How early should we arrive for domestic flights

Brian,

It is recommended that passangers for a domestic flight be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to their flight. However, it also depends on the airport you are departing from going and coming. For example, LAX, Ny Lagardia, chicago midway and las vegas are 2 hours. But Jackson, Mississippi is only an hour prior to your flight. You also need to take in account if you are going to a major event in certain cities. Like new orleans for mardi Gras then you can add an addition hour to the 2 hour standard. But to be safe its always best to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight. There are ways that you can lower your arrival time. for example: you can check in online for your flight 24 hours prior to your departure time and print out your boarding pass online as well when you check in. By doing this you can avoid long lines at the ticket counter, You are able to check your luggage curbside to help cut the time down as well. The main reason to arrive early is mainly because of TSA and the long lines they tend to have. I hope this helps. If you would like to know the best times to be at the airport for a certain hotel, you can call 1-800-IFLYSWA. (1-800-435-9792) and ask the agent whats the recommended time for your airport.

I always recommend arriving at the airport about 2 hours prior to your flight departure time. Check-in at the gate is typically one hour prior to your flight departure time. However, you'll always want to allow plenty of time to get through the TSA security checkpoint. The time it takes to get through there is varied; depends on how many people are traveling; how slow the people are in front of you, etc. To make things go faster, wear shoes that are easy to remove and put back on. Minimize anything you might carry in your pockets, especially loose change. Make sure any fluids you carry (shampoo, hairspray, contact lens solution) are stored in containers that are 3 ounces or less and that they are secured inside a clear, zip-top bag. It's a good idea to check with your airline before you head for the airport to see if the flights are running on time, especially yours! Also a smart move to check the TSA web site for any security updates. www.tsa.gov. Allowing yourself plenty of time to get from the curb to the gate will greatly minimize travel stress. You'll have time to relax before you board the aircraft, and your trip will be much more enjoyable.

Airport and airline officials encourage travelers to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before domestic, and two hours before international scheduled departures. This time will allow the traveler to find parking, catch the shuttle bus from the lot, check-in at the ticket counter or curbside, and clear through the security check point. Officials also encourage travelers to call their airlines 1-800 number regarding any questions you may have on the status of your flight.