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?

"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"

I imagine that only happens in really tiny airports. It has taken us that long to get through security in Manchester before.

I flew out of Bristol on a 5am flight 2 weeks ago (came back yesterday, boo!)

We left at 1am, was there just after 2am! No DC! Was very relaxing.

Oh ps, we checked in when we got there too. (As did many other early arrivals!)

Last year we went 2 hours early. The check in was a bloody shambles, security was horrendous, and we were the final call and being called BY NAME to board. This was an early morning European flight. Bloody right I’ll be there much earlier, as I would have been if it had not been a whole family (parents, sister, grandparent as well as my husband and children) holiday and I had been overruled about going earlier.

Dh and I had the same argument couple of years ago he said airport would be dead check in not open that early. Airport was packed severs flights leaving at 6 am.
We will no doubt have the same argument this year with our 5:55am flight.

I fly to Europe every couple of weeks and would always allow two hours . You never know what issues might arrive at security & with small children, it's important not to feel rushed or overly stressed . Yes it's an early flight but if it's anything like Stansted it will be the busiest time at the airport as it's the cheapest time for the planes to fly . Enjoy your holiday

Early flights are incredibly popular though it is the busiest time. I (sadly) just checked 88 flights per day from Bristol. 1/4 (22) depart between 6-7:15. 12 between 6-6:30

So all those passengers means a busy airport

Also are you flying easyjet as they have 14 flights between 7:30 all from I imagine all from one ch3ck in queue

30 mins for a domestic flight, 90 mins for international. But I live in Brisbane and the airport is super slick and getting a domestic flight is like catching the bus 😁
I remember Bristol airport and would go with 2 hours too OP!

Oh the nightmare of Bristol airport. We flew last year. Arrived with 90 minutes to spare. Queued for 45 mins through security. Then the screen started flashing that the flight was boarding. Gate 14.... it was over a mile away! Made it with minutes to spare. Had to get straight on the plane. No time for a drink and bursting for the loo.
Now I allow 3 hours. I'll never cut it fine again.

I would want to arrive two hours plus beforehand for a European flight. What also needs to be considered is that on EasyJet for instance the departure gate closes 25 minutes before departure (and no exceptions are made to latecomers). I have read of too many people missing flights due to delays getting through airports but also because they have allowed too little time.

At two hours before and I wasn't at the airport I would be well and truly freaking out, have to admit I'm two hours before the two hours before normally!!

www.airlinequality.com/airport-reviews/bristol-airport/

The above are recent reviews of Bristol airport.

Check Bristol airport departures the same day of the week as you are going and show DH. There are loads of early morning flights, particularly the low cost ones.
You've got to get from car park - if you are silverzone it takes 10-15 mins. Security is busy and I do the fast track - think it's £3 each with the discount code (e.g. MAY18) - less stress and so quick. Last time we flew early the security queues were crazy.
If you are EasyJet you have the new style check-in where you weigh your bags yourself and stick baggage tags on.

We fly regularly from Bristol to Spain. We last flew in April, arrived at the airport 16:00 for a 17:30 flight. We’ll be doing the same in June.

It was fine for us, but the airport was relatively quiet and security was quick and painless. No DC in tow. I think you are wise to allow 2 hours, especially if you want to fit in a costume change for DD.

You could splash out on the Aspire Lounge if you want to escape the crowds.

Travelling for work I'm there 45mins - 1hour before boarding but will have hand luggage only & fast pass security. I do it 2-3 times a month so shopping & airport coffee hold no appeal!

Travelling for holiday, with kids or a group... 2-3 hours minimum. Funnily enough... shopping & a chilled out coffee regain their appeal!

YANBU OP - maybe your DH is thinking how long it takes him on his own rather than all of you?

You need to be there minimum 2 hours before. You need to allow for traffic, roads being shut, huge queues at checkout, sometimes it's taken over an hour to queue and pass through security, then walk to the gate to catch plane.

I'm the driver so I tell them what time we are leaving. Funny enough starting the car makes them stop faffing about

I do get slightly thrilled when I'm first in the check in queue though

Pack yours and D.C. in cases and let him do his own.
Go in car with MIL and let him do as he pleases....
Enjoy your holiday.

I've flown loads of times from Bristol and never found it to be 'horrendous' and never had to queue for check in/security etc for very long. But we always arrive at least 2 hours before. I wouldn't risk leaving the house any later even though we only live 30 mins drive away. Also I'm never sure when the check in desk shuts and would hate to miss the flight. I find part of the run is relaxing with a coffee and magazine waiting for the flight

Have always allowed 2 hours, especially with young children. You don't want to end up in a situation where you can't take lo to the loo because you are rushing to get to the gate after a delay at security.

My DH works at Bristol Airport and suggests 2 1/2 hours before. Early morning is the busiest time of the day and the airport can be extremely busy at this time.
There's plenty of places to eat and chill at the airport whilst you wait.

3 year old needs time to get changed, go to the loo (or get nappy changed) which is usually long queues for early flights, etc. You all need time for security and DC needs to be calm for this (meaning DPs need to be calm about it).

If you are lucky (!) and all goes smoothly, there should be time to get a coffee/croissant/juice and sit and watch the people everywhere, the trucks and baggage men etc all moving around the planes, and maybe the first few arrivals and departures of planes as well.

That is by FAR preferable to a last minute gallop, DC stressed, probably you stressed, (what is DMIL like as a traveler?!), no chance for breakfast pit stop (or to grab snacks/drinks airside for taking on the plane - given how poor the choices are on board for lots of airlines, I would definitely be getting some bits I know DC in particular would have for the plane in the airport after security), and no chance for DC to run around the get rid of any excitement before being cooped up in the seat for however long the flight is (plus time at either end for boarding and getting off and other hanging around time).

There are no redeeming features of arriving late or 'just on time' for a flight. I say this as someone who confessed to always being late on another thread.
That extra hour in bed doesn't compare to the rising panic and stress of arriving and seeing a huge queue at baggage drop or at security and there is no judging what it will be like. A full on sprint across an airport is truly awful.

I'm a frequent flyer and I always allow 3 hours for an international flight. Nevertheless 3 times I've come close to missing a flight and literally popped out of security and ran like the wind.

Some airports like LHR have 'conformance'. That is unless you present to security with x time left before your flight you won't even be be let into the security queue. I think for LHR and Gatwick that's 60 minutes. 15 minutes more than expected on the road, a toddler meltdown, a wee stop and a medium queue at bag drop is going to have you up against it.

Once through you can relax, have breakfast shop.

I actually think finding out how early someone considers they should be for a flight should be part of a first date. It's very important in a relationship.

My ex was a nightmare - always cutting it fine and even though he'd missed a few flights always insisted he didn't need to be early.

Luckily current DP is on my wave length and likes to be early - it's better to be bored in the airport than stressing out on the motorway.

You are absolutely in the right to want 2 hours but you will never get him to see you POV. He’s coming at it from a different angle.
He is probably thinking: I don’t like airports, what’s the point of going somewhere to hang around, I’m not getting up early for no reason and so on. Your concern about dressing your child will not register with him because it’s not something that concerns him.
Of you want to influence him to change his mind you’ll need to think of something that makes it seem worthwhile to him. Your best bet will be to listen to his POV without sounding like you’re dismissing it, then get a compromise on the time. This is what I do every holiday. Also, book the taxi yourself and tell him they’ve recommended a particular time.