So things seemed to have calmed down at airports since last year. I have to get a flight from Manchester Airport, only taking hand luggage. I was orginally thinking three hours early would be sensible for at 1pm take off. But my friend says two hours early makes more sense.
How early do you prefer to arrive?
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For hand luggage only, between 60 and 90 minutes is what I usually aim for. Three hours would be crazy in normal times.
Hand luggage only probably an hour and a half. 2-2.5 hours if I’ve got to check in or drop bags.
I don’t like to rush and I’m more than happy to chill out with a beer or coffee.
I flew from Birmingham to Belgium at the start of February. Arrived two hours early for a 6:20am flight and I was sat around waiting for an hour…
3 hours
I’m very risk averse though
At least 2 hours but I’m a pisshead and like people watching at the airport bar
If you’re checking luggage then you should look at when the check in desks open. For some companies it’s only 2 hours before the flight so there’s no point getting to the airport earlier than that.
If only hand luggage 2 hours is plenty. Manchester is fine now. If you want to do some shopping or have a meal and stuff though do you, all part of the holiday innit.
2 – 3 hours depending if I have check-in luggage. Maybe 1.5 for an internal flight, hand luggage only. I’m risk adverse but I also quite like airports!
Leave home travel time + 6 hours.
Depends on the airport. Bigger airports at least two hours. But Belfast City Airport is tiny – with hand luggage only 60 mins is sufficient.
Apart 2 and half to enjoy the lounge
When I was traveling a lot, doing two long haul returns per month, I’d be there about an hour beforehand.
Once you move up the “status” ladder with the airline, they’ll get you on pretty much come what may.
Now I travel much less, it’s two hours before the flight.
2 hours was standard pre covid so it should be fine, but if like me you don’t like been late I’d probably end up getting there about 2 and half hours early. You never know what traffic problems you could encounter getting to the airport