening is our favourite. All the business flyers have gone, the lounges and shops are empty and there never seems to be a rush. It's also exciting enough to tire out DS as soon as he's on the plane.

I dont care as long as its daytime and not too early. I dont want to be getting up at 3/4am for anything because i just wouldnt sleep beforehand.

Morning.Up and out the door then if not long haul get to destination at reasonable time

Long haul - overnight so we can sleep through.

Short haul - early morning so you get there by the afternoon and just chill and get something nice to eat.

That said, we flew long haul yesterday at 13.00 and it was a tough journey as my youngest doesn't like flying and was sick. I have been awake since 2.15 am, it's 4.40 am now and we really need to find some breakfast.

First thing, having the taxi come at 3 in the morning is part of the ritual, the children love it. Plus you don't feel like you're hanging around at home to set off.

Heathrow Terminal 4 Friday night 21.30 flight to Doha en route to Singapore. No-one around when I get there just over an hour before the flight. No-one queuing in security and enough time to wander to lounge (we fly a lot in economy to get access!) for a snack before boarding. It's only at the gate you realise just how busy the airport is still with a line snaking around the place.

Worst time. Any early morning flight, and that's between 2am and 6am for me. It's tough to stay awake to get on the plane.

Short haul is mostly booked on cost as it's going to be hell regardless!

I like an early to mid morning flight... but I live bleddy miles from an airport so I always stay in a hotel nearby the night before.
So peaceful day travelling to airport, check into hotel, go find nice restaurant for dinner, scope out the airport so I know how long it takes to get there/where I'm going in the morning etc. (Only fly about once every 8/10 years not frequent at all!)
Then relaxing evening in hotel having bath, dyeing hair, doing facepacks etc, wake up, wander to airport, check in nice and early, go through security really early and then find coffee shop/cafe for breakfast and read books until gate announced.

I fly rarely and alone. I hate rushing with a passion, I'd rather build in an extra day otherwise it's stressful and not fun. And my holiday is supposed to be fun. I love people watching in the airport and all that 'pissing about buying stuff you don't need ' in the shops!

I like to fly early-mid afternoon. It means no leaping out of bed in the dark, and plenty of time to get to the airport without worrying or getting caught up in rush hour.

Once I've checked in, I usually head to the lounge for a glass of fizz / wine - or coffee and breakfast if it's early - and impatiently wait for my flight. I fly a lot (both personal and on business) so the novelty of being in airports wore off a long time ago. If I'm travelling for work, I'm probably working right up until I step on the plane (that moment of no phones and no wifi can't come quickly enough sometimes) and if it's for pleasure, I just want to be settled in my seat (preferably with a glass of wine - there's a theme here!) and on our way.

My regular long haul flight leaves about 10am. I'm usually at the airport by 7, and in the lounge not long after (I fly bus class so get premium security and airline lounge etc).

I can then sit and watch my plane being prepped while I have breakfast as lounge is next to the gate.

When they call boarding, I saunter over whenever I please, no need to wait for my row, and set myself up in my seat, while the crew bring me a hot flannel and glass of champagne before take off.

The cost is well worth it

We're hopefully going away next year and have been talking about staying in the hotel near the flight terminal the night before (even though we only live 20 minutes drive with no traffic) so we can have tea at home then head there to check into hotel and snuggle down for the night. Get up and not have to get everything into cars and to the airport. Just relax that slight bit more. It seems daft but it feels like it would so be worth it

I like any time. I just love the buzz of airports.

We like to look around the shops, the new perfume, buying water and snacks and maybe having a pre flight drink.

We don’t board the plane quickly though as I only have my handbag so don’t see any point in rushing on the plane as we will spend enough time on there.
Rather sit in departures

Longer haul overnight usually.
Short haul afternoon, generally.

I like to stay overnight at the hotel and get an early morning flight. Very chilled out and then you get to your destination with the afternoon free. If it was long haul I'd prefer to go overnight.

Our local airport has a lot of 6am flights and if you're on one of them you inevitably bump into loads of people you know at 5am, when all you want to do is sip your coffee and catch up on social media. Even worse they then get on the same flight as you and it turns out you're sitting next to each other to Chicago or NY. Awks.