How long after a flight lands can you pick them up?

Things You Should Know To avoid a long wait, plan to arrive at the airport about 30 minutes after someone's flight is scheduled to land. Wait until your party is outside to meet them at the curb (most airports prohibit parking more than 5-10 minutes at the curb outside of terminals).



The time it takes for a passenger to reach the pickup curb after a flight lands depends heavily on the type of flight and the airport's layout. For a domestic flight where the passenger has only carry-on luggage, they can often be at the curb in as little as 15 to 25 minutes. If they have checked bags, you should add another 15 to 30 minutes for the luggage to be processed and reach the carousel. For international arrivals, the process is significantly longer due to customs and immigration; depending on the airport's efficiency and the traveler's status (like Global Entry), it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to clear the terminal. In 2026, many major airports use automated biometrics to speed this up, but the "sweet spot" for a driver to arrive at the cell phone lot is usually about 30 minutes after a domestic landing and 60 minutes after an international one. Always check the airline's app for real-time gate arrival info, as "landing" time is when the wheels touch the tarmac, but "gate" time is when the doors actually open.

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