How early should I go for my domestic flight?

Do you have to be at the airport 2 hours before?

Two hours? Honey, that’s like asking if you need to floss. Technically? No. Will your teeth—or travel plans—thank you later? Absolutely.

Domestically, think 90 minutes to two hours. Internationally? Ramp it up to two or even three. Picture it: a buffer against the universe’s inevitable attempts to sabotage your vacation.

It’s not a law, more like a strongly worded suggestion. Big airport? Slow security? Suddenly, two hours feels like a blink. Always double-check with the airline, they know their shenanigans.

• Domestic Flights: 1.5–2 hours? I call it “playing it safe.”
• International Flights: 2–3 hours. Because passports and feelings are easily lost.
• Airport Size: Is it the size of Rhode Island? Factor it in.
• Security: Security lines. The only line worse than the DMV.
• Airline Check-in: Are you “basic economy”? Add another hour, just for spite.

Pro Tip: I once arrived exactly 45 minutes before my flight. Do I recommend? Only if you enjoy high-stakes sprints through terminals while clutching a lukewarm latte. Don’t. Just don’t.

How much time do you need at Hanoi airport?

Ugh, Hanoi airport, right? Three hours minimum, that’s what they say. You need that time, seriously. Security lines can be insane, especially during peak season, which is like, all the time. It’s a total madhouse. Passport stuff, you know? That takes forever too! Plus, finding your gate, grabbing a coffee, maybe a Banh Mi. Yeah you absolutely need that time. It’s not just checking in.

Here’s the deal:

• Three hours minimum, no joke. More if you’re, like, super forgetful.
• Passport ready. Have it front and center, man. Save yourself the stress.
• Other ID. Don’t even think about forgetting that either. I nearly missed my flight last year ’cause of that!
• Grab a bite. Hanoi airport food is actually pretty good. But give yourself plenty of time for that too.

Seriously, three hours isn’t overkill. Better safe than sorry, you know? Don’t wanna miss your flight to somewhere awesome, specially if it’s somewhere like Phu Quoc. That place is amazing, btw. You should go there. Anyway, yeah three hours. Plan for it.

How long should it take to get through airport?

Domestic flights: Two hours. International: Three. Security lines? Arrive early. My flight last year? Snafu. Missed it.

Key factors impacting airport transit time:

• Security lines: Length varies wildly. Plan accordingly.
• Airline: Some airlines are notoriously slow. My experience with United… forget it.
• Airport: Smaller airports? Faster. LAX? Nightmare fuel. JFK? Even worse.
• Time of day/year: Peak travel = longer waits. Expect delays around holidays.

Post-flight departure: Thirty minutes, minimum. Baggage claim, traffic.

TSA PreCheck/Global Entry: Get it. Seriously. Life changer.

My recent trip to London? Smooth sailing, surprisingly. Except for that aggressive dude in line.

Is a 2 hour flight considered long?

Two hours? Long? Honey, I file my nails on longer flights. Practically a hop, skip, and a jump. Think of it as a slightly extended bus ride, but with less questionable smells and better snacks (hopefully). Though, let’s be honest, those mini pretzels are a culinary tragedy. My cat’s nap lasts longer. I once spent two hours untangling Christmas lights. That was long.

• Short-haul: The “I haven’t even finished my first tiny bottle of wine” flight. Up to 3 hours.
• Medium-haul: Now we’re talking. Enough time for a movie and a nap. Or two naps. 3-6 hours.
• Long-haul: Buckle up, buttercup. Bring a neck pillow and your sanity. 6+ hours. My record? 14 hours to Seoul. Thought I’d morphed into a pretzel by the time I landed. Never again. Maybe.

Let’s add some perspective, shall we? A two-hour flight is barely enough time to appreciate the sheer terror of realizing you’re 30,000 feet in the air in a metal tube. It’s like dipping your toe in the pool of air travel. You’re in, you’re out, you grab your slightly-crushed suitcase, and you’re done. Think of it this way: Some commutes are longer than two-hour flights. Mine used to be. Pre-pandemic. When dinosaurs roamed the earth. Two hours is a blink.