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?

It's Ryanair. Who seem to take a pleasure in being unpleasant. Or Michael O'Leary bullies staff into having no sensible discretion.

Yes, because it’s not about the check-in desk - it’s about the queue to get through passport control and security. That can take longer than 2hours.

I think you are chancing it arriving only an hour before. Airports have a number of variables, and it seems that planning for holiday times and the extra demand is not one of their great skills. After all, the law giving you paid holidays only came in during the 1930s, not much warning.

Even Fast Track can take longer at Bristol than many other airports. Plus, they seem to like to make it as unpleasant as possible. Lots of shouting at people.

Just do the two hours.

Depends on the airport and all the other previously mentioned variables.

Plenty of frequent/seasoned travellers still rock up at the major airports with an hour or a bit less to go...and that usually works fine at airports that are set up for it though there's increased jeopardy once the holiday season traffic picks up.

That said I wouldn't risk an hour anywhere if I was setting off on a holiday.

I mean it’s not being unreasonable unless you make it someone else’s problem. If you get there with an hour and spend 40 minutes in security because of low staffing/system error/other unforeseen thing will you just laugh it off and swallow the cost to pay to get the next flight?

if you would be angry, unpleasant or blame the staff then yes you’re being unreasonable.

An hour is cutting it fine but not impossible. You do you 🤷‍♀️

NO way! For years I've travelled through smaller provincial airports, and they have got worse and worse, and more unpredictable. I used to be someone who'd rock up 30 minutes beforehand!

A recent flight was just before 6am, and I imagined that the airport would be deadly quiet when I arrived at 4am. The queues for security were the longest I'd seen - lots of early morning flights to Europe and London, and possibly fewer staff on duty.

You'll also need to factor in the length of time it might take to walk to the departure gate, and to queue for the toilet. There might be a bus to take you to the plane rather than direct boarding - that always takes longer so the gate might close early.

Many airports give the departure gate 1 hour before take off. I'd always want to be airside by then. So you need to factor in security before that. There's nothing worse than the stress of waiting in security (and there's no rushing that part) not knowing if you'll make your flight!

Why do you want to cut it so fine? Years ago when I was almost commuting by plane, every 5 minutes in bed counted. Not now. For my recent 6am flight I had to be up at 3am, of course it was a pain but I snoozed on the plane and caught up my sleep by the next morning. What's the worst that happens by being there on time? You can have an extortionately priced coffee in a relaxed time-frame.

Why give yourself the stress?

Arriving at the airport an hour before departure could be enough but it could very easily not be.

As PP have noted, the gate for your flight will likely close at least 20 minutes, and quite possibly 30 or 40 minutes, before departure. So in reality, if you arrive at the airport an hour before take off, you would only have 20-40 minutes to get through security and on to your flight.

Tbh, I’m stressed just thinking about your plan to arrive 1 hour before!!!

Security fast track often doesn't work, well not at Manchester anyway. Last time we went, there were horrendous queues at security, even the fast track line was out into the main concourse, made worse because passengers delayed in the "normal" queues whose planes were boarding were being moved into the front of the fast track queue to get them through security and to the gates in time, thus the fast track queue was being constantly held back!

I wouldn’t do that myself but yeah, try it, why not?

DH and I flew from Glasgow to London last month with BA. We got to the airport and through security in plenty of time, had a look round duty free, then headed to the gate 40 minutes before it was due to close. The staff called out "Mr and Mrs Amusedbush??" as we walked up, like they'd been desperately waiting for us.

We were hurried to our seats while the captain made an announcement that had a definite air of "now that this pair of arseholes has decided to turn up, we can finally get going". They locked the doors behind us, then proceeded to sit on the tarmac for 35 minutes

We have flown a fair amount and never had that happen!

It isn't. Get there 2 hours earlier. There is always plenty to do before the flight.

I wouldn't do it. I thought I was going to miss my flight from Corfu back to the UK. Greek friends convinced me - it's a small airport, it's a European flight, just rock up a little bit before. I almost missed it. There were two insanely long queues one for cruise ship flights, one for non-cruises. I only made it because I popped to the front of the queue to ask someone directing people to the right desk if I'd be okay. He was so helpful and he pulled me from the queue to the front when it started to get more time critical. Save your anxiety and go early!

Security, passport check queues and even check-in queues can be very long and slow, especially the check-in queues of the budget airlines as they 'economise' on staff to process people. You will at least avoid the baggage check-in line as you are taking cabin bag only. With budget airlines we have had horrible experiences of standing for a very long time in various queues, to such an extent that we won't use the relevant airlines any more. I would allow at least 2 hours and actually some budget airlines (no doubt cognisant of their own poor performance) are asking people to arrive earlier than 2 hours before.

This. There are too many variables outside of your control

What time is the flight. Bristol is very busy early morning and you’d need 2 hours. It’s often better later in the day. But like anything it depends!

Definitely 2 hrs. Why want to do this to yourself. As you mention you are not a frequent flyer.

And as others say - dont blame everyone else if for whatever reason you get delayed. The Easyjet series from years ago was very funny. Why anyone would agree to be filmed stating it wasnt their fault they missed the flight due to bringing the wrong passport, getting delayed on the motorway or claiming that Easyjet said they would hold the plane for you when you called the contact centre. Let alone the tears and shouting that the poor check in staff had to listen to. Paperwork needs to be done well before the flight goes and most people just think if they run to the gate then all will be OK and the paperwork will just be changed at the last moment.

Honestly, just dont make your life more difficult. Many many years ago I completely misjudged how long it would take to get to Gatwick via Victoria Station. They took my luggage at the station but said I had missed the connection time and it was very likely that the luggage wont make the flight. It didnt...however we did and got upgraded to Business Class. Never never again though. it was only because the flight was delayed and I think the chap felt sorry for me (and my Mum!)

Use it often. Security can be horrific if you don’t have fast pass. Definitely wouldn’t leave it until an hour before to attempt it. 90 mins is usually fine.

A PP mentions fast track queues often don't work because passengers for previous flights who have been delayed by slow processing are constantly moved in front of the "fast track" people to get them on the flight in time. This is also our experience. It stinks.

I do minimum 3 hours, 4 usually regardless whatever I am told

Yes bristol early schedule is mad busy most days

Bristol is really small and fast - unless you have an early flight. Then it’s madness.

They also have the newer scanners where you can leave everything in your bag.

If you're catching a flight departing from Bristol between about 530am and 730am it will be absolutely rammed there. There can be 35 flights taking off in am hour and for a small airport that's not insignificant.

An hour is cutting it too fine at Bristol, you might get lucky, but who knows . The queues for security can be long, and there is walking to do. If your gate is upstairs and then in the extension bit, you will need time (at least 5 Min) to get there.

Bristol is really busy at this time of year, I always get fast track and leave plenty of time. Also with easyJet and Ryanair the gates are usually at the arsehole end of the airport so a good walk