Planning a trip can be quite overwhelming. After deciding on the destination, booking tickets and arranging accommodation, you need to figure out when exactly should you arrive at the airport for your flight. It is always better to have some extra time in hand before boarding your flight so that you don’t miss it. In this article, we will discuss the recommended arrival times for domestic/international flights, airport busyness on specific dates, early arrivals on Fridays & Sundays as well as intercontinental flight recommendations.
Arrival Time for Domestic/International Flights
If you are flying domestically, then you must arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure. However, if you are travelling internationally and have baggage to check-in then you will need to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. You are encouraged to contact your airline as times may vary depending on the airport and date of travel. In general, please allow time for parking/shuttle transportation, airline check-in, obtaining a boarding pass and going through the security screening process which includes screening of your carry-on bag.
Airport Busyness on Specific Dates
You may check how busy the airport is likely to be on your specific day and time of travel. Some airports suggest air travelers to reach an hour earlier than the recommended time during peak international flight hours which is between 11 AM to 2 PM and 8 PM to 11 PM. Apart from that, weekday hours that are considered busy are usually between 6 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM.
Early Arrivals on Fridays & Sundays
Some airlines recommend to arrive earlier at the airport on Friday and Sunday evenings. This is because many people tend to take flights after their work or school ends. Therefore, arriving early can help you avoid long queues and other inconveniences caused by overcrowding.
Intercontinental Flight Recommendations
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. How Early Should you be at the Airport for An International Flight in the Schengen Area. If you are flying in the Schengen area, the time requirements to arrive at the airport are lower. For example, you may arrive 45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time for short haul flights and 1 hour for medium haul flights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to plan ahead and arrive at the airport well in advance before your flight. Depending upon whether you are travelling domestically/internationally, you may need to arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes (domestic) and 90 minutes (international) prior to your scheduled departure time. Additionally, you may also consider early arrivals on Fridays & Sundays and for intercontinental flights, it is advised to arrive at the airport three hours before your flight.
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