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?

I pay extra for fast track security whenever I travel and tend to get to the airport around 1.5 hours before my flight when I have hand luggage only. So depends on what the security queue is like and if you want to risk it.

No way will an hour be enough! Why are you resisting the two hour guidance? Think of all the things that could go wrong!!! 🤪🤪🤪

I always feel my holiday starts at the airport. I just sit around reading or people watching.

I doubt it, you have to walk through security, passport control, check in, the queues can be very long and then board the plane which takes 20 to 30 minutes.

We flew from Bristol to Spain 2 weeks ago. Got there 2 hours before, no luggage to check in. We still nearly missed our flight as the queues were so long, we got to the gate just as it was closing and were lucky that they let us through. I wouldn't risk it

Hi OP. Bristol Airport is a building site at the moment. How are you getting to the airport? If you're getting a taxi to the door you might be alright if the queues for security aren't too bad. But if you're parking up, forget about it!!! Its quite a walk now wherever you park.

I would suggest at least an hour and a half if you're dropped at the door, 2 hours if parking. Why make it stressful?

Bristol is also a bit of a construction site at the moment so I'd anticipate added delays to actually get into the airport

Why risk it?
IME security can take 5 mins or it can sometime take 45mins and it's hard to predict.
As others have said, gates often close 30 or 40 mins before a flight so any hold up with security could cause an issue.

Bristol can be very busy. I wouldn't risk it. Gates can be a very long walk from the departure lounge and you will need to be there before it closes....Ryanair can close gates 40 mins before departure.
I waited 20 mins for them to rescan my bag at security last time (went through with no issue the second time!)

When my local airport had building work last summer it ended up with a queue to even get to the queue, if that makes any sense, so people with Fast Track couldn’t get to that queue for a while. Happy days…

Your playing with fire all it takes is 1 thing to go wrong and you will miss your flight

I’ve almost missed a couple of flights from Bristol because security was mental crazy.

You risk missing your flight.

I recently flew from Manchester and security took a while to get through. Loads of luggage were being checked and this was very early in the morning (around 5am). I'm glad I gave myself more than two hours.

This

There's also the question of the journey there with possible delays, plus the frequent IT glitches at the airport, and that's before you get to tthe mess which security so often is ... frankly I couldn't stand the stress of risking it

OP, I'm sure this isn't you, but please don't by that person (like from the classic show Airline) that misses their flight closing and tries to blame everyone in the world but themselves.

Save yourself the stress, get there in plenty of time and chill with a coffee, safe in the knowledge it won't be you rushing around.

Birmingham was atrocious last year, people were queuing outside to even get into the airport. Many people missed their flights, it was publicised fairly well in the media at the time.

last 2 times ive flown Ryanair we've been on the plane with he doors shut 30ish mins before take off time

it also took me 45 mins to get through security in Stansted and the walk is far to the gates

so i'd say you could be pushing it

No it is not enough.

What’s the worse case scenario? For people who fly very regularly to major cities the worse case is they have to get the next flight, probably don’t have to pay for it or their employer pays a fee of some sort, and they are late for a meeting.

Is there a later flight if you miss it? Or will you have to wait a day? Does a day matter? If not and you’re happy with that out come rock up with only an hour and see what happens. If you need to be on that flight turn up two hours ahead.

As always it depends on the airport, airline, day,..time of day, holiday season or not.
.......

At many airports, even some the major ones, hitting the terminal carrying hand baggage only with an hour to go would be regarded as quite normal.

As far as Bristol goes it's a case 😶 of listening to the regulars.

I would give it 2 hours

At least 90 mins… gate usually closes 40 min before departure time.

I got a fright at Edinburgh. Everything including laptops stayed in the bag which meant it had to be hand checked by security. That took an unexpected 15 mins.

Time of day makes a difference as well - first flight of day are usually on time.

Tell me about it

At least that one's now sorted out, but I see Bristol's now a building site ... how wonderful

Surprised check in desk was open that early

In theory, an hour is just enough if you are not checking in luggage. In practice, the recommended two hours is to allow for things going wrong that are beyond your control.
Delays at security happen - queues build up, things break down, they might decide to search your bag.
Delays can also happen while you are travelling to the airport.
The flight won’t wait for you… is it worth the risk?

I do 2 hours before any short haul flight. I fly from Birmingham frequently for work and sometimes you're through in 10 minutes and other times you're queuing through security for an hour. It's hit and miss. I'd rather take a book and be there early, sitting at the gate with a coffee than stressing in the queue for security and running to the plane.