A Business Traveler, Efficiency Expert, and the TSA on How Early to Get to the Airport
Is it four hours, 40 minutes, or something in between? Of course, how early to get to the airport is ultimately a personal preference, but we gathered three key experts to get their takes on the debate.
Navigating the skies is one thing; navigating the airport is another. We’ve all felt that same knot in our stomachs—the anxiety of deciding just how early to arrive for your flight. Should you beat the sunrise for an afternoon departure? Or can you stroll in just before the gate agent calls for boarding group E?
With summer officially here, we consulted a number of flying experts to help you determine exactly when you need to roll out of bed and find your passport. A seasoned business traveler, a TSA official, and an efficiency expert all gave us their tips to help ease your anxiety and allow you to cruise to your gate with ease.
The business traveler: ‘The earlier, the better’
Matthew Urquijo, a frequent business traveler who flies at least once a month for work, has called airports his second home for years. During all the time he's spent in various terminals, he’s picked up a few tips and tricks for a breezy flying experience. “I like to get to the airport early, just in case the TSA PreCheck line is closed,” Urquijo says.
His strategy is booking flights for early departures because, as an AAA Northeast report found, earlier flights are less likely to be canceled or delayed compared to flights in the evening and night.
The digital communications professional shared that he arrives at the airport two hours early for a domestic flight and three hours early for an international flight.
“I tend to take a business call or work on my laptop, and I like to get my snacks and anything I need to travel well in advance,” Urquijo says.
Urquijo takes his preparation a step further by downloading an app for the airline he is flying with to receive alerts for delays or cancellations. He also suggests travelers familiarize themselves with the airport map before arriving.“I like to be cautious when I travel because I tend to fly out of busy airports, where it’s very unpredictable,” he says.
Unpredictability is why he believes arriving early is the best method.
“Have I ever missed a flight because I got to the airport early? Luckily, that’s never been a situation for me.”
The efficiency expert: ‘One size doesn’t fit all’
"Efficiency and reducing travel stress are paramount, and being well-prepared in advance is key," says Lucas Meek, author of The Efficient Hustle, a book and blog of the same name focused on production management in the music touring industry.
Meek, a freelance audio engineer for nearly 20 years, has traveled extensively with bands for concerts and festivals, visiting all 50 states and 40 countries.
His philosophy is simple: "Show up several hours before the flight, depending on how much stuff you're taking."
For those traveling with lots of equipment, he recommends arriving at the airport two and a half to three hours before a domestic flight and at least three hours before an international flight. This approach is designed to reduce the time spent in airports, as traveling with a band often means limited sleep before the next flight.
However, Meek emphasizes that there’s no "one size fits all" approach to travel. For domestic trips without checked baggage, he suggests arriving an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes before the flight.
Since starting his blog in 2019 and becoming a licensed private pilot in 2016, Meek has advocated for reducing stress as the key to successful travel. He advises travelers to be mindful of luggage requirements to streamline their journeys.
“Don’t be one of those people at the airport with their luggage open, trying to move stuff around because you waited until you got to the airport to determine if your bag was going to be overweight or not,” he says.
The TSA: ‘Plan ahead and pay attention to peak hours’
Summer is the season when the world feels like it's on the move. Sun-soaked beaches, lively music festivals, and camping under star-filled skies are just a few reasons why airports will be bustling.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), May and early June already saw 10 of the year’s busiest travel days. They predict a 6 to 8 percent increase in passenger volume compared to last year and expect to handle upwards of 30 million travelers in a single day on their busiest days.
“Airports experience high traffic periods, just like roads,” explained R. Carter Langston, with the TSA. “So, if you’re flying early in the morning or late in the afternoon, think 4 pm to 6 pm, expect it to be a bit busier.”
For those fortunate enough to have TSA PreCheck, the security checkpoint wait is usually 10 minutes or less. For everyone else, it’s typically 30 minutes or less in the standard screening lanes, though it can be longer during peak times. “The very best way to get through the checkpoint is to begin your trip by packing an empty bag to ensure there’s no unintentional prohibited item,” Langston says.
After all, you wouldn’t want to be the one holding up the line because you packed a weed wacker, ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors, or Freddy Krueger’s killer glove. And for the record, TSA still isn’t cool with snakes on a plane.
And yes, playing it safe and arriving early can mean spending a fair amount of time in the airport. So, use that time to explore the facilities—you never know what you might find. In the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, for example, you can peruse a secondhand bookstore, and at Newark Liberty, you can find a sensory room for neurodivergent travelers.
Or, you can always use the extra time to FaceTime your mom, enjoy a drink to calm your pre-flight jitters, or even try out some airport yoga. Your travel journey can begin well before take-off.