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!

Me too 😆

Dont forget to check in online.

Depends! I fly a couple of times most weeks for work and get to the airport generally about an hour before take-off. I have plenty of time to get through security (fast-track), grab a coffee and stroll to the gate.

Depending on the airport, 90m-2h before. I've done 60m before and it was fine but I'm not keen on repeating that 😂

It's quite airport dependent, my local airport is Manchester and security can be a nightmare, so I'd always do at least 2 hours, Newquay or Newcastle you're absolutely fine with an hour!

I fly short haul constantly and do 1.5 hours. Did 1 hour the other day but was lucky that it was deadly quiet.

It's airport dependent. Sone w could take 2 hours, others 30 minutes.

I agree with this, especially if a smaller airport. But it also depends how far away you are and the likelihood of traffic/transport delays.

I live about 50 minutes from one smaller airport and 35 minutes from a larger airport and leave home 3 hours before for both of them.

Heathrow / Gatwick are massive - and that can slow you down a bit.

Two hours is fine for a budget provider, even with their silly ‘gate closes at x time’ rules.

If you are travelling with kids I might allow a little more time, just as they’re slow and the family lanes actually slow you down IMO.

It depends though - smaller airports are a nightmare during school holidays as many of the planes are full and they don't have enough security scanners to quickly process the volume (Bristol I am looking at you).

REALLY depends on airport. I cleared Liverpool in less than 45 min. Manchester, horror.

Edit. Saw it's Heathrow. 3 hours just because I would probs get lost or something

It depends on how many kilometres it is from security to the effin gate! In my airport the bag drop opens two hours before the flight (airline specific), so there's no point getting there any earlier than that unless I want to hang around departures pre security - which I don't!

Other airlines might have longer bag drop windows though. And my airport had to put in seating on the LONG WALK to the gates to give people a rest. So it depends!

Run to the gate😂 we've all been there. I used to test how fast I can get through on my previous local airport and once just about made it. Adrenaline!

An hour before take off. Maybe 1 hour 15 if I want time to grab a coffee and browse the bookshop. If I have the kids in tow then I’ll do 1hr30 because they move slower. Have never come even close to missing a flight.

At LHR I’d probably aim for close to 2hours, particularly if you’re staying nearby and don’t have a long journey to get there.

I usually aim for 2 hours but I know people that aim for the latest they can get away with. At Heathrow T5 they won't let you through security later than 30 mins before your flight on short haul or 45 mins on long haul (I think those are the times - will tell you on your ticket).

I often have to get early morning flights for work (6-7am ISH) and getting there 2 hours early is annoying as nothing is open so you still end up rushing last minute to pret to buy a sandwich for lunch later.

Tubes aren't as frequent either.

I'd say with no bags an hour before take off . Maybe longer if you are not used to the airport - terminal / used to fly along from a smaller airport and have been known to run in 45 mins before departure. But that was pushing it.

if you don't know the airport or gate I'd give it longer than an hr

How long does a flight need to be to tip from short haul into long haul category?

Depends on the airport. At a small airport I once made a flight arriving 30 minutes before but I wouldn’t recommend this ( I had a flexible ticket and was actually booked on the next flight but they saw me just before they closed check in and let me on that one). For Heathrow I’d aim for a minimum of 2 hours.

I don't fly often, and I'm a worrier about missing the flight so usually arrive about 3.5hrs early

Last time we left the car a short bus ride away, then dropped the bag before fast tracking through security. Once through, we bought some dity free before buying breakfast and had a chilled hour or so before the gate opened.

It works for me.

I am flying longhaul in about 6 weeks, the first leg is a flight to Amsterdam which leaves at 6am. I am not spending one second more than I have to in the airport at that ungodly hour.

@Bitzee wow you've been lucky. I’ve been on flights where the queue to check in luggage was 45 minutes, then hand luggage security another 45, then a long hike to the gate.

I’m flying out of Heathrow.

currently considering swapping my hotel that’s about a 10 minute drive away for one in the terminal so I’ve got as much time as possible to get there 😂

2 hours is a good idea, a bit dependant on the airport - our local airport is 25 minutes away and I’ve risked 90 minutes whereas Heathrow i generally time it for 3 hours or a bit more allowing time for the parking shuttle bus and extended queues at immigration

Depends what airport.

I used to fly from Gatwick every week. Used to leave an hour and a half with no checked baggage. Security was never more than half an hour.

Then I went to Manchester and it took nearly 2 hours to get through security!