How Early Should You Get to The Airport for Your Flight?

For every traveler, missing a flight is the most stressful situation. After planning for the upcoming trip, nobody would like any kind of mishap that could possibly keep them away from an amazing holiday. And especially in the situation where you miss your flight because of arriving late at the airport.

If you are new to air travel and ask anyone the question, how early should you get to the airport, you will most likely hear different viewpoints from different people. While some might suggest that you arrive at the airport at least three to four hours before the scheduled flight. Also, they advise avoiding arriving at the terminal too early as you can end up spending time around.

So, How Early Should You Get to the Airport? 

Well, it depends on a variety of factors – what time of the day is your scheduled flight, how big and busy is the airport from where you are departing, what are the check-in requirements of your airline, do you have access to expedited security screening benefits, to name a few. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally is one of the biggest factors that determines how early you should depart for the airport.   

For Domestic Flights:

If you are thinking about how many hours before domestic flight you have to arrive at the airport. As most airlines require domestic travelers to check in for the flight at least two hours before the scheduled departure time. If you already checked your bags online and printed your e-boarding pass, then you can arrive a little late, but make sure you reach the airport 90 minutes before your flight (or 60 minutes before when you are traveling domestically with just carry-on bags).

However, if you are checking in for your flight at the airport itself, you need to make it to your airport early so you have enough time for pre-flight formalities such as boarding pass collection, baggage check-in, security checks, etc. In the end, you should be able to get to your departure gate in time for your flight. For regional airports, security lines are shorter and passenger flow is nearly smooth as compared to major airports, hence, passengers will most probably be able to cut it close to departure time at small airports.

Also Read: Airport Layover Tips

For International Flights: 

International travelers have to go through additional security procedures such as immigration and hence the answer to the question, ‘how early should you get to the airport?’ is usually 3 hours before your international flight departure. In fact, you should consider starting a little earlier than three hours from home if you are to take your flight to India from major US airports such as Hartsfield-Jackson, JFK Airport, Chicago O’Hare, or Los Angeles Airport. Expect huge crowds and long security lines at these busy airports and arrive early to be on the safe side. (These airports also provide you with plenty of interesting options to spend your extra minutes/hours before you catch your international flight.)

Additionally, different airlines have different time frames as to when they expect their passengers to be there at the boarding gate, and this typically ranges between 30 minutes to 60 minutes for international flights. Delta instructs its passengers to arrive at the boarding area at least 45 minutes before the departure time whereas United recommends that its passengers reach the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes. In general, boarding starts 45 minutes ahead and closes 15 minutes before the flight takeoff.

Also Read: Find Flight Number

Planning ahead and knowing how early should you get to the airport can save you from the stress of missing a flight. For domestic flights, aim to be at the airport at least two hours before departure, while international flights require at least three hours. Consider factors like airport size, time of day, and check-in requirements. So staying updated on travel requirements is important. By preparing well, booking cheap Indian Eagle flights can ensure a smooth and enjoyable start to your journey.

FAQs

How early should I get to the airport if I’m flying during peak travel seasons like this? 

The holiday season is the busiest season for travel in the United States. The security screening process can easily take an additional 1 hour than usual. So, make sure you reach the airport 3 hours ahead of domestic flight departure and up to 4 hours if you are taking an international flight. 

What should you do if you arrive late and miss the flight?

If you are running late to the airport or have reached the airport after your flight departure, call your airline or reach out to the specific airline desk at the airport to check if they can board you on the next flight scheduled for departure. 

What factors influence how early I should get to the airport?

Factors include the time of day, the size and busyness of the airport, airline check-in requirements, and whether you have expedited security screening.

How early should I arrive if I only have carry-on luggage for a domestic flight?

Arrive at least 60 minutes before departure if you are traveling domestically with just carry-on bags.