Why Get To The Airport Earlier For International Flight?

[The AD]

I've got a flight coming up to Canada and was just thinking about the common advice that you need to get to the airport earlier for international flights. Why is that? You only go through customs when you arrive in the foreign country so I can't understand what's different at the departure airport whether you're flying domestic or international that would make any difference. My international flying experience is limited, so maybe I'm missing something. Thoughts?

[Timberridge]

Because if you miss it, there's not another one 2.5 hrs later. But since you're only going to Canada, not Singapore, you'll be ok.

[BmillsSkier]

More time at the duty free store.

[Skidog]

dont sweat early for Canadia.....I travel there quite a bit and its no big deal. 75 min should be fine.....maybe a little more. I usually arrive 2 hours before as Id rather be through and sitting working/reading/etc rather than stressing security, etc.

YMMV.

[The AD]

Because if you miss it, there's not another one 2.5 hrs later. But since you're only going to Canada, not Singapore, you'll be ok.

I'm thinking maybe that's the bottom line. Also perhaps if you're checking luggage there's some additional scrutiny required, so it needs to be checked earlier.

The only time I've flown to Canada before was on a Kenmore Air seaplane and that's a completely different experience than a normal commercial airline!

[DBdude]

at some airports the international terminal is the quickest way to get through tsa (philly, concourse A...)

[BmillsSkier]

at some airports the international terminal is the quickest way to get through tsa (philly, concourse A...)

Shhh! That's been my secret to ATL for years.

[Danno]

Maybe they shut down check-in/boarding earlier?

[Dee Hubbs]

Keep in mind that departing on the Canadian side you will clear customs BEFORE leaving Canada. Almost all of the major Canadian airports have US customs in the airport, you clear US customs before takeoff, this allows your flight to land as a domestic plane and you skip international customs at your local American airport.

[The AD]

Keep in mind that departing on the Canadian side you will clear customs BEFORE leaving Canada. Almost all of the major Canadian airports have US customs in the airport, you clear US customs before takeoff, this allows your flight to land as a domestic plane and you skip international customs at your local American airport.

Good to know. Thanks!

[AK47bp]

Canada? International?

Ha

[Bromontana]

The guidelines are shit from my perspective. The only flight I've missed was a connection due to delays.

90 minutes before flight time is fine. If the security line is long, try the next terminal. Or if it's less than 45 minutes and no alternatives it should be fine.

Step 1, walk to skycap. Give dude $5-10 for a bag, skip bullshit via tsa precheck, walk to gate.

For international inbound, get Global Entry to eliminate waiting. For outbound: pray.

But yeah, having to arrive any more than 90 minutes prior requires a total clusterfuck scenario at the departing station. No skycap, no alternate entry terminal, no express lanes, fubar lines, sprawling airport layout, etc.

I try to avoid Ohare & JFK because of this type of shyte.



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[Nomad79]

If and when you are planning on coming back, you may want to go a little early. The US has taken over parts of Canadian airports, and you essentially clear customs and immigration in canada prior to boarding the plane, which may take a little time.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Bigger planes and more checked bags = longer lines check in lines and earlier boarding.

[teledad]

Look up the check-in cutoff for your airline/airport. Most have earlier cutoffs flying international (and yes, US->Canada counts, even if you fly out of a domestic terminal) due to additional bag screening, whether or not you check a bag. And generally you need to check in with an agent even if you don't have a checked bag so they can check your passport (and visa if applicable).

They may not always strictly enforce the cutoff but you can be sure that if they're overbooked and you check in late they're going to bump you since it doesn't cost them anything (unlike the alternatives). Basically with a late checkin you're essentially flying standby.

[The AD]

OK, there's no "International Terminal" at Sea-Tac, so it's going to take the time it always does to clear security. Looks like the checked bag cutoff is 60 minutes, so I'll just have to make sure we're there earlier than that if we need to check a bag. The airplane is an Embraer 175 with 76 seats, so boarding will not take long. Probably less time than most domestic flights.

[XXX-er]

Bigger planes and more checked bags = longer lines check in lines and earlier boarding.

I don't fly that much but this^^ walk into the departure level and there are about thousand of my people ahead of me in the lineup

[The AD]

Just want to say, Kenmore Air is awesome.

Agreed.

[Skidog]

Clearing customs prior to re entry to USA in Toronto is smooth as silk. They updated the whole thing very recently and it's been great. Same going in from USA. My last 2 trips (last 4 months) have been less than 10 min in immigration into canadia.

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[TAFKALVS]

At Seatac I give myself more time because the International Terminal takes a while to get to once you pass security.

[Toadman]

I usually fly business class internationally, so like to hang out at the lounge and enjoy a few drinks and snacks. Plus, you get through secrurity using the priority lane too.

[riser4]

Anyone with actual experience know how much time I should allow between arrival at the Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof and when my [international] flight is scheduled to depart? In one case an EU flight and in another case, Canada.

[old goat]

I can only comment on my one experience transferring in Frankfurt, but we deplaned on the tarmac after taxiing forever, had to wait a long time for buses to get everyone to get to the terminal, then a long time getting through security again. At least two hours, maybe three.

[liv2ski]

OK, there's no "International Terminal" at Sea-Tac, so it's going to take the time it always does to clear security. Looks like the checked bag cutoff is 60 minutes, so I'll just have to make sure we're there earlier than that if we need to check a bag. The airplane is an Embraer 175 with 76 seats, so boarding will not take long. Probably less time than most domestic flights.

I will never fly into that airport again from Canada as US Customs in that airport is the biggest cluster fuck I have ever been in, twice. Vibes if that is your home airport. And ya, what Bromontana said on page 1.

[Supermoon]

Anyone with actual experience know how much time I should allow between arrival at the Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof and when my [international] flight is scheduled to depart? In one case an EU flight and in another case, Canada.

I almost missed my Frankfurt connection because I had carried on a skateboard which is OK in the US but verboten in the EU apparently. Got the cops called and an escort to my next flight. All of that took about an hour IIRC.