How early can you go to the airport?

[TheHappyBug]

My DS and his girlfriend are going on their first solo holiday, it’s also his girlfriend’s first time abroad. They had an email this morning saying that the airport is struggling to get people through security and can they please get to the airport At Least three hours before their flight.

They are panicking that they are going to miss the flight and want to get to the airport four hours early because the email said At Least.

I don’t think they need to go this early but if they find it less stressful I am happy to take them, it makes no difference to me after all, it’s them that will need to sit there for hours. However will they be allowed to go through? I have never turned up that early before.

It depends. My husband was so paranoid about delays/security etc. we got to the airport three hours before our (very early morning) flight and then had to sit and wait for bag drop to open for an hour.

So if bag drop will be open it’ll be fine getting there early but if it’s not then there’s no point.

if they want 4 just go for that. Plenty to do in airports to kill a few hours!

It depends - have they got hold bags to drop? If so, some airlines don’t open check in desks that early.
if it’s an early morning flight then at some (maybe all?)
airports, security closes for a few hours overnight and doesn’t open until a certain time. From memory our local airport is about 4am.

It depends when their flight is. I always get to the airport 4 hours early because i get afternoon flights, which means i don't need to rush. I can go shopping at duty free, get something to eat and a couple of drinks at the bar. If their flight is first thing in the morning ( 6am) then they might struggle to find anything open.

Their flight is an evening flight and they are taking cabin bags so looks like 4 hours early will be fine.

Thanks everyone!

They likely won’t be able to check in 4 hours early.

Which airport is this @TheHappyBug ?

They have done online check in and don’t have to check in luggage.

Liverpool, flying to Majorca.

Was this Jet2 by any chance as I get texts from them each time I fly with them and the airport is never any busier than usual.

Depends on the airport. Liverpool is fairly small and its never taken me more than 5 minutes to get through security. 60 to 90 minutes before take off seems more than enough to me so 3 to 4 hours sounds well over the top. Not a lot to do except the normal shops and bars.

I agree it’s absolutely unnecessary, but if it stops them stressing then it doesn’t affect me in anyway. I just don’t want them to have to sit outside.

They are flying with Ryanair.

If they checked in online and don’t have a bag to drop off they’ll be fine.

As long as they are taking hand luggage and are checked in online it’s fine. I went 3 hours before the flight last time as our bag drops opens 3 hours prior and we’d have lounge access anyway so it nice to sit in there. We were there are 3am though which was when security opened.

With just cabin bags then going plenty early is good but when you have hold luggage there's no point with some airlines, they don't open baggage drop off until 2 or 3 hours before the flight which is really annoying. Last time I flew Ryanair I got the email saying to be there at least 3 hours before and they didn't open baggage drop off until 2 hours before and then it was a mad rush to get through the massive security queue and through the airport to our gate on time.

Liverpool security took 5 minutes at 3pm the Sunday before the last May bank holiday. I don't think they need 4 hours in Liverpool!

I completely and utterly agree, however they are teenagers who know best and it is no skin off my nose if they want to sit and wait for hours.

I did point out that never in his life have we missed a plane, we have travelled many times but hey what do I know…..

Ryanair at Birmingham advised us to get there 3 hours early…presumably the same message was sent to the whole flight
we got there just over 2 hours early.
we (us plus multiple other families) were informed in a crystal clear and rather sharp manner that the drop off wouldn’t open till 2 hours before flight time. At 1 hour, 59 minutes prior to boarding we were permitted to go through…

As long as they're not the types to get pissed and not be allowed on the plane, they can go 4 hours before if they want to.

Make sure to they double and triple check their bags weight and size. Ryanair are very hot on this

They can buy fast track passes to get through security for £8 each on this website.

I do it all the time as loathe queues

https://www.holidayextras.com/

I always fly Ryanair from Leeds Bradford which is a small airport. Never have a bag to check in and get there about 80 mins before the flight and it’s been fine. Four hours seems insane.

I’m with you OP, if it eases their stress just take them four hours early.

I never mind being at an airport early as long as I can have a mooch, a drink or sit with a book. They’re young so they’ll be excited and occupy themselves.

I hope they have a lovely time.

What is there to do, other than shop or eat?

If I had that email I would be aiming for 3.5-4h early too. Assuming they will be doing online check-in so just need to drop their bags? So as long as bag drop is open they can go as early as they want.
Also pay for fast track security- it’s not expensive and well worth it when the airport is busy