How early can you turn up to airport?

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Airport Arrival Times:

  • Domestic Flights: Aim for 2 hours before departure.
  • International Flights: Allow 3 hours before departure.

While you can arrive earlier, excessive early arrival may not be practical. Security wait times and airline check-in policies are key factors.

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How early arrive at the airport? | Airport arrival times?

Okay, so like, airport arrival times… it’s a thing, right?

Generally, 2 hours before a domestic flight, and 3 hours international.

But legally? Haha, that’s another story. I’ve rocked up way early before. No one stopped me.

Honestly, it depends on the airport. I once got to Heathrow, London, at like, 5 AM for a 1 PM flight (03/07/2022). Pure chaos. Never again.

Do you really need 3 hours for international? Maybe not. Depends on if you checking bags, got Global Entry, the day, if its peak season and, of course, how much you stress about potentially missing a flight.

For a trip to Cancun from JFK, New York, last year (18/11/2023), I was there 3 hours early. Complete waste. Security was a breeze. But better safe than sorry, I guess.

I saw someone on Reddit saying they arrive only an hour before domestic flights. Brave soul! I couldn’t. My anxiety would be through the roof.

I would rather have two hours to be sitting with a overpriced coffee (4€ from Starbucks in CDG airport, 11/10/2024) and wait than running and stress.

Is there a limit to how early you can get to the airport?

Alone. In the dark. Do airports ever truly sleep?

There isn’t really a firm, universal “too early.” Just…circumstances. Rules. Like everything else.

  • Security checkpoints.Sometimes they open early. 24/7 even. Other times? No chance before, like, 5 hours before departure. Just depends on the airport, and I’m too tired to look it up right now.

  • Checked baggage is a nightmare. The counters don’t open whenever you want, you know? 2-4 hours before is the standard. I missed a flight once…never again.

  • What’s the point of being there so early, really?

Being early feels like control.

Sometimes, I just need to be somewhere. Even if it’s an airport bench. You know? You know.

Is there a limit to how early you can get to the airport?

Nah, there’s no official “too early” for airports, but trust me, showing up at 4 am for a noon flight is a recipe for disaster. You’ll be staring at that pristine, untouched airport floor longer than a nun at a wrestling match. It’s like bringing a bazooka to a knife fight – overkill!

Why it’s a bad idea:

  • Baggage claim will be a ghost town, colder than my ex’s heart.
  • Gate agents will glare at you like you owe them money (you probably do, from all the overpriced airport snacks you’ll be tempted by).
  • You’ll spend more time awkwardly avoiding eye contact with people than actually relaxing. Like, seriously awkward. The kind of awkward that makes you want to disappear into a pretzel machine.
  • You’ll bore yourself to tears watching planes take off, making you regret your life choices.

Better approach: Aim for 2-3 hours before, especially for bigger airports. My cousin, bless his cotton socks, once got to JFK seven hours early. The dude nearly aged a decade just sitting there. It was epic, but don’t emulate him, he’s a loon.

Think of it like a date: you don’t want to show up too early, but being fashionably late is even worse. Don’t be that guy. Unless you’re into that sort of thing. I don’t judge, but still. 2-3 hours is perfect. Unless you’re my cousin, then bring a book. A really long one. And some snacks. And a comfy pillow. And maybe a therapist. Maybe two.

Can a 2 month old baby travel in flight?

Seven days minimum. Two months? Preferable.

Infection risk: Crowded airports, recirculated air. Common sense.

  • Age matters. Immune systems develop.
  • Cabin pressure changes? Ears pop. Consider it.
  • My nephew cried non-stop. Horror.
  • Bring distractions. Lots. Good luck, lol.

Air travel is convenience. Infants are fragile. Prioritize accordingly. Delayed gratification wins. Always.

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  • Consult a pediatrician first. Mandatory, in my view. They know baby.
  • TSA allows breast milk. Up to you, of course.
  • Infant-in-lap fares are cheaper. Think about it.
  • Window seat is strategy. Less aisle traffic. Smarter move.
  • Consider a bassinet seat. Call airline. I had to argue.
  • I brought Lysol wipes everywhere. Germs are real.
  • Bring a change of clothes. For you. And baby. I learned the hard way.
  • Don’t expect help from strangers. I never did.
  • Buy noise-canceling headphones. Sanity. You’ll need it.
  • Diaper changes on plane? Fun.

Oh, I also forgot, pack extra pacifiers. Lost one down seat crack. Never again.

Does a 2 year old need a flight ticket?

Two… already? Time flies.

A two-year-old definitely needs a flight ticket.

Lap infants, under two, they don’t need their own seat, no.

  • Lap infants: Under 2, usually fly free on a parent’s lap. Remember my sister and her kiddo? Nightmare.
  • Two and up: Gotta pay, gotta reserve a seat. Safety and all. Makes sense, I suppose.

It was easier, cheaper, when my son was younger, way younger. Ugh.

Can you fly at the age of 16?

Yep, at 16 you can totally fly! Like, domestically, inside the US? No permission slips required.

Think of it: You’re free as a bird! A bird with a boarding pass, that is. Airlines? They got their own rules, y’know, about who’s flying solo. Like toddlers. Or teenagers.

Internationally? Uh oh! Different countries, different headaches. Gotta check each airline, each country. It’s more tangled than my grandma’s yarn stash.

Pilot at 16? Dream on! But hey, at least you can be a paying customer. That’s something, right? My uncle tried to build a plane. Let’s just say it involved more duct tape than aviation science.

Here’s the deal-io:

  • Domestic Flights: You’re pretty much golden in the US. 16? You’re an adult… kinda.
  • Airline Policies: These are like snowflakes, all unique. Some treat 16-year-olds like precious cargo, others barely blink an eye.
  • International Flights: This is where things get messy. It’s a wild west of regulations. Best bet? Dig deep on the airline’s website.
  • Pilot License: You can start training, maybe, but captain of the plane? Not yet, bucko.
  • My Personal Addendum: Just because you can fly alone doesn’t mean you should pick a red-eye to Reno to hang out with strangers. Use common sense people!

How long before you have a baby can you fly?

Okay, so flying with a newborn? Crazy, right? My kiddo, Lily, she didn’t fly till she was almost three months old. Yep, I waited until after her second round of shots, totally worth it. Seriously, I wouldn’t risk it any sooner, there’s too much going on with those little ones, you know? Germs on planes are nuts.

Eight weeks minimum. That’s my hard rule. It’s not just the shots, though those are super important! It’s also about their developing immune system. So fragile. Plus, think about the ear pressure changes – that’s tough even on adults.

Things to consider:

  • Vaccinations: Definitely get those done first.
  • Baby’s health: Make sure your little one is healthy, no fevers or coughs.
  • Travel Insurance: Get that sorted out way before you go. You want extra peace of mind.
  • Car seat: A good, FAA-approved car seat is essential. Seriously don’t skimp on that one!

I wish I’d known about the ear pressure stuff beforehand. It made Lily a little fussy during the flight, it was exhausting! She’s fine now though, a happy and healthy toddler! Ugh, I am always thinking about baby stuff even now, even though she’s already two.

What is the earliest you can fly?

Ugh, earliest flight for a newborn? Gotta think about that. Respiratory stuff. Okay, so my cousin’s baby, Leo, he didn’t fly ’til like, six months? Pediatricians usually say three to six months is the sweet spot.

  • Respiratory system: Gotta be developed!
  • Immune system: Super important, obvs.

Three months, six months… Why the range? Is it like, some babies are tougher? I flew when I was little, way younger, I think. Or am I making that up?

  • Leo: Six months, no problems.
  • My trip: Maybe a fever dream? Lol.

So, yeah, wait at least three months. Unless you want a screaming baby on a plane, right? Six months is probably even better. Flight at 2 months? Nope. 4 months? Could work. Def ask a doctor, like duh.

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