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How much time do you really need at the airport?

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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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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The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. 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.

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Normal circumstances should process you through security within 20 minutes (from entering the line to putting your shoes back on). If you're flying out of a smaller airport, it's not unreasonable to expect even a fraction of that time.

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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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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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As with so many things in travel, there's a simple answer — and a complicated one. The simple answer is: Two hours for domestic flights, three hours for international flights. More or less.

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If you check in online in advance and don't have to check any luggage, you can be at the airport t 90 minutes for domestic flights. In general, most airlines recommend being at the airport at least two hours before departure.

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It should take between 15 and 20 minutes to get through airport security. However, it can take longer during busy periods of the year. At LJLA, we recommend passengers arrive between two and three hours before departure. For peace of mind, we offer fast-track car parking options, as well as fast-track security passes.

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Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Clear TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that allows those who are enrolled to go through an airport security line that is usually shorter and faster than the regular line.

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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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The recommended layover time for domestic flights is normally one hour. However, as previously stated, you may require longer if your flights are booked with two different airlines, if you are traveling to a very busy airport or if you require special assistance.

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If you check in online in advance and don't have to check any luggage, you can be at the airport t 90 minutes for domestic flights. In general, most airlines recommend being at the airport at least two hours before departure.

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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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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).

MORE DETAILS

Check-in desks close exactly 40 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. EasyJet recommends you check in at least two hours before the scheduled departure time. All passengers must provide a valid form of photo ID at check-in on all flights, including domestic routes. Go straight to security at the airport.

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Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Clear
TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that allows those who are enrolled to go through an airport security line that is usually shorter and faster than the regular line.

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Online check-in lets you check in from your home or office and print your own boarding pass. You can also choose to have a link to your boarding pass emailed to your mobile device.

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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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If you're only taking a carry-on, you can usually go straight to security. However, it is always a good idea to check with the airline before you go to the airport. Some airlines may require you to check in even if you are only taking a carry-on.

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What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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Most airlines cutoff checkin at 30 minutes prior to the flight. That gives time for you to get a boarding pass and get to the gate after security screening, and for checked luggage to get loaded on your aircraft. At that point, seat control shifts to the gate agent who can start releasing seats to standby passengers.

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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.

MORE DETAILS