How long before a flight should I get to the airport?

London Heathrow

Planning to check in at the airport? Heathrow recommends arriving at the check-in and bag drop desks three hours before your departure time. For flights within the UK and Europe, two hours will be plenty of time to cruise through the terminal.

If you’ve checked in online and have no bags to drop, Heathrow reckons you can get away with being at security control three hours before a long-haul flight and two hours before domestic and European flights.

London Gatwick

Gatwick asks travellers to arrive at least two hours before your flight to go through the check-in and security processes.

However, check-in opens four and three hours before long-haul and European flights, respectively. For UK and Ireland flights, check-in opens two hours before scheduled departures.

London Luton

Those leaving from Luton should make a note of boarding gate closing times – it’s an even 40 minutes across all flights.

That leaves you with a solid hour and twenty minutes to get through the pre-flight process, as check-in and bag drop desks generally open two hours before scheduled departure times.

London Stansted

Your Stansted send-off requires you to allow at least two hours before going through security, so take advantage of your airline’s online check-in or arrive earlier to do this at the desk.

For more specific advice, Stansted advises you to check your airline guidelines well in advance of your departure day.

London Southend

For flights departing from Southend, it’s best to check your airline’s instructions. Boarding gates can close between 30 and 40 minutes before scheduled departure time.

The general rule for Southend, however, is to allow at least two hours before your flight if you need to check-in or drop off bags at the desk.

Manchester

How early you should arrive at Manchester can vary quite dramatically between airlines, and many leave the decision-making up to you.

For example, Jet2 allows travellers to check in at the desk three-and-a-half hours before your flight’s departure. If you’ve checked in online and are only travelling with hand luggage, Jet2 says you can speed through the process in just 90 minutes.

The airport itself generally recommends that you allow two hours to go through security after check in, but following your airline’s guidelines here will see you through safely.

Birmingham

You can be hanging out at Birmingham airport for up to four hours if you like to travel with extra time on your hands!

Again, you should always check your airline’s instructions but at Birmingham, check-in opens four hours before your international flight and between two and three hours for your domestic and European flights.

Glasgow

Going from Glasgow? Check-in desks will open anywhere between four hours and ninety minutes before a flight’s departure time.

Rule of thumb here is to allow three hours before an international flight, two before a European flight and ninety minutes before a domestic flight. You can always check what time your airline’s check-in desk will open at Glasgow airport here.

East Midlands

Jet2 and TUI ask travellers from East Midlands airport to begin the check-in and security process three hours before your flight’s departure time.

All other airlines ask you to leave a two-hour buffer to get you through check-in and security.

Newcastle

If you’ve scored an amazing package holiday deal, Newcastle airport suggests you arrive at the airport three hours before your charter flight to ensure a smooth, stress-free process.  DIY-holidaymakers travelling on a scheduled flight, meanwhile, can stroll through two hours before the departure time.

Check-in times can vary airline by airline, however, so it’s always recommended to base your decisions on your carrier guidelines.

Edinburgh

Most carriers flying from Edinburgh airport cut off check-in 30 to 40 minutes before boarding, and gates can close as little as 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

To make sure you get through the pre-flight process smoothly, you should be prepared to check in three hours before an international flight and two hours before all other flights. For specific airlines’ check-in times, check the Edinburgh airport website here.

Leeds Bradford

Between two and three hours is enough time to get through the checkpoints at Leeds Bradford.

They recommend this regardless of whether you have checked in online or plan to do this at the desks, so use your discretion!

Belfast International Airport

Check-in desks at Belfast International Airport open two hours before most domestic flights’ scheduled departure time. For international flights, you should aim to start your check-in process three hours before you are scheduled to fly.

Though it is a relatively small airport, they have urged people to stick to these guidelines over peak travel time and especially in the busy summer months.

Liverpool

Two hours before your fly should be enough to work your way through the checkpoints at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, though your airline may advise differently so check your booking before you leave!

Cardiff

Cardiff suggests travellers arrive at the airport four hours before an international flight and two hours before a short-haul flight (four hours or less) within the UK or Europe.