how long before my flight should i get to the airport?

[aphex]

just curious... my flight leaves at 9:15am

 

[RossMAN]

Which airport are you departing from and where are you travelling to?

I was told at least 2 hours for domestic flights and I dunno how long for international flights.

 

[aphex]

Orlando to Newark

 

[Xanthus2k]

newspaper said 3 hrs, also depends on day/time though, wednesdays you have to show up even earlier

 

[Looney]

I would get there at least an hour early. Better to be early than late... bring a book or magazine incase you do arrive early.

 

[Looney]

Holy crap 3 hours? I would call ahead and ask them, i'm sure there's a number on your ticket somewhere. 3 hours seems very early, but it could be because of all the security now.

 

[RossMAN]

Sheesh 3 hours I hope that's not right, that's an insane amount of time just for a freakin' domestic flight.

Word of advice bring NOTHING that can be used as a weapon. Be prepared to have all your luggage and carry on stuff searched at random.

 

[LethalWolfe]

I would say 2-3hrs early. 2 hrs being the absolute min. I flew out of LAX in Mid-oct and missed my scheduled flight 'cause I only got there an 1.5hrs before the flight left. This was a flight from LA to Indiana, btw.


Lethal

EDIT: What takes so long is that everyone has to check in at the counter. No gate check in, and not curb side luggage check. 75% of yer time is spent waiting to get to the counter to check in.

 

[Sluggo]

More than anything it depends on what airport you are flying out of, what day of the week, and what time of the morning.

 

[goldboyd]

Check the airlines website too. Southwest lists all the airports they fly out of and how early the recommend getting there for each of them.

 

[Jfur]

Dropped my Mom off Saturday -- she had to be there (at check in counter) 2 hours early

 

[shopbruin]

i'm leaving three hours early - but one of those hours accounts of the trip to the airport.

freaking amazing... 12 miles from the airport and it takes an hour to get there. damn la traffic.

 

[carmeo]

Anytime b4 it crashes. :Q

joke, joke. Have a safe trip!

 

[cavingjan]

Most of our folks here at the office have been able to get through the airports within 2-2.5 hours for major airports (BWI and Dulles). One of them actually made it to the gate in less than 75 minutes (this is all post 9/11). Small regional airports (puddle-jumpers only) still only take 45 minutes or so.
Wednesday is the most heavily travelled day of the year in the US. Traditionally you could expect double the time to get through the lines but this year I'm not sure what to tell you. Personally I would get there around 7. You miss (maybe catch the tail end of) the early bird business travellers and should make it through before all the people who have never flown before (not everybody is like this but the 15% that are really bog things down) and haven't got a clue arrive at the airport. I usually just sit at the bar and read a book. 2-3 hour wait prior to your flight is better than the uncertain 6 hour wait for a possible seat on a later flight because you missed your flight.

 

[ericb]

Assume two hours at least. There are some curb side baggage checks now. Depends on the time too, 6am and 10pm are a lot lighter than 10am or 6pm. Expect to be stopped and searched by security at any time, even at the gate. Flying to Orlando myself Friday so I'm hoping it's not going to be so bad.