Branv

My husband is a stickler...even though we are fairly close to the airport, we leave 2.5 hours ahead of time, usually meaning we are standing in the ticket line 2 hours to 1hr45min prior to our flight. I have to say, we've flown out of Dallas, Houston, Austin, Banff and Vegas since 9/11 and have yet to have spent an hour getting through ticketing/security, like some reports I've read. Banff was the longest...that was about 40 minutes, mainly due to Xmas/New Years Eve travel. If I had my choice, if I already have my tickets/reservation (which we always do), I'd plan to be in the check-in line an hour in advance...

SO, just wondering, what is your usual plan for air travel...how soon before your flight are you in line at check-in?

J_Correa

I'm usually there about an hour and a half before my flight.

doc_

Rushing thru the airport is something I hate to do. 1 1/2 hours is usually what I would do as well

RichinPA

Flew out of newark last month to Hawaii with 4 large bags, and got there about 2 hours bfore flight and actually sat for about 1 hour 15 minutes after checking in and getting to gate. I would think 1 1/2 hrs would be fine anywhere

DebbieJ

It depends on the airport and the airline.

If I'm flying out of LAX Terminal One (America West and Southwest), I give myself more time because the security line is notoriously long there. Other terminals aren't so bad. Just flew Delta out of Terminal 6 last week and it was really fast, although the TSA workers were quite rude.

Flying out of Burbank, on the other hand, is a piece of cake! Did that the week before last and it couldn't have been smoother. Didn't even have to take off my shoes like they made me do at LAX (I was wearing Keds for goodness sakes!)

I hate sitting around at the airport, so I try to keep the waiting down to a minimum while still being on time for boarding. That varies at every airport, but the 1 1/2 hours everyone else suggested should be plenty.

irishdame

Just because they are Keds they can't have explosives in them?

Surfrider

As someone said, depends on the airport. If curbside check-in and kiosk for boarding passes, 75 minues, regardles of time of day.

Going international, in line inside by 90 minutes before departure.

Foreign airports vary - some 2 hours, some 3 hours.

ChristieP

I fly out of DFW, and I get to the airport about an hour before my flight. Since DFW has multiple secuirty lanes and multiple checkpoints, the longest I have waited in line since the TSA took over was 10 minutes. I use the kiosks to print my boarding pass, which also saves time.

Altoona

I like to get to the airport at least 1.5 hrs. before departure so that I am not rushed and can enjoy a small bite to eat before boarding the plane.

pinstripesboy

I can't handle rushing through the airport so I am always there at least 90 minutes before my flight. Perhaps I am weird, but one of my favorite airport pastimes is watching people walk by.

Chele60

Normally an hour and half. That seems to allow plenty of time without rushing. However, if I'm traveling with my mother, we HAVE to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours before. (She hates to be late for anything - go figure) That's one of the reasons I like to take the shuttle. Even though I can tell them what time to pick us up, she is not savy about that, so I can tell her "it's what the shuttle told me" and she puts up with it.

Austin

This past trip got to airports 1.5 hours early. Each time we waited about an hour once we got there. But I'd rather wait in the airport than stress about it at home. I'm "that way".

Of course, it's going to depend on the airport and the time of day, etc. At the Austin Airport, check in was a breeze. Everything (checked baggage) done with the X-ray machines. In Albany, all checked bags are hand inspected while you wait. Also, seemed to be more random searches of carry-ons in Albany.

suzanne

When I am by myself and have no luggage to check: 1 hour

When I do have luggage to check: 1-1.5 hours

When I travel with my boyfriend: 3 hours because he will just die if he doesn't get an exit-row seat for his long legs.

iceeu2

2 hours

SaraLM

I have what I think is an unreasonable fear of missing my plane so I am a nervous mess until I get to the airport. Once I am checked in I feel just fine. So I am usually there long before I need to be but I always allow 2 hours (I also live 2 hours away so I have to allow for drive time and of course potential accidents). I think if I would just miss a flight and have to deal with it I would be less weird about it but if that is my biggest weirdness attribute I am lucky!

panhandle

1.5 Hours when leaving for vacation.
Much less when returning!**Shrugs**
Never been able to figure out why.

GoTravel

30-45 minutes domestic and 2 hours international.

BoulderCO

1.5 hours for domestic flights with checked luggage, 1 hour if carryon luggage only, 2 to 2.5 hours for international flights.

rebecca

I flew out of Baltimore July 20th and have never seen security lines as long as they were. For those of you familiar with BWI, they stretched clear down the concourse that is to the left if you're facing the "ticketed passengers only" area. It was easily a 3 hour line. Anyone flying out of there I'd reccomend giving yourself at least 3 hours.

unclebill

Like most husbands, I prefer to be at the airport at least an hour before a flight from a small airport and two hours from a major. I find it is easier to get through all the lines if you look relaxed and not in a hurry - profiling, you know.