When to arrive at airport?

[BrianButterfield]

Am going round in circles here!

Am taking a domestic flight from LBA tomorrow at 11. Have checked in online and printed boarding cards. Only taking hand luggage although will have pushchair (which I think I can take to the gate?)

Boarding card says arrive at gate for 10.30. Booked long term parking which says allow 20 minutes for bus transfer to terminal. Live 2 hours away from airport. Travelling with 3yo and 8mo so would prefer not to spend too long at airport but don't mind having brunch there.

What time would you leave the house and aim to arrive at the airport for? Haven't flown for ages so don't know how long security takes now and if kids makes a difference.

10.30 boarding gate minus 20 mins from parking, say 10 am.
But you might have to wait for a bus to arrive, so 9.50.
Allow 30 mins for security 9.20.
And 20 mins finding/ walking to gates, toilet stops etc 9.00
2 hours drive 7.00

I'd be aiming to leave the house by 6.30 at the latest.

I think buggies need to be checked in to get a label, though you can then take them to the gate.

The queues at LBA were horrendous when we went through just over a week ago.

We got to the carpark 2 hrs before the flight.
We were the last on the plane - but did manage a burger king breakfast after security (we left home at 5am, before breakfast!).

I'd be checking on the buggy situation - you probably can take it to the gate, but only if you've checked it in and got it tagged, which means queuing at check-in. So, potentially, you'll need to allow for that.

0630 isn't unrealistic I don't think. Everything will take longer than you think - 20 mins for the bus transfer, does that include waiting for the bus? If the bus is only every 20 mins PLUS 20 min journey, that's not the same as 20min max.

Kids will need to go through security - if there's nice folk like me around I'd offer to pick up a bag for you or hold a child whilst you unpacked your millions of toiletries or electronic gadgets, but I'm not in LBA tomorrow! So, pack the hand luggage as easy as you can, to make security easier for you.

Is 1030 when the gate opens or closes? I'd be adding another 15 mins on for that.

iirc, the average waiting time for the bus is 7 mins, and its only a couple of mins to transfer. 20 mins should cover the transfer.

Agree with the comments on the buggy - it will need checking in.

Walking time to some of the gates at 3yr old pace may take 10-15 mins.