How to Actually Decide When to Arrive Early at the Airport
For decades, conventional wisdom has advised arriving at the airport three hours before an international flight. But where did this travel advice come from? And he still holds water? Let’s find out.
What does TSA recommend?
The Transportation Security Administration doesn’t really make official recommendations about when to show up at the airport before an international flight. According to their directions, “You are advised to contact your airline as times may vary depending on the airport and date of travel. In general, please allow time for parking/transfer, check-in, boarding pass, and security screening, which includes checking your carry-on baggage.”
Never going so far as to approve the “three-hour rule,” the Transportation Security Administration recently released a statement about the upcoming tourist season, warning travelers that long waiting times are expected this summer. They explain that “the ongoing recovery from low travel volumes during the pandemic may require more patience and planning than was needed before the pandemic.” TSA Administrator David Pekoske is quoted talking about the agency’s hiring and staffing efforts, suggesting they expect a staffing shortage this summer that won’t help that security line move faster.
Airline recommendation
The four major US international airlines ( American Airlines , United Airlines , Delta Airlines , and JetBlue ) recommend arriving at the airport three hours before your scheduled international departure. Curiously, given my investigation above, United Airlines cites the TSA as the source for its advice, while maintaining secrecy as to who prepared the advice in the first place.
How to know how early to arrive at the airport
Better safe than sorry is certainly true when it comes to expensive plane tickets, and arriving three hours before departure will certainly get you to the boarding gate on time. Having said that, do you really need that long? Here are the various factors to consider when choosing your arrival time:
Do you have TSA pre-screening? Getting through security will save you more time than anything else. TSA advertises shorter wait times for those who sign up for TSA PreCheck, and while the exact amount of time you save will vary from ride to ride, you will undoubtedly wait less time than without it. The TSA Wait Times website can give you a rough estimate of current waiting times at airports across the country.
Are you checking your bag? I have had occasions where I have waited half an hour to check in my baggage and I have had occasions where it was done in five minutes. This is a real wild card. The only way to avoid this waste of time is to not check the bag at all, so consider the average wait time (say 15 minutes, more or less, depending on the overall TSA wait estimate above) and add or subtract it to the arrival time accordingly.
Do you park your car? Anyone who parked their car at the airport and had to take a shuttle bus to get to the terminal knows that this can be a problem. (If you’re lucky enough to have a friend ready to drop you straight to your terminal, God forbid.)
Can you check in in advance? To reduce the chance of being delayed on your flight , you should check in at least 24 hours before departure in any case. While most airlines allow you to check in at a kiosk these days, there are times when you may need to check in with an escort, so be sure to schedule that time if you do.
Have you been to this airport before? It is quite reasonable to assume that it will take you some time to get comfortable in a new place. If this isn’t your first flight to that particular airport, it’s worth considering.
How big is the airport? Not all airports are the same. Denver International Airport covers an area of 52.4 square miles , while Rhode Island TF Green International Airport covers only 1,100 acres . You just don’t have to spend that much time getting to your gate when it can’t be that far.
So three hours is too much?
Considering the factors outlined above, it may be reasonable to shorten your arrival time by as much as an hour. if you’re heading to a small familiar airport and don’t park or check your bag. Consider factors you have no control over, most notably TSA waiting times, and plan accordingly. Ultimately, it’s about matching your schedule to your comfort, risk, and anxiety levels. Yes, you’ll probably be fine if you get to the airport with less time to spare, but rushing comes with its own challenges. My personal guiding light has always been this Late Night tweet with Seth Meyers screenwriter Mike Scollins advising: “Start with 100 points. Subtract 1 point for every minute spent at the gate before boarding. It’s the grade you get for going to the airport.” Let your trips to the airport be an unbroken streak of straight fives.