How much before boarding should I arrive?

When you're traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. For most airports, you must be checked in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time (airports requiring additional time are listed below, Go to footer note).



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Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight. That said, there are many factors to consider that will help you decide how much time you should budget for at the airport.

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Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight. That said, there are many factors to consider that will help you decide how much time you should budget for at the airport.

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Most flights start boarding 30 - 50 minutes before scheduled departure, but the exact time depends on your destination and plane. Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you're not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. You will not be allowed to board once the doors close.

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At normal times, airlines recommend that passengers arrive at the airport around two hours before departure. Currently, some airlines are calling for four hours. However, frequent flyers usually do not plan for such a large cushion of time, but are only at the airport 60–90 minutes before departure.

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Check-in times To check bags or check in at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. – 45 minutes. To or from destinations outside the U.S. – 60 minutes.

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Depending on the airline, travelers may be charged a rebooking fee to get on another flight. Some airlines may also charge the difference in airfare — meaning a missed flight can be a costly inconvenience.

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As a general rule, you should arrive at the airport no less than an hour before a domestic flight. Ninety minutes to two hours is a safer bet, and most airports, such as London Heathrow and London Gatwick, recommend that you get to the airport two hours before a domestic or European flight.

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If you book a 6AM domestic flight, for example, you'll need to arrive at the airport by 4AM. Depending on how far you live from the airport, this could mean getting on the road around 3AM or 3:30AM; traffic should be minimal at this time, as should check-in and security lines.

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The general guideline on how early to get to the airport for a domestic flight is 2 hours. However, those traveling at a very busy time of year or out of a large airport might want to allow more time.

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If you book a 6AM domestic flight, for example, you'll need to arrive at the airport by 4AM. Depending on how far you live from the airport, this could mean getting on the road around 3AM or 3:30AM; traffic should be minimal at this time, as should check-in and security lines.

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There's much less demand to fly at 6 a.m. than there is at, say, 9 a.m., and that reality is often reflected in the fares charged for a given route.

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Are flights busy at 6AM? The probability for a delay is at its lowest (20% or below) from 6am – 11am. Early morning flights have less runway traffic, planes ready to take off from the night before, and fewer planes already in the air. Days of the week can impact the ticket price, along with delays.

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If I have a 5am flight, do I still need to arrive early? What time does the airport open? TSA and the airlines recommend that all travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance of their flight departure time to ensure they have enough time to check in with their airline and go through security.

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Booking a flight in the morning also increases your chances of being rebooked on another flight departing that day if your original flight is canceled. Beyond delays and cancelations, early morning flights have the added perk of being less prone to turbulence.

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  1. 1 // don't just set one alarm. set 20.
  2. 2 // don't drink coffee yet!
  3. 3 // have 99% of your packing done.
  4. 4 // make a morning checklist.
  5. 5 // check security wait times.
  6. 6 // know in advance your transport options.
  7. 7 // set aside rest time in the middle of your day.


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Beyond delays and cancelations, early morning flights have the added perk of being less prone to turbulence.

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Best Time of Day to Fly This means leaving early morning and late at night. The bright spot to getting up early or arriving late at your destination is that these flight times, like ones at 6 am or earlier or the redeye, tend to be less crowded, resulting in a more comfortable and less stressful trip.

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Early Morning Flight? Sleep in Longer with these Tips
  1. Pack Strategically According to your Travel Day Itinerary. ...
  2. Prioritize Shower + Personal Care the Night Before. ...
  3. Pre-Set Your Travel Day Outfit. ...
  4. Go to Sleep Early. ...
  5. Check In the Day Before. ...
  6. Get TSA Pre-check Access. ...
  7. Weigh Your Bags at Home. ...
  8. Schedule Your Ride Ahead of Time.


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Why not try a different season? As a general rule, flying in quiet months between holidays is your best bet to get a cheap, less crowded flight. You should definitely try the second half of January, the first days of February, early May, or the most part of September and October.

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To check-in and check bags at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. – 45 minutes. To or from destinations outside the U.S. – 60 minutes.

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