To ask how early you actually need to be at the airport before a flight?

[ihopeyourescaredofalltheordinaryshit]

I’m flying short haul alone for the first time next week. Everything is sorted; ticket, passport, hotel reservations, etc etc.

but I’ve just realised I’ve actually got no idea how early I need to be there! I’ve always gone along with the group and they’ve always gone for about three hours early.

I’ve tried searching everywhere but my airline’s website isn’t helpful. It just tells me bag drop shuts at 06:05 (flight is at 07:05), but I’m flying without any checked bags!

2 hours. It's to allow time for security - and your gate will sometimes open 45 mins to an hour before the flight. I always leave about 2.5 hours.

I aim for two hours before (three if long haul). 15 minutes more or less doesn't matter either. Time passes quickly in an airport.

I do three hours but I’m a weirdo who likes to relax and hang out at the airport for ages 😁

Minimum two hours - weird that your airline doesn't have this information available as usually they shove it down your throat upon booking!

Thank you! I just realised I’ve never really had an input in that bit. Just turned up when I was told to 😂 and airlines are no help at all

I allow 1.5 hours for that type of flight - usually its too much still due to getting through security quicker than expected but it gives enough of a buffer in case there are delays at security.

2 hours is advisable, to allow for any issues. But my DS last week arrived at the airport 50 minutes before a flight (due to traffic) and just made it, although he did have to run through the airport, and just got to the gate as it closed.

How far are you from the airport and how are you getting there?

I get very stressed by the thought of being late and missing my flight so I always factor in additional journey time. If I'm early it's fine, I can get coffee, read a book etc.

I’ll be staying overnight the night before the flight, so the traffic is minimal!

I do a short flight regularly. I make sure I'm at the airport 2 hrs before the departure time which gives me time to check my bag in and get through security. This is via a small and not so busy airport.

When I go short haul via Heathrow, I get there 2½ hrs before departure time, as check-in and security are often very busy.

Bloody hell. My mums always drilled into me anything less than 4 hours early and the world is going to end

I’ve previously been with people who do it four hours. I’ve also been with people who haven’t arrived till the gate has opened (that one was horrendous)

We always did two hours for short haul, three for long-haul.

In that case 2 hours at the most. Is it a busy time? If its quiet 90 mins is probably ok.

2 hours is standard for short haul.

It’s a 7am flight.

the uber app is saying 3 hours before!

Depends on your airport ….I live equidistant to Manchester and Liverpool Airports….I need more time for Manchester….Liverpool is a doddle

If you're walking distance or short bus ride to the airport, I'd aim to arrive at security 1.5 hours before the flight

if you aren’t checking bags, 90 minutes. If checking a bag, two hours.

Most UK airports have a bit on their website with security queue information so you can keep an eye on that and see. If the hotel is in the airport I would wake up at 4.45, check the security time and if it's short stroll over in a leisurely fashion, and if it's a long waiting time I would be a bit more energetic.

@ihopeyourescaredofalltheordinaryshit you need to allow enough time for a beer too. It is the law to have one as being at the airport is officially the beginning of your holiday (or work trip if you're unlucky!)

I am surprised nobody has mentioned this.

Personally, I allow 2 hours, plus a bit for said beer. Or glass of wine if that is your preference.

I agree with pp, it depends on the airport.
You need more time for Heathrow than for Southampton.

It really depends on the airport, and also days of the week can vary e.g. early Monday morning is always busy with a combination of business travellers and weekend away folk going home, Sunday at 7am possibly less so but can be a popular time for package holiday flights…..bigger airports like LHR take longer to get to the gate…..my local airport I’d go 60-90min with hand luggage, 90-120 with hold bags to drop.

I used to fly short haul/domestic at least monthly. I’d arrive about 75 mins before departure. You can usually buy security fast track for about £5 in advance which skips the queue. Worth considering if you’d rather not have too early a start!

Well the minimum is how long it takes you to eat through security and to the gate as technically you only have to arrive just as the gate is about to close, 20 mins or whatever before the flight takes off. Not many people enjoy flying by the seat of their pants like that though so I'd normally leave at least 90 mins, 2 hours if checking bags.

Due to leaving something in the car and having to go back for it I have recently arrived at Gatwick 45 mins before the flight and made it (just) but god I had to run, and it's not fun being all hot and sweaty on the plane.

It’s Heathrow.

really annoyingly, terminal 3. Which seems to be the worst connected of them all