How to Prepare for Your First Time at the Airport in 2024

How early do you need to get to the airport? What are the best seats on a plane, and how to choose your airline seat for free? Today you'll know some airport arrival tips and hacks that can save you some nerves while security check.

Running late for your flight can put a damper on your holiday before you have even set foot in the airport. Similarly, arriving early can mean you'll be eating into your holiday budget long before you've taken off – whiling away the hours over-priced cafes and gift stores can get pricey! If you have ever missed a flight (or even come close), you know how it can disrupt your entire travel plan. Here's everything you need to know to catch your flight on time. Stay tuned!

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// ABOUT

Hey there, I'm Megan and I've spent 5+ years living and working from over 50 countries around the world. I'm on a mission to prove that anyone (even you!) can do it too.

Portable Professional is a youtube channel full of actionable tips and guides to travel, live and work from anywhere in the world. Serving seasoned digital nomads and first-time travelers alike, it's the ultimate resource to hack the travel lifestyle.

[m.scotty]

I am a person who believes early is better than late. So your waiting around the airport for a bit, it's ok. Better than rushing around, risking missing your flight, and getting your blood pressure up. Relax, it's travel day.

[Crocodile]

I know people that show up 45 minutes before takeoff. I typically show up about 2.5 hour and sit at my gate forever

[lenalee]

I'm used to traveling with my parents so i used to just follow them and do what it's need to be done. Now that i'm flying completely alone i'm scared that i might end up lost

[abigailgerlach]

The bigger/ busier the airport, the earlier you should arrive. It is rarely about check-in, and more about getting through security. I've spent ten minutes in check-in and two hours in the security line. Airports are a lesson in patience, good humor, and a certain sense of inevitability. For international flights, add Murphy's Law just to be safe!

[Repeeeet]

This will be my husband and my first time flying and you provided some helpful tips. I mentioned to my husband I wanted to be at the airport at least 2-3 hrs before watching your video. Thanks for this video.

[tammypearson]

Window seat, left side.
My husband learned the hard way to arrive early to our airport for an international trip. Now he doesn't fuss about being 4 hours early. I told him we have to remember to be 4 hours earlier than when boarding starts, not from when the plane lifts off. After missing an important connection, people do learn. Love your videos!

[letterbox]

Hi Megan, though I typically follow the recommended guideline for arriving early at the airport, I did wing it once and literally ran to the departure gate as they were preparing for take off! Also, if it's a big airport, they may change gates and it could take 1/2 hour to get to the new departure gate! Finally, if everyone arrives early for check in, they have departed early by 1/2 an hour!

[chezellis]

When I was young, I always booked the window seat. At 60, my bladder isn't what it once was, so it's always aisle now. :)

[mrslcom]

Also account for unexpected heavy traffic and motor vehicle accidents enroute to the airport especially if you are in a foreign country.

[donnalynnequick]

I prefer an aisle seat. I never thought about handedness. Thanks for that tip. I’ve never arrived for a domestic flight that early. I usually arrive 1.5 to 2 hours ahead, but it depends on what airport I’m using. A large airport like LAX is going to have much longer security lines then a smaller one.

[richwhippersnapper]

I have arrived at the gate at TPA less than 1 hour before boarding with no problem, especially for super early flights such as 5:30am. I have TSA Precheck, so I usually get through security in 2 min. I download the mobile boarding pass 24hr prior, and I don't do checked bags. International flights out of Miami are really no different than Domestic. Just you need to briefly show the gate agent your Passport as you board. I recently flew to Martinique (France).

[labtechsuperstar]

I agree with you 100% about giving yourself extra time. I would much rather have to spend time puttering around the airport than to run and risk missing my flight. I'm also team Aisle. If I'm in Y, then I can at least stretch 1 leg out. Plus I won't have to inconvenience anyone if I need to use the washroom.

[rvp]

I'm 24, I've never fly, and i have no idea what to do at the airport. Man, I'm so embarrassed....

[anniesshenanigans]

I fly regularly from and to very small airports and if you arrive 2 hours early, most of the time you are sitting around waiting for 1.5 hours. Most small airports do not open TSA until about an hour or so before their first flight. You can call the airport and find out what time they open. One flight I took out of West Virginia opened TSA at 5:15 and the flight was for 5:45!! TSA wait time is the biggest variable for me. I aim for one hour before boarding time, unless it's the first flight, and TSA isn't open that early. Domestic only. As for seat selection, there are not really any good ones. I have tried the aisle and the window and I don't like either one. But if I am in a window seat, I like to sit where my left side is at the window because I am left handed.

[juchebo]

I personally prefer window seat on the right side. You are right. Getting to the airport two hours early for a domestic flight is ideal. I didn’t have to do that when I was living in a small town in West Texas because the airport was rarely busy and I usually get to the airport an hour and half before my flight but I live in Austin now so I’ll have to be at the airport 2 and a half hours early

[Zurich_for_Beginners]

I depends on the airport.
In Zürich I come rather early not because of long lines.
(Waiting at security in Zürich is usually in the one figure minutes).
But Zürich airport is nice place to be.

[The.Coin.Guy]

Depends on the country, 2 hours for domestic and 3 for international. Usually ends up being 3 hours either way

[patrickdavis]

Your videos have been a big help with flying.

[StanHasselback]

Fly super early in the morning when the airport opens and you don't need to be there that early. If you schedule one of the first flights out of an airport you probably can't be there more than 2 hours ahead of time because no one will be there to help you. It's a pain waking up at 3 am to catch a flight at 5:30 or 6 am but you can pass out on the plane. Yes there are a few airports that fly 24 hours but most don't. Never ever fly before a holiday, flying on a holiday can be great.

[julieolson]

Size of airport matters in terms of how early to arrive. Tucson is small and three and a half hours is really overkill.