Brunswick Airport: Arrival Time Recommendations

It is recommended that passengers arrive at Brunswick Airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. However, it's important to keep in mind that these are just guidelines and that the actual time you need to arrive may vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the airport, the number of passengers, and TSA wait times. To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, it's always better to arrive early and allow plenty of time to check in, check your bags, and go through security.

How early should I arrive for domestic and international flights?

It is important to arrive at the airport early enough to ensure you don't miss your flight. The recommended arrival time will depend on several factors, including the type of flight (domestic or international), the airport, the time of year, your travel companions, and whether you have checked luggage.

Domestic Flights

As a general rule, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport no later than one hour before a domestic flight. Ninety minutes to two hours is generally considered a safer bet, with most airports recommending that passengers arrive two hours before a domestic flight. This allows for potential bottlenecks at security, check-in times, and the time taken to traverse the airport.

International Flights

For international flights, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before departure. This is due to several factors, including larger planes with higher passenger capacities, longer boarding times, larger terminals requiring more walking time, and more stringent security checks for certain destinations.

Additional Factors to Consider

When determining how early to arrive at the airport, it is also worth considering the following:

• Airport size and structure: Some airports may require a shuttle to get between gates, while others may have long walking distances between terminals.
• Online check-in: If you have checked in online, you may be able to save some time at the airport.
• Baggage: If you are travelling with baggage, you will need to add some extra time to your schedule, even if you are using a self-service bag drop counter.
• Time of year: Busier travel times, such as long weekends, Easter, and Christmas, may require an additional 30 minutes of travel time.
• Travel companions: If you are travelling with family or a group, it is advisable to arrive earlier to account for the additional time needed to navigate check-in, security, and the airport in general.
• Class of travel: For those travelling in business or first class, arriving early allows for more time to enjoy the airport lounge facilities.

What factors influence how early I should arrive?

There are several factors that influence how early you should arrive at the airport. Here are some key considerations:

Type of Flight

The type of flight you are taking is a significant factor. For domestic flights, the general recommendation is to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure. This allows adequate time for check-in, baggage drop, security screening, and reaching the gate. However, some sources suggest that 90 minutes to two hours is a safer bet, especially during busy travel seasons.

For international flights, it is advisable to arrive at the airport at least three hours in advance. International terminals and security checks tend to be larger and more time-consuming, and there are often more passengers to accommodate.

Travel Season

The time of year and travel season can significantly impact how early you should arrive at the airport. During peak travel times, such as holidays, Christmas, school breaks, or summer, it is recommended to add extra time to your arrival. This is due to the increased number of travellers and longer lines at security and check-in.

Transportation to the Airport

Your mode of transportation to the airport is another crucial factor. If you are driving, consider traffic conditions and allow for potential delays. If using public transportation or ride-sharing services, be mindful of rush hour traffic and potential delays en route. It is generally advisable to catch an earlier bus, train, or metro to reduce the risk of missing your flight.

Check-in and Baggage

Online check-in can save you time at the airport. If you are not checking any bags and have a print-at-home or mobile boarding pass, you may have some flexibility with your arrival time. However, if you need to check baggage, be mindful of the cutoff times, which typically range from 45 to 60 minutes before departure, depending on your airline and airport.

Airport Size and Services

The size of the airport and the distance you need to walk to reach your gate can also influence your arrival time. Larger airports may require more time to navigate and get through security. Additionally, if you plan to use airport services such as lounges or duty-free shopping, you may need to factor in extra time.

Assistance Requirements

If you or anyone in your travelling party requires assistance, such as a wheelchair or extra help with boarding, allow for additional time at the airport. This ensures that you have a comfortable and stress-free journey.

Security Protocols

Familiarize yourself with security protocols and procedures before arriving at the airport. Understanding the requirements, such as liquid restrictions and electronic device handling, can help you navigate security checks more efficiently. Additionally, consider enrolling in expedited security programs like TSA PreCheck or Clear to streamline the security screening process.

In summary, by considering these factors and planning accordingly, you can ensure that you arrive at the airport with ample time to catch your flight without undue stress or rush.

How can I speed up my journey through the airport?

There are several ways to speed up your journey through the airport. Here are some tips to help you get through the airport quickly and efficiently:

• Arrive early, but be smart about it. While it's important to give yourself enough time to clear security and reach your gate, choosing less busy travel times can also make a big difference. Mid-week and early morning flights tend to have shorter queues.
• Pack smartly. Follow the TSA rules for liquids and electronics, and make sure these items are easily accessible. Use packing cubes or compression bags to maximise space and keep your luggage organised.
• Dress appropriately. Avoid wearing belts, jewellery, or shoes with laces, buckles, or steel toes. Opt for comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to remove.
• Take advantage of expedited security programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear. These programs offer faster security screening processes, allowing you to keep your shoes and light jackets on, and your laptop and liquids in your carry-on bags.
• Book a spot in line. Some airports and programs, like Clear's Reserve, allow you to reserve a spot in the security line in advance, helping you avoid long queues.
• Fly with premium class. Premium class tickets often come with priority baggage check-in and access to separate, shorter security queues.
• Use the family lane if applicable. Some airlines, like British Airways, offer family lanes that provide priority and extra assistance to families travelling with young children.
• Have your documents ready. Keep your ID and boarding pass easily accessible to facilitate their presentation to TSA officials and speed up the security process.
• Stay calm and be polite. Navigating the airport can be stressful, but remember to be courteous to security workers and follow their instructions.
• Plan ahead. Check the TSA website to familiarise yourself with security protocols and pack your bags accordingly. Remove any prohibited items and have your liquids and electronics ready for screening.

How can I make sure I arrive at the airport on time?

It's always better to be an early bird than miss your flight! Here are some tips to ensure you arrive at the airport on time:

Planning and Preparation

Firstly, it's important to plan and prepare. Confirm your flight details the night before you are due to fly, and check that everything is on schedule. Continue to monitor the status of your flight as you make your way to the airport. It's also a good idea to check how busy the airport is likely to be on your day of travel. You can do this by checking historical data on the MyTSA app.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Whether you're travelling domestically or internationally, it's always best to give yourself plenty of time. For domestic flights, most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours before departure. For international flights, it's recommended that you arrive three hours before departure. These recommendations are flexible and depend on your specific travel situation. For example, regional airports tend to have smaller crowds than major international hubs, so the lines will likely be shorter.

Online Check-In

If you can, check in online. This will save you time at the airport. If you're not checking a bag, you might be able to skip the check-in desk altogether.

Priority Check-In

If you're travelling in business or first class, or if you're a frequent flyer with elite status, you may be granted priority check-in privileges, allowing you to use priority lanes.

TSA PreCheck

Consider signing up for TSA PreCheck, a Trusted Traveller program that allows approved members to undergo a streamlined security process. With TSA PreCheck, you usually don't need to remove your laptop or liquids from your bags, and you can keep your shoes and jacket on.

Cut-Off Times for Checking Bags

Be aware of the cut-off times for checking bags. These vary by airline, origin airport, and final destination, but they typically range from 45 to 60 minutes before departure.

Parking

If you're driving to the airport, don't forget to factor in parking time. The suggested arrival times are from when you reach the terminal, and if you park in an economy lot, you may need to add on shuttle time.

Peak Travel Times

If you're travelling during peak times, such as holidays, school breaks, or summer, get to the airport even earlier than usual to account for longer lines.

Travelling with Others

If you're travelling with a group, especially if there are young children, give yourself extra time. It can be hard to keep track of everyone and everything when travelling in a group, so it's best not to be rushed.

Navigating the Airport

If you're travelling from a new airport for the first time, leave extra time in case you get lost. Airports are divided into terminals for arrivals and departures, so make sure you go to the correct one. You can find out which terminal your airline is in by checking online, calling the airport, or asking an employee.

Security

To speed up your journey through security, wear clothing and footwear that is easy to remove. Have your electronics and liquids ready for scanning, and keep your documents handy.

Final Preparations

Once you've navigated security, find your gate, stock up on food and drink, and wait for your flight. Stay close to the gate area so you can hear any boarding announcements.

What are the best travel apps to use?

There are a plethora of travel apps available to help you plan and organise your trip, as well as apps to use on the ground. Here is a selection of some of the best travel apps to use:

Planning and Organising

• Google Travel: Google Flights allows you to research and compare flight options, recommended things to do, and hotel reviews.
• Hopper: This app tracks flight prices and advises you on the best time to buy. It also has a notification feature when the price drops.
• TripIt: This app creates an organised itinerary for you. Forward confirmation emails to the app, and it will build a chronological travel plan. It also has a note feature.
• Google Maps: Allows you to save places on your map, and save maps offline.
• Google Sheets: Can be used as a dump for all interesting links during the planning stage.
• Google Drive: Create a folder for your trip, with subfolders for tickets, passports, and other documents.
• Wanderlog: Import your travel reservations, make a map of attractions and restaurants, create checklists, and track expenses.
• Airline App: For flight status alerts, check-ins, and baggage tracking.
• TripAdvisor: Allows you to discover where to stay, what to do, and where to eat, with reviews and recommendations from other travellers.
• Booking.com: Allows you to book accommodation, flights, car rentals, and airport taxis.
• Viator: Allows you to book tours, attractions, experiences, and other activities.
• Expedia: A travel aggregator site, where you can search for flights, accommodation, and car rentals.
• Airbnb: Allows you to find accommodation, tours, classes, and workshops.
• Culture Trip: Offers package tours, as well as recommendations and articles.
• PackPoint: This app creates a customised packing list for your trip, based on your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and any activities.
• Notes/Evernote: Allows you to create notes for each destination, including parking, lodging, check-in info, and restaurant reservations.
• Timeshifter: An app to help you avoid jet lag, using neuroscience research on circadian rhythms and sleep.
• Rome2rio: Allows you to compare the cost of bus, train, and flight travel.

Navigation and On-the-Ground

• Waze: Community-driven app for traffic and road conditions, with live maps and voice-guided navigation.
• Citymapper: Helps travellers find the fastest route to their destination, with step-by-step instructions to bus and train stations, and real-time updates.
• Uber: Allows you to book rides without the need for local currency or language skills.
• GasBuddy: Find the cheapest gas prices, with filters for price, location, brand, and amenities.
• Grab: Allows you to pre-order food at over 60 airports worldwide.
• IExit: Tells you what's near every highway exit, from gas stations to ATMs.
• Convertr+: A currency converter app, which also converts other units such as Celsius to Fahrenheit, and kilometres to miles.
• Google Translate: Download the language of the country you are visiting to use offline.
• Maps.me: Open-source navigation app, with downloadable offline maps, and trails for hiking.
• Atlas Obscura: Helps you find attractions and sights you might otherwise miss.
• TheFork: Dining recommendations and reservations.
• Get Your Guide: Allows you to book attraction tickets and tours.
• NHS App: Allows you to store your vaccine passport.
• EatOkra: A guide to Black-owned eateries across the U.S.

Frequently asked questions