Newark Liberty - how early should I be there?
Aug 11th, 2009, 04:42 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Newark Liberty - how early should I be there?
We don't fly that often (haven't in 3 years now), so I'm never quite sure how early to arrive at the airport. We are flying out of Newark Liberty on Continental Air at 5:30AM. I'm assuming that the airport is kind of slow that early. Do I really need to be there 2 hours ahead, or is 1.5 a safe enough margin??
Aug 11th, 2009, 05:20 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CO actually advises 1.5 hours for EWR at that time, 2 if ti is a Monday morning. You can check in online 24 hours prior to your flight and avoid having to do that at the airport. Even if you have bags to check, it saves time. EWR is a fortress hub and can get quite busy. I would not chance arriving much less than 1.5 hours if checking bags.
Aug 12th, 2009, 10:54 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's what CO says for airport processing time at EWR:
Note: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays require 2 - 2 1/2 hours and all international departures require 2 1/2 3 hours. An additional 1/2 hour is required on Monday mornings.
I suspect the CO time estimates are based on having to check in, check bags and clear security. Online check in (OLCI) is a big help. If you do OLCI there are kiosks where you can drop your bag which move faster than check in lines. If you do OLCI and have no bags to check you have to contend only with security. In Terminal C where most CO gates are located there are 3 security checkpoints. Sometimes when one is clogged another is more fluid. Lines can be substantial but they usually move pretty well. They do have Elite Access lines for security, but there are so many elites at the hub that sometimes the standard line moves faster.
Note: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays require 2 - 2 1/2 hours and all international departures require 2 1/2 3 hours. An additional 1/2 hour is required on Monday mornings.
I suspect the CO time estimates are based on having to check in, check bags and clear security. Online check in (OLCI) is a big help. If you do OLCI there are kiosks where you can drop your bag which move faster than check in lines. If you do OLCI and have no bags to check you have to contend only with security. In Terminal C where most CO gates are located there are 3 security checkpoints. Sometimes when one is clogged another is more fluid. Lines can be substantial but they usually move pretty well. They do have Elite Access lines for security, but there are so many elites at the hub that sometimes the standard line moves faster.
Aug 12th, 2009, 06:34 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks again. I finally found that info on the CO website, too. We have a 5:30am Wed flight so I'm not too worried. They say 1.5 hrs for peek time (which starts an hour later than our flight). I will be doing OLCI also. So, as long as there are no bad highway backups, we should be in good shape. Even sprung for a limo to take us, so we don't have to drive at 2:00 in the morning.
You've been a great help. Fodorites are the best!
You've been a great help. Fodorites are the best!
Jun 29th, 2016, 01:57 PM
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's busy, and security has been heightened since the Istanbul bombings yesterday; I'd arrive no later than 6:30 if you have to drop off a bag (and I'd still make sure I was fully checked in online before the flight).
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sfowler
United States
25
Aug 22nd, 2006 08:27 AM
