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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

119 replies

scarletslass · 21/05/2018 20:37

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?

OP posts:
BloodyBosch · 21/05/2018 21:54

Leave extra time. You only need a puncture to ruin your day. I used to work in the industry and had a passenger who missed his flight due to being caught in traffic - his insurance declined to pay replacement flight as it was in their terms to allow enough travel time to the airport.

Buglife · 21/05/2018 21:59

I’d be at the airport 3 hours if I could persuade others to. I’m not happy until I’m sat looking at my gate with half an hour to spare until boarding. Luckily DH agrees with me these days (mainly because he wants to have some food and a pre flight pint before he boards a plane). I like airports anyway so hanging around in them is part of the holiday experience for me.

KatyaZamolodchikova · 21/05/2018 22:00

Ha! We always used to have this argument, until one year we went with DP’s Timings. We were rushed through security when they realised what flight we were on, had to dash to the gate, and were close to closing, they were about to call us. And that was aiming for an hour before, with only carry on luggage (and no kid, thank the Lord!)

Now when I say I want to get there for two hours before, he listens.

GinisLife · 21/05/2018 22:04

I was at Bristol airport at the beginning of March. There was upwards of a dozen flights supposed to be leaving between 6-7am. It was very busy - but then it was a Saturday and it was ski season. 2 hours minimum I'd have said.

KurriKurri · 21/05/2018 22:08

I hate rushing for planes - I always leave loads of time, you can never know what the queues for security are going to be like, much rather be sitting in the departure lounge with a coffe and my kindle for an hour than be legging it round a busy airport in a flap.

It's taken me four hours before now to check luggage in and go through security - long haul flight from Heathrow but the queues were unbelievable.

(Mind you I've never flown from Bristol, so no idea whether it is a busy airport or not, my local airport you could do it in less than 2 hours)

Katkincake · 21/05/2018 22:25

Last year we got to airport just over two hours before flight. Ended up running (carrying DS as we'd ditched pram at baggage check in) on to plane as massive delays at check in and security (where we'd even paid for fast track, so jumped most of the queues) meant it sucked up all our time. No time for duty free mooch in Manchester which I love!

Stand your ground

w12newmum · 21/05/2018 22:30

YANBU. Min 2 hours - 1 for bag drop, security, making way to gate and 1 for any unexpected hold ups / traffic. I can’t stand the stress of rushing

delilahbucket · 21/05/2018 22:31

Definitely two hours early, minimum. Security can be a tricky place to navigate these days. We were in there for an hour last summer because there was a suspicious scent on dp's backpack Hmm. They never did work out what it was, but were happy we weren't terrorists after he'd been strip searched Confused.

Neolara · 21/05/2018 22:35

If we'd only arrived at the airport an hour before our most recent (6am-ish) flights, we would have missed the planes.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/05/2018 22:38

“Just over an hour is fine with such an early flight.”
“I wouldn't dream of getting there 2 hours in advance for the first flight of the day!”

In many airports there are several very early flights. We usually fly from Manchester and their busiest period is from 4 am because there are so many early morning flights. In fact their slackest time is mid to late morning. Never underestimate how long it takes to go through security

“For some reason people think that 6am is a quiet flying time - it isn’t, it’s one of the busiest times of the day”

It’s the same in Manchester Quartz

Buglife · 21/05/2018 22:48

Early/first thing flights are definitely a busy time as everyone seems to arrive at 5am. At Stansted airport there must be a good 30 flights between 6am-7am and everyone is arriving between 4-5am and security queues are crazy. It’s far quieter at mid morning.

witchofzog · 21/05/2018 22:55

Definitely 2 hours min. For the sake of an hour is it worth the stress and risk of missing your flight? Yadnbu

BridgeFarmKefir · 21/05/2018 22:59

Having just flown from Bristol to Tenerife on an early flight (7.15am) with EasyJet I'd suggest you get there with your 2 hrs to spare. The queue to check in baggage stretched the length of the departure hall. The self check systems were in chaos and we had to the join another queue as our baggage was over weight. The queue for anyone with extra baggage (e.g. pushchairs) was pretty big too.

Basically it was an unpleasant experience! Now I guess if it were just you and DH only with hand luggage you'd be ok. But with MIL and DD, I'd get there early Smile ps. Have also made an assumption you're flying Sleazyjet but even if not I'd suggest leaving extra time!

user1488622199 · 21/05/2018 23:17

Bristol airport is horrendous. I flew for business during half term a while ago, online check in and no bags - the queue to get through security ran down the stairs and the whole length of the terminal. We had fast track passes for security and thank god we did. Even getting to the airport over an hour early for a domestic flight we were cutting it fine. I think the security bit has been improved since then but it’s a growing airport with significantly more passengers than its had previously and it takes time for all the infrastructure to properly catch up.

An extra hour in bed just isn’t worth the stress.

mysteryfairy · 21/05/2018 23:18

I can understand why your DH is keen to leave minimum time but it’s a middle of the night get up either way. If it was me I’d be in a hotel for half a night of sleep or in a taxi as I know I’m genuinely not safe driving at that time of night

MrsFezziwig · 22/05/2018 00:16

Well whoever said 6.00 is the first flight of the day was technically correct (I’ve just checked the website) but maybe they didn’t take into account that there are 3 flights with a departure time of 6.00 and a total of 12 from 6-6.30. That’s a lot of passengers to compete with in the check in/security queues.

PyongyangKipperbang · 22/05/2018 00:57

Anyone else going to be checking in first thing to see if the OP updates with a smug or VERY pissed off update?! :o

Good luck OP, you are right and he is wrong.

Sparrow8 · 22/05/2018 01:11

YANBU. I would be getting there 2.5 hours before the flight. Extra half hour for parking and getting to the terminal. My DH thinks it’s ridiculous but I worry and panic, so over the years he has learnt its easier just to get there early to save my sanity, his and the kids!!
We would get to the airport early and then have breakfast after we’ve checked in. It’s a nice start to the holiday.

wombat1a · 22/05/2018 01:27

Have you checked when the airport opens? We once turned up 2hrs early for a flight and found out the airport only opened for checking/baggage drop 45mins before the flight leaves. That was a wasted hour could have spent in bed.

AjasLipstick · 22/05/2018 01:48

We flew to Oz from the UK once....left plenty of time as usual. THANK GOD because when we arrived (driven by friend) we realised that DH had brought his OLD passport.

They had to drive back (45 mins) to our house to get his real one...he didn't even know where it bloody was!

They made it back with no issues but I was waiting with two small children and thinking "If he doesn't get back on time, I'm just leaving without him."

Which I would have but GOD the stress.

NevermindMyMind · 22/05/2018 01:52

I always plan for at least 2 hours. DH would have us rushing through the airport if it was up to him. If your DP has an issue with it, surely he can nap whilst there and it won't make a difference to him.

DuchyDuke · 22/05/2018 02:02

Depends where you’re going and when in the week. But I think 2 hours is the bare minimum and you should really allow 3.

Semster · 22/05/2018 02:11

In the UK I allow 2 hours at least.

In the US - DH and I have Global Entry which gives you TSA Precheck for yourself and anyone on your booking, which is a godsend. If we're flying out of our local airport then we'll leave the house at 4.20am for a 6am flight.

OlennasWimple · 22/05/2018 02:16

YANBU - we fly a lot and, with the exception of our tiny local airport, always leave two hours to allow for delays getting to baggage drop / through security / using the loo before having to board / finding the gate. I'd rather swoosh through and have some breakfast than be stuck in a queue getting stressed about missing the flight

FeckinCrunchiesInTheCar · 22/05/2018 02:17

YANBU.
I wouldn't put up with that.
Just leave for the airport earlier without him and take DD with you.
Tell him you'll see him there.