AIBU to think that arriving at the airport 7 hours before a flight is too early?

[thingersandfumbs]

DP likes to ensure we're early. I think 7 hours before it's due to take off is slightly too early.

I absolutely agree that it's best not to leave it to the last minute and I am happy to build in some buggeration factor time. But 7 hours?

I'm sort of hoping that loads of you come along and tell me that you or your other halves like to be just as early as I'm happy to eat humble pie... but I have a sneaky suspicion it might be another of his unique lovely traits

Ps there's a bag of star mix riding on this...

I would flatly refuse.

You won't be able to check in any bags till a couple of hours before departure. Most of the shops and cafes are now on the other side of security so absolutely nothing to do but sit in uncomfortable seats with your bags beside you for about 5 hours...

Way too early!! Absolute super cautious maximum, 3 hours!

I'm totally paranoid about getting flights on time.

We live 200 miles from our nearest large airport.

We don't leave home until 7 hours before the flight

That’s crazy! 3 hours is fine.

7 hours is bat shit

GottenGottenGotten Depends on airport and whether you have fastrack!

2h is plenty

i usually aim for 1 hour within the uk, 1.5 within europe and maybe 2 for long-haul. any “stress dreams” i get tend to be themed around running late for a flight but i would never go 7 hours early. it’s boring and would cost a fortune!

I know someone who liked being 4 hours early all was well until an accident closed the motorway and she missed the flight, I live 2 hours from airport I worry about things like that so stay the night before in the Radisson and spend time in the morning in the business class lounge

I always aim for 2 hours before flight,. Having said that I am flying tomorrow morning and as I am opting to take the bus, and it's Monday morning (traffic), I'm actually aiming for a bus that will get me there 3 hours prior to flight just to allow for traffic delays.

That’s nuts. I am anxious about plane times etc, but am happy with 3 hours. We always have children, bikes or skis with us, which slows things down a bit.

But 7 hrs..... possibly do-able at Heathrow or Gatwick, but you’d die of boredom at LeedsBradford.

After having experienced Virgin upperclass lounge at LHR we could kill 7h there again no probs. Food, drink, massages, nap zones, haircuts, all you can eat buffets..... but if no lounge is included and you’re just hanging around the terminal absolutely YaNBU, it’s way too much time to kill otherwise!!!

Depends on time of flight- for a 7am flight I might well aim for midnight and kip at the airport rather than get up at 3am... would probably get a hotel but not definitely. For a daytime flight, probably aim for 3-4 hours before take off depending on length of journey and amount of M25 required.

Driving to Gatwick from Peterborough through rush hour not my idea of fun - I decided to go early to get on the M25 early - much easier to kill time with a book in an airport than sat on the motorway going nowhere..

@cherrypavlova, no fast track at my local airport.

But of course it depends on the airport... That's why I made it clear I was taking about my local one!

I would travel separately to the airport and let him get his kicks by himself for 5.5/6 hours.
I find airports these days awful. Also flights are often delayed.
You seem very patient/long suffering/resigned !

Wow! I am one of those people who likes to be early. If the info says check in 2 hours before I would really like to get there 3 hours before. DH is resistant to that though so we meet somewhere in the middle.

But 7 hours! That really, really is not normal. Imagine if you do get there that early and then your flight is delayed.

and there's a long tale involving drunks, strange willies and turds on that occasion

7 hours means you have more than enough time to tell us this tale now then!

7 hours?! That's bonkers. I thought I was mad if they say get there 2 hours before I leave 3. Once missed a flight when I was 21 and vow to never again.

7 hours early is hideous you'd be better if booking into an airport hotel the day before!

I thought this was a proposal from him when I read the OP, but you’ve actually been indulging him? Why? Does he insist on seven hours for the return journey too? That’s like stealing five hours of your holiday.

Wtaf you get to the airport 2 hours before your flight.
7 hours is just taking the piss

Bloody hell he must like the duty free shops. I'd point blank refuse 2-3 hours is enough time in any airport.

Sounds lije me! Can’t bear to be last minute. Was 10 hours early for flight recently at Southampton airport.

I had to wait nine hours in Dubai airport and I nearly died from the boredom.

7 hours is ridiculous!

7hrs is crazy! I mean, I love going on holiday and getting to the airport is very exciting... but max 4hrs early for me depending on if we're driving up and preparing incase of traffic!

Enjoy those starmix OP