Is there any way to predict how busy Dublin Airport will be at a given time?!

Parchment

I am travelling on the 4th January (a Saturday morning) - my flight leaves at 9.45am.... is there any way to predict how busy the airport will be in the lead up to my flight? I will aim to be there for 7.30/8-ish as i am travelling up from the South.

I have to check in a bag also. I travel a lot but find Dublin Airport quite unpredictable - sometimes i breeze through security other times i am waiting for a long time due to crowds.

I will give as much time as i can to get there and get all checked in but i know due to work it could be a bit tight.

Any opinions on how busy it might be on the above date/time? hopefully this isnt a silly question!

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Tis quiet enough this morning if hats any help. Parked the car at 6 and was through security with a bag checked by half 6. That is the quickest I've ever done it though .

poteen

Parchment wrote: »

I am travelling on the 4th January (a Saturday morning) - my flight leaves at 9.45am.... is there any way to predict how busy the airport will be in the lead up to my flight? I will aim to be there for 7.30/8-ish as i am travelling up from the South.

I have to check in a bag also. I travel a lot but find Dublin Airport quite unpredictable - sometimes i breeze through security other times i am waiting for a long time due to crowds.

I will give as much time as i can to get there and get all checked in but i know due to work it could be a bit tight.

Any opinions on how busy it might be on the above date/time? hopefully this isnt a silly question!

My guess is this will be a very busy day in Dublin Airport. The 4th is really the end of the Christmas / new years period and alot will be flying back across the world to various destinations for Work on Monday morning. I actually know a few people already told me they 'go back' that weekend.

It would be safer as always when flying to give yourself alot of time.

Parchment

poteen wrote: »

My guess is this will be a very busy day in Dublin Airport. The 4th is really the end of the Christmas / new years period and alot will be flying back across the world to various destinations for Work on Monday morning. I actually know a few people already told me they 'go back' that weekend.

It would be safer as always when flying to give yourself alot of time.

I was thinking this - i am heading to Poland and i know many people will be returning there after visiting relatives living in Ireland.

I just find Dublin Airports traffic can be so unpredictable - regardless of how many flights are going out on a morning, i can, like i said breeze through or be stuck in security/queue hell for so long. I was just trying to make a guess-timate.

B

munchkin_utd

+1
On a quiet day you might have planes say 60 to 70% full (being pessimistic).
So a 180 seater would have say 70seats empty.
On a busy day with those seats full, and multiply those 70extra passengers by 40odd morning flights when the Dublin based Aerlingus and Ryanair planes all make their first run of the day, thats 2800 extra passengers on a busy morning more than an exceptionally slack day.

Add in a few sick employees and more than usual amount of gobsh1tes who take 10 minutes to take off their belt and folks who havent seen a plane in their lives stand startled at this "new" liquids rule, and you can understand why holiday times are busier / more frustrating than normal.

The Bishop Basher

Get yourself a fast track pass from airport genie. I won't leave home without one when flying at that hour of the morning.

3DataModem

Swanner wrote: »

Get yourself a fast track pass from airport genie. I won't leave home without one when flying at that hour of the morning.

This. Less than a fiver, free cup of coffee, fast track security.

Parchment

3DataModem wrote: »

This. Less than a fiver, free cup of coffee, fast track security.

Funny! I was just texting my friend who travels for business a lot and she was telling me to book one. She did say she has had to queue in the Fast Track lane also but to a far lesser degree than "regular" security.

Parchment

munchkin_utd wrote: »

+1
On a quiet day you might have planes say 60 to 70% full (being pessimistic).
So a 180 seater would have say 70seats empty.
On a busy day with those seats full, and multiply those 70extra passengers by 40odd morning flights when the Dublin based Aerlingus and Ryanair planes all make their first run of the day, thats 2800 extra passengers on a busy morning more than an exceptionally slack day.

Add in a few sick employees and more than usual amount of gobsh1tes who take 10 minutes to take off their belt and folks who havent seen a plane in their lives stand startled at this "new" liquids rule, and you can understand why holiday times are busier / more frustrating than normal.

LOL @ people being startled by the liquids rule....those people with the industrial sized shampoo bottles in their carry on never cease to amaze me.

schemingbohemia

Are you T1 or T2, that will make a difference.

Parchment

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Are you T1 or T2, that will make a difference.

T1

ardmacha

those people with the industrial sized shampoo bottles in their carry on never cease to amaze me.

perhaps a more precise observation, those people women with the industrial sized shampoo bottles in their carry on never cease to amaze me.

You can count the number of departures at a given time and check the fares for a couple of those flights, if these are high then the plane is probably pretty full.

killbillvol2

It really doesn't matter how busy it is. Just get there as early as you can and take it from there.

Dublin Airport is no longer the hellhole it used to be so getting there early is no longer an ordeal. If you travel a lot you surely realise that chilling around departures is preferable to panicking in security because you cut it too fine?

Jan 4th will be very busy in any case.

Strumms

Parchment wrote: »

T1

I always find that T1 Security is always that bit less efficent then T2 for whetever reason. Id recommend you spend the 5 euros on the fast-track airport genie pass as otherwise suggested or else get there that bit earlier. The airport WILL be busy that morning take it from somone working there. Always better to relax at the bar then have the worry of having to run for your flight.

Parchment

killbillvol2 wrote: »

It really doesn't matter how busy it is. Just get there as early as you can and take it from there.

Dublin Airport is no longer the hellhole it used to be so getting there early is no longer an ordeal. If you travel a lot you surely realise that chilling around departures is preferable to panicking in security because you cut it too fine?

Jan 4th will be very busy in any case.

I travel quite a bit but not through Dublin airport. i use Aberdeen airport a lot and find it can vary HUGELY sometimes the queues are literally out the door others not so much.

I just asked as some people may use DA on a regular basis on a saturday morning and might be able to give me a general idea. I still plan on getting there early but i just wanted to have a better picture of what the situation might be like....surely thats ok?

Parchment

Strumms wrote: »

I always find that T1 Security is always that bit less efficent then T2 for whetever reason. Id recommend you spend the 5 euros on the fast-track airport genie pass as otherwise suggested or else get there that bit earlier. The airport WILL be busy that morning take it from somone working there. Always better to relax at the bar then have the worry of having to run for your flight.

Thanks - i think the Airport Genie will be worth a try - even if its just for the cup of tea on the otherside!