To want to arrive at the airport 2hrs before flight?

[scarletslass]

DP, DD(3), Mil and I are flying from Bristol airport soon, on a 6am flight. We live about an hour away. I think we need to get there the airport's recommended 2hours before the flight, DP thinks we need about an hour and a bit. I want to get there early to be able to dress DD (hoping she'll stay asleep in the car), get some breakfast and generally not be in a panic about delays, rushing etc. Who's right?

I always allow for 2 hours, just in case there are travel delays.

I am with you.

I have actually just been having the EXACT SAME argument with DP about us flying tomorrow :-(

I hate traveling to the airport with him because he cuts it fine.

I agree with you. Nothing worse than rushing around at the airport especially if anything holds u up.

YANBU. My DP's even worse, he fannies about in the airport while they're calling for us over the Tannoy.

Just over an hour is fine with such an early flight.

I usually fly from Bristol and it can sometimes be slow to get through security. I'd certainly leave the 2 hours just in case

Def leave the full two hours for an early morning flight. Few weeks ago we waited 40 min to drop bags at 6am. Then security! It’s a busy time for airports!

I always arrive at least two hours before a European flight, or three hours before for a long haul flightl. However, I normally arrive 4-5 hours before the flight, because I like to have some time to eat, shop and relax.

YANBU 2 hours is absolutely right these days.

I know so many people who ended up missing flights by cutting it too fine. All you need is some delay on the way there, and you miss your spot.

Definitively NOT BU, it's not worth the stress.

With a 3yo? Get there 2 hours before. Preferably 2.5 hours.

Do you have baggage to check in? Are you flying with someone like Ryanair who announce final boarding 30 minutes before the printed time?

I'm with you OP... it's called 'Gatwick Syndrome' in my family!! Love being early for flights, it takes the stress out of travelling.

A few years ago I would have said anything hour plus was OK but my experience with security now is that 2 hours is back to the minimum.

Yanbu. I’d rather be there and wait a bit than have to rush around or possibly miss the flight.

Yanbu - being later than that makes me really stressed! And if I’m transatlantic I like at least 3-4 hours of airport mooching!

Are you checking in luggage? If yes, then arriving just over an hour before assumes that you're going to stroll straight up to the bag drop desk with no-one in front of you and there will be no queue at security. They usually close the boarding gate 30 minutes before so you have absolutely no leeway if there is any delay in any part of the system. Wouldn't risk this with a 3 year old, so many potential issues. Just tell him to get his arse out of bed a bit earlier (not that I would have picked a 6 a.m. flight if there was any alternative).

Pre DC I would have said an hour and a bit and reckoned on dashing through.

With DC - 2 hours absolutely. It's amazing how fast it goes when you have to deal with wee trips, grumps, snack stops etc.

Where are you flying to?
Hour and a bit early is fine for domestic flights. Esp if you check in online and have no hold baggage.
But if it's a holiday abroad then that's crazy!
I'd book a travelodge for the night before, check the hold baggage in night before and then turning up with an hour to go is sort of ok. But allows no time for shopping!

Security can be unpredictable now so I think 2 hours is required and you can always just relax with a coffee and croissant if you get through really quickly

Last time we flew from Bristol massive problems with car park and cues everywhere - definitely leave 2 hrs

I would leave at least two hours due to queues at security!

At least if you're early you can sit with a coffee or wander round the shops. If you're late and miss your flight you're screwed!

We always allow at least 2 hours.

Bag drop, if you are doing that, can take half an hour or so, as can getting through security. Longer if there is a problem.

I then do like to have a coffee and a little browse of the shops in the departure lounge if time permits.

YANBU. I like getting there early and having time to relax before the flight. Going on holiday is stressful enough for me without cutting it fine at the airport.

I live 10 minutes from my nearest airport (and can easily get a bus, train, taxi or lift from a family member if one mode of transport is delayed), but I still aim to get there 2.5 hours before.

We always allow at least 2 hours for Europe and 3 hours for long haul. It's impossible to predict how long queues at security etc will be.

I would suggest the more relaxed approach

When travelling for work I cut it fine. Less than an hour before internationals. But I don’t have the kids with me, and I have no checked luggage - which means when we travel for holidays we end up with some tight near misses because my time clock doesn’t take into account the kids ...