Transportation 101: How to Determine When to Arrive at the Airport
Each day, there are over 87,000 flights across the United States. That's a lot of passengers moving through airport security, terminals, and gates.
Make sure you don't miss your flight by understanding when to arrive at the airport. Here's what you need to know.
Download and Use Your Airline’s App
One way to know when to arrive at the airport is to do as much as you can ahead of time.
Download your airline's app so that you can check-in, confirm your flight time and so on.
This way, when you arrive at the airport, all you need to do is get through security and find your gate.
Many airlines will let you check-in through their app (or online) up to 24-hours before your flight.
Check Real-Time Reports
Another way to know how early to arrive for flight is to check the flight status in real-time.
Flight tracking sites let you see flight statuses, on-time performances, weather conditions, and even the flight history of your specific aircraft.
So, if your flight is delayed, you'll know about it right away.
Understand that Departure Time is Not Equal to Doors Closed Time
If your flight is scheduled to leave at 2:15 pm that doesn't mean that you can board at the last minute.
Most airlines will stop boarding 15-30 minutes before the departure time. Your boarding pass should say when the doors close.
Make sure you use that time as your deadline to make sure you get to your flight on time.
Keep in mind, if the flight is full, your flight will close the doors and leave early! It's wise to be organized for a hassle-free business flight.
Recommended Time When to Arrive at the Airport
Always think about if you are flying on peak days and times, and how many people you are traveling with. A group travelling together will move slower than a solo traveler.
Also, if you are checking bags or need to check-in at the counter, that will add to your total time.
Here are the recommended times for how early to get to the airport.
Domestic Flights
Most airlines recommend that you arrive at the airport two hours prior to a domestic flight. This is a good rule if you are worried about missing your flight.
If you need to check bags, always follow this rule. However, if you check-in online and only have a carry-on bag, 90 minutes is more than enough time for you to get past security and to your seat.
International Flights
International flights require a bit more preparation. So a good rule is to arrive at the airport three hours prior to international departures.
Keep in mind that international travel often involves connecting flights so you really don't want to risk missing your flight!
Play it safe and arrive three hours early even if you check-in online.
Get Ready to Fly!
There you have it! Everything you need to know about when to arrive at the airport.
The best thing you can do to get to your gate efficiently is to be prepared. Have your boarding pass and identification handy. Follow security guidelines and pack a snack for waiting at the gate.
Now, contact us to book your airport transportation today.
