Not to be at the airport 2 hours before my flight

[Iambouddicca]

Flying to Europe from Bristol. Do I really need 2 hours - travelling light with just an underseat bag on easyJet… just a single traveller too.

I’ve not flown much recently ( and not since Brexit/covid) so I’ve not got a feel for this. Is an hour enough - honestly?

Well Ryan air gates close 40 mins before the flight.

Yea when does the gate close? which airport? What’s the average time through security there? It’s a gamble honestly depending on those factors

Depends on the airport. I fly very often from London airports and use fast track security and I arrive between 50- 60 mins before and have never had an issue. Flew recently from Birmingham and it would not have been enough, the security line was out of control. Think you need some solid advice from people who use Bristol airport regularly

I sometimes find the budget airlines want to close the gate what feels like about an hour before the flight departs.

Which means even with loads of time, making it there can be a challenge.

I assume Bristol airport is fairly small - but even if you have say 90 mins - 30 mins to get through security etc could be tight if it’s busy / they choose your bag to search etc.

Sure. Great idea. Get there ten minutes before. I'm sure it will be fine.

YABU. What if the queues are horrendous? Staff shortages? Any number of shit stuff can go on delaying things but they'll still shut your gate at the prescribed time and you'll be back here moaning that you missed your flight 🙄

Most of the delays are going through security and passport control. Not necessarily on the way out but certainly on the way back. When we flew recently the quickest part was actually checking hold bags in. Security and passport control took much longer. It also depends what time of day you fly.

It is a pain hanging around the airport but the flight won't wait if you are delayed coming through passport and security checks.

Yes. Especially Bristol. The security queues can be horrendous and its prime holiday season. It will be busy.

Thank you - I was participating looking at Bristol so would be really helpful if anyone knows that airport

We were travelling yesterday, there was a nasty accident unfortunatley and were delayed by an hour as the motorway was shut.

If you leave last minute for any travel arrangement its such a risk.

I was hoping an hour might be enough…

I really wouldn’r. But I’m the kind of person who hates being flustered and rushed and am happy sitting around in airports as long as I have my book/ipad with me and some shops to look at and a coffee.

Bristol isn’t a big airport but the security queues can be busy. I would definitely give yourself the two hours. And depending on how you are getting to the airport and from which direction it can take ages to actually get there. We used to live in Taunton and used Bristol airport regularly and the road isn’t great from that direction so you can get stuck in slow moving traffic.

Why though?why would you risk it for the sake of one hour of your time?

When we went bham we quied from 3am till.neally 7am flight was at 8.30am they were calling people's flights out

EasyJet say they close their gates 30 mins pre departure. So you need to be at the gate, ticket scanned.

Probably achievable with a fair wind, but if anything goes wrong you miss your flight - just arrive 30 mins earlier and reduce your stress levels?

Why were you there 5.5 hours before your flight?

I aim be there 60 to 90s mins before. I do that even for domestic in case of traffic or queues in security.

I flew with them recently. Gate closes 30 minutes before so an hour is not enough time. We only have hand luggage too. An hour and a half is the minimum time I would do. It can take a while to get to your gate.

As PP have said, it’s not just how long does it take to get through the airport. It’s the traffic etc getting there. I used to live in Bristol and it could take me ten mins to get to the airport sometimes, an hour other times.

Too risky.

If there are any delays that are out of your control, such as long queues at security, the airline will not hold the flight for you.

I would suggest that you take a look at the other flights that are going around the same time. Just because you wouldn't have much luggage that does not mean that the other people wouldn't. You are flying peak holiday time. If they are lots of holiday flights around the same time I would give yourself more time. Often you have people who are not regularly travellers and faff at security.

It won't be. Why would you risk missing your flight?!

@Iambouddicca could be worthwhile to fast track through security?

eta; more info pertaining specifically, to Bristol airport

Most airlines board around 40 mins before the actual departure time. They say 2h to account for getting through security and the busyness depends on the airport and time of flight

A huge amount will spend on exactly when you are travelling. My local airport is a similar size to Bristol and sometimes the queue for security is out of the building and other times it’s ten minutes through. If you want to be thorough have a look at the flights that are leaving within 2/3 hours of yours either side to get an idea.

But I do tend to agree that for an hour of your time, it’s worth just being safe and planning some down time on the other side if needed.

Fast Track security is a good investment if your time is really pushed although at the really busy times that gets booked out.