When traveling by air, it is important to plan ahead and arrive at the airport in time for your flight. Depending on the type of flight you are taking, there are different arrival times that should be taken into consideration. This article will explain the recommended arrival times for domestic and international flights, busiest days/times at the airport, check-in process and other information related to international flights.
Arrival Times:
For most domestic flights, arriving at the airport 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure is usually sufficient. For international flights, arriving at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time is necessary if you have baggage to check-in. If you are not checking bags or flying domestically, you must arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure. It is always better to have 30 minutes to spare when travelling by air.
Busy Airport Days/Times:
Some airlines recommend to arrive earlier at the airport on Friday and Sunday evenings while some airports suggest air travelers to reach an hour earlier at the airport than the recommended time during the peak international flight time that is between 11 AM to 2 PM and 8 PM to 11 PM. Apart from that, weekday hours that are considered busy are 10AM – 12PM and 5PM – 7PM.
Check-In Process:
The check-in process involves the following steps:
- Checking your luggage
- Getting a boarding pass
- Going through security screening
- Immigration (for international flights)
- Boarding the plane
International Flights:
For most international flights, arriving at the airport 2 hours before your flight is the ideal to check your baggage, get your boarding pass, go through immigration and board your flight. If you have an intercontinental flight and you want to play it safe , arriving at the airport 3 hours before your flight is a good idea.
It is highly recommended to contact your airline as times may vary depending on the airport and date of travel. In addition, it is wise to allow extra time for any unexpected delays such as traffic jams or long queues.
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