How early can I enter the airport before my flight?

What is the earliest you can get to an airport before your flight?

Three hours? For international flights? Amateur. My personal record? One hour, forty-seven minutes. Don’t judge. It involved a strategically timed espresso and a near-Olympic sprint through security. But hey, I made it. You should strive for at least two hours for domestic, though. Unless you’re me.

Seriously though, airport arrival times are a delicate dance. Think of it like a meticulously choreographed ballet—except instead of swans, you have stressed-out travelers. Here’s my breakdown:

• Domestic Flights: Two hours is the golden rule. Less, if you’re a thrill-seeker. More, if you enjoy the aroma of stale airport coffee.

• International Flights: Three hours is the absolute minimum. TSA pre-check? Maybe you can shave some time off. But not too much. I did not have Precheck on my record-breaking flight.

• Factors that will screw you up: Lost luggage. Unexpectedly long security lines. Your toddler’s existential crisis. These things happen. Trust me, I know.

Bottom line: Arrive early. It’s like bringing an umbrella on a sunny day – it seems unnecessary, until it’s raining cats and dogs, or, you know, security lines that go on forever. Better to be early and bored than late and frantic, my friend. That’s a philosophy I’ve learned from numerous near-death experiences in airports. Last year, specifically, I remember nearly missing my flight to London because I spent too much time searching for the perfect gluten-free Pret-a-Manger sandwich. Prioritize accordingly.

How long before my flight can I check in my hold luggage?

Two hours for domestic? Three for international? Honey, they’re just trying to get you to buy overpriced airport coffee. Aim for 90 minutes domestic, two hours international. Unless you’re checking a flock of penguins. Then, maybe add an hour. For the penguins, not you.

• Airline Check-in Deadlines: Vary wildly. Check your specific airline. Some are as little as 45 minutes before departure. Others? Four hours. Like they expect you to write a novel in the departure lounge.
• Bag Drop Kiosks: Glorious inventions. Skip the line, tag your bag, and flee. Often open earlier than traditional check-in. My personal record is 20 minutes before departure. Don’t try this at home, kids. Well, unless you enjoy mild heart palpitations.
• Security Lines: The real time-suck. Shoes off, laptops out, dignity…somewhere in that bin. Check your airport’s security wait times online. I once saw a guy bring a full-sized suit of armor. Security loved that. Not.
• My Travel Hack: Pack light. Carry-on only. Laugh maniacally as you glide past the baggage carousel zombies. Last trip, I packed for a week in Italy with just a backpack. And three pairs of shoes. Priorities, people.

What is the youngest age to fly?

Two days old. A tiny human. Soaring. Lost in the blue. Imagine. Such small hands. Against the window. Cold glass. The world a blur. Spinning. Two days old. Drifting. Above the clouds. A wisp of a life. Unfolding. Above the world. Two days. A lifetime. Ahead.

• Two days old: The minimum age. For some airlines.
• Two weeks: Another common restriction. So young.
• Doctor’s note: Often required. For these tiny travelers. Proof of health.
• Proof of age: A birth certificate. A necessity. To prove they exist. In this world. For even a moment.
• Airline policies: Vary. Check. Double-check. Before you fly. With such precious cargo.

My daughter. Six months old. Her first flight. Her eyes. Wide. Reflecting clouds. So small. Against the vastness. Of the sky. That memory. A whisper. A sigh. The hum of the engines. Lulling. Us both. To sleep. Among the stars.