Recommendations are from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): At airports in the U.S., expect longer lines and plan for extra time. Get to the airport two hours early for domestic travel. Get to the airport three hours early for international travel.

In 2026, most major international airports allow ticketed passengers to enter the terminal building up to 6 hours before departure. However, you typically cannot drop your checked bags or pass through security until the airline's check-in counter officially opens, which is usually 3 to 4 hours before take-off. Arriving earlier than this is often discouraged unless you have a confirmed booking at an on-site airport hotel or a late-night layover. For 2026 travelers, it is a "pro-tip" to aim for a 3.5-hour arrival; this provides a "safety buffer" for biometric verification, long security queues, and immigration processing without leaving you sitting in the "pre-security" public zone for hours. If you are using "early bag drop" services (available the evening before some flights), you can arrive much closer to the 2-hour mark on the morning of your journey to head straight for the lounge or gate.