Are there any airports where you recommend travelers arrive extra early? Many airports now recommend arriving at least two hours before your scheduled flight time for a domestic flight. If you are traveling internationally, they recommend up to three hours for check-in.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sets the Threat Advisory Level. This level has become very important, especially after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The levels go from green at the lowest, through blue, yellow, orange with red being the highest. The higher the level, the longer it may take to get through airport check-in security. With there being three basic points or processes to pass through to reach the aircraft, bottlenecks will occur. Look around for the shortest lines, but make sure you are in the correct line first.
Many airports now recommend arriving at least two hours before your scheduled flight time for a domestic flight. If you are traveling internationally, they recommend up to three hours for check-in. Of course, do not forget to calculate the time needed for dealing with either parking your vehicle or arranging for transportation to the terminal. There are several holiday peak travel times throughout the year, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. With extra travelers, luggage and the potential for bad weather and delays, give yourself time to get everything done with lower stress levels.
"Sure. As a general rule, the larger the airport or the busier the travel season, the more time it will take you to check in, get through security, and get to your gate. But again, the time needed will vary depending on the airport, time of year, and even time of day. Most airlines and airports offer suggested arrival times on their websites or over the phone," said Paula Berg of Southwest Airlines.
Airports that are undergoing major renovations or construction may have alternate routes for parking and terminal access. You may have to enter at one terminal in order to reach another. You should arrive these airports for early check-in as construction changes the landscape regularly until completion. Security may also be tighter because of the potential confusion. A quick check of the airport's web site on the Internet can give you a heads up on where the congestion is located. They frequently mention alternatives to dealing with the particular situation.
Certain airports may be considered at a higher risk because of their location or because they are a major hub for air traffic. Airports such as Dallas/Ft. Worth International, Logan International in Boston and Chicago's O'Hare funnel large amounts of air traffic. They are busy and crowded. Extra time may be needed because of this. Airports on either coast are major jumping off points for international travel. You may run into persons from other countries trying to work their way through the system.
Any airport that just had a security breach requires the TSA to empty the entire terminal and perform a thorough check. This will certainly add a long delay to your trip and cause you to miss connecting flights. Make sure you correctly handle transporting any hazardous items that require checked baggage. If you have to remove an item and take it back to your car, you are losing time. That will erase any early time you gained yourself.
