With summer travel in full swing, airports worldwide have become busier than ever. If you’re following the news, you must’ve read how crazy the situation is nowadays at the airports. Increased demand and staffing shortages are causing logjams, longer layovers, cancelled flights, and huge delays. During these times, it’s essential to leave early enough to have time to check your bags, make it through security queues, and grab some snacks before boarding.
Our decades-long experience with airport transfers has taught us a thing or two about flight procedures. We have explained everything from how early you should get for each kind of flight and some useful tips to avoid missing your flights. Let’s get aboard!
How Early Should I Get to the Airport for Domestic Flights?
If you’re flying domestically within UK or Europe, your airline would suggest you get to the airport at least 90 minutes before departure time. However, considering the crowd and staff shortages, arriving two hours before is better. This way you won’t have to worry about the traffic or long queues at the airport and eliminate all the risks of missing the flight.
It takes approximately 30 minutes (if queues aren’t too long) for baggage screening procedures, and then you have to go through the security checkpoint. These procedures are not as stringent as international security checks; still, they can take 30–40 minutes. If you complete all the requirements early, you’ll have time to grab some magazines and coffee and organise everything before getting on the flight.
How Early Should I Get to the Airport for International Flights
For international flights, most things depend on the destination. For example, the flights to the US will be more crowded, and there will be heightened security checks taking more time than usual.
Arriving four hours before your departure time is the safest option when it comes to international flights. Instead of relying on the standard tome for security lines and screening, allow more time not to risk missing your flight or running out of time. Sometimes flights may get cancelled or rescheduled; don’t panic; look for the next best option and ask for compensation.
Learn the Difference Between Check-In, Boarding, and Departure Time
Many passengers either arrive too early or too late at the airport because they miscalculated the overall time for checking in, boarding and departure. These three are different processes and include different requirements.
Check-in time is when airline doors open, and they welcome you. This process will include baggage checking followed by boarding time. There are generally 20 minutes for boarding, and the plane leaves the gate at the departure time. Make sure you reach the plan within the boarding flight to avoid missing it.
Tips to Avoid Missing Your Flight
Give Yourself Extra Time
Even after reaching the airport in time and clearing securities, you can still miss your flight. Once the boarding gates close, you may not board the flight.
You must’ve seen many movies where the main character is running to the gate at the last moment, and the airline opens the gate for them; in reality, that’s not how it works. Make sure you give yourself some extra time at the airport to reach the boarding early because the airlines these days have additional procedures due to COVID-19. Also, some airports have stopped making announcements, so you may miss your boarding call while getting your caramel iced macchiato.
Check In Online
Online check-ins have made things much easier for travellers, and almost all airlines offer this feature. You don’t need to stand in long queues and get an electronic copy of your boarding pass that you can print. After you check in online, the airline app will also tell you the suggested time to arrive for boarding. However, make sure you reach earlier than that.
Finish Packing in Advance
Everyone dreads packing, and they procrastinate most things until the last minute; this leads to forgetting essential stuff at home or reaching the airport late. No matter how strenuous packing seems, make sure you complete it a day before. When you’re done packing, almost 80% of your worries are gone before travelling. Check out some packing tips here.
Avoid Busier Travel Times
It’s a no-brainer—travelling on holidays like Christmas, thanksgiving, etc., will be more challenging than usual days. This is when most people miss their flights or experience delays and cancellations. If possible, try to travel on the days when the airlines are not that busy to avoid all the chaos.
Stay Relaxed
Sometimes overworking yourself can cause health issues, and you may not be able to enjoy your trip. Stay calm and relaxed, follow all the instructions, remain proactive, and everything will go smoothly. Most people experience trouble sleeping the night before due to anxiety or excitement, but ensure you get enough sleep at night.
Ask for Help
Whether you’re a frequent traveller or it’s your first time, there will be times when you need help. Get in touch with the airport staff or others for assistance. Ensure you clearly ask all the questions and know everything necessary to avoid confusion. Even if you’re running late, you can still try and ask them to accommodate you, and they might.
Pre-book Airport Transfers
If you don’t have someone dropping you off at the airport, pre-book an airport transfer instead of relying on public transport and local taxis. Public transport and other taxis are unreliable, and you may miss your flight. Airport transfer companies like Go Comfort allow you to prebook a taxi of your choice and will pick you up at the right time. Our drivers are experienced, and they know which route to take to avoid the traffic. In addition, you will be relaxed and not have to worry about the transport at the last minute.
At Go Comfort, we offer premier taxi in Southampton for airport transfers and cruise transfers. No matter if you need to travel at odd times or have a lot of luggage, our team will accommodate all your requirements. Contact us now for details.