Flight how early should i arrive

Once the final check of your boarding pass is done you will be aboard the flight, check your seat and relax. Are you about to fly for the first time? Mobile phones - with all the necessary travel apps. Air Travel Best Practices. Know your Luggage. Getting to the Airport. Check-in at the Airport. Security Checks. Place all your hand baggage for screening. Place cell phones, laptops, electronics etc in the trays provided , to be scanned.

Place metal objects like belts, bracelets in the trays provided, as they might set off the alarms. Follow the rule at the Airport for carrying any liquids. While your luggage is being checked, you'll be required to undergo a personal check at the checking booths. Marriages have ended. So let's settle this question once and for all. The simple answer is: Two hours for domestic flights, three hours for international flights.

More or less. And during busy holiday periods or special events, the airport may recommend adding even more time. How "standard" is this advice? The Transportation Security Administration agrees with it, but airlines don't. For instance, American Airlines advises passengers to be at the airport two hours before flight time for international departures and 90 minutes for domestic flights. Also, there's an exception for flights to certain overseas destinations, which require that you check in earlier.

United Airlines further complicates this issue by adding luggage to the equation. If you're not checking luggage, the carrier advises you to arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If you're checking luggage, it's 90 minutes. For international flights, give yourself two hours, says United. That being said, there are also factors that could lengthen the whole process. When flying domestic, you're more likely to depart from a small airport.

As such, they aren't as busy. But because of that, the amount of staff there is often limited, so in the end, checking in and going through security check could take you just as long as if you were flying from an international airport.

I can't recommend enough checking in online rather than at the airport. Mainly because it saves an awful lot of time to do so, but also because some mainly low-cost airlines will make you pay an additional fee for checking in at the airport.

Several airlines, on the contrary, make it mandatory for passengers to do so. If that's the case or you forgot to check in online and are left with no other alternative, here's what I recommend. Get to the airport an extra 15 to 30 minutes earlier if you have to check in there, depending on when you're flying, whether you're headed abroad or not, and how big the airport is. Obviously, if it's an international departure during a busy time of year such as holidays, and from one of the busiest airports, you want to leave enough time for checking in.

As a general rule, you need to plan some extra time when flying internationally. Security checkpoints for this type of flight sometimes require plenty of time.

First, because you need to go through passport control. Then, because the airport security staff might take a closer look at your luggage, since some countries have more restrictive lists of what you can bring on a plane. Flying during peak time can easily add an extra hour or more to how early you should be at the airport. Some peak times are obvious: airports are generally busier during the summer holidays for example.

But not all airports experience the same peak type. For some, mornings are the time of day when most travelers are taking the plane, while for others, it's in the evening. Whatever your method for deciding when to arrive at the airport for domestic flights, be twice as cautious for international flights.

Also, be aware that each airport can have extremely unique suggested arrival times based on their security protocols. Tel Aviv, perhaps the most secure and rightfully paranoid airport on earth, suggests you arrive three hours early, while other hubs like Dubai suggest you arrive 90 minutes early.

Quite a difference! Your departure time can often affect how busy the airport is going to be when you arrive. The busiest times for airports tend to be during working hours, so think 8 a. Weekend dates or Fridays and Mondays are also typically when you can expect larger crowds. This is due to those looking not to take off a lot of work or traveling business folks returning or starting their workweek.

Typically flights in the early morning or in the evening are nearly a guarantee for a sparsely populated airport. If you plan to travel during the holidays, take extra consideration, and plan accordingly.

With an increase in the number of travelers, you could run into more traffic on your way to the airport and longer lines once you arrive. This will give you plenty of time to check your bag if needed and make it through security. Plus, a little extra time will go a long way in keeping your anxiety at bay, which is key to a pleasurable travel experience.

Those booking holiday travel should also consider using a credit card that offers travel protections. Unfortunately, delays and cancellations happen and seem even more common during peak travel times think Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.

The right credit card can reimburse you for things like trip delays and cancellations and baggage delays, too. To expedite the process, we recommend that you pay for your checked bags online before arriving at the airport. If you miss these windows, you will still be able to make your flight but will not be allowed to check any luggage. If you happen to be behind schedule, having TSA Pre could be a lifesaver for you! The TSA Pre line can be counted on to be shorter and faster than the traditional security line thanks to the lack of clothes shedding and lower volume of enrolled TSA Pre passengers.

Read more here about how TSA Pre can save you valuable time at the airport. If you live near a major hub, though, prepare for a hike and large crowds. The Amex Platinum is a staple in the travel cards landscape with its unmatched travel benefits, for frequent flyers these benefits alone can far exceed the cost of the annual fee.

The Platinum Card is best for frequent travelers that value luxury travel perks: think incredible airport lounge access and Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton. Sarah Hostetler is a contributor to Million Mile Secrets. She covers topics on points and miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels, and general travel. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. June 12, 2.