But if you find yourself at the airport with time to spare, there’s plenty to do for entertainment and relaxation. What do I do if I get to the airport too early?Īirports used to be a dreaded place to spend a few extra hours. Oftentimes, smaller airports have limited staffing, so getting through security could take just as long as a major hub. If you’re taking a domestic flight from Anchorage, Los Angeles or Miami on United, for example, you’ll need to check in 60 minutes before your flight if you’re checking a bag and 30 minutes before if you’re taking carry-on luggage.Īnd don’t underestimate those small airports, Baskas points out. Still, some airlines require travelers to check in a certain amount of time before even domestic flights, too. It’s also worth considering how familiar you are with the airport-if you’re flying out of your home airport and you know you can breeze right through to your gate, you could shave some time off the recommended two hours. Travelers like Schlappig who have applied for and are enrolled in the TSA’s Precheck program, for example, can go through an expedited security line without removing their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or light jackets, which speeds up the process. Check our travel alerts to see if your travel is impacted by current events, or sign up to. Keeping up to date with the latest flight information is easy: Download the Air NZ app to stay updated with real-time flight info and day of travel notifications. The TSA recommends getting to the airport two hours before a domestic flight, but there are certain factors that could influence whether you should leave earlier or later to catch your flight. View the current arrival and departure times for Air New Zealand flights across the globe. How early should I get to the airport for a domestic flight? It’s not worth being stressed every step of the way just so you can save a few minutes.” If that is the case, “arrive plenty early and don’t cut it close. It’s also worth considering whether you or your travel companion gets stressed while traveling, says Ben Schlappig, who writes the airline and travel blog One Mile at a Time. You should also consider leaving more time if you’re parking or checking a bag, and factor in whether you’re familiar with the airport and how large the terminal is.
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You’ll want to leave extra time beyond the two or three hour guideline during peak travel times-like big holidays and summer vacation seasons, when more people clog up security lines. While the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) recommends travelers arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours prior to an international trip, “those are just general times,” says Richard Duncan, the Assistant General Manager of Public Safety and Security at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports.Īfter all, there are dozens of factors to consider when deciding how early to get to the airport, according to Harriet Baskas, the travel writer behind the blog Stuck at the Airport. Your bag is packed, you’ve got your travel documents in order and you’re ready to fly-but how early should you actually get to the airport? Even the most seasoned travelers have had their share of experiences sprinting to catch a plane or arriving too early and getting stuck in a terminal for hours on end.