What time to be at airport?

dobbs2210

Hi, I'm flying through Aer Lingus in June from Cork Airport. Departs at 6.50am.
Cannot find the check in time as it's not on the initial/first email Aer Lingus sent me.

Just wondering how long would I need to be in the CorkAirport?

What's the advantage of doing an online check in before arriving to the airport?

Have never travelled before so excuse the stupid questions.

ProudDUB

The airlines themselves generally advise you to get to the airport no less than 2 hrs before your flight departs. I've never flown via Cork, so I have no idea if you actually need 2 hrs to make it from the front door of the airport to your plane. But as that is their general rule, its probably a good idea to abide by it, especially as it is your first time traveling & airports are usually busiest in the mornings.

If you check in online & you print off your boarding passes, you can proceed to your departure gate as soon as you get to the airport. You don't have to go to a check in desk and have a member of staff do it for you. It saves time. If you have a bag to check in, you will need to go to the Drop Off desk, show them your boarding pass and they'll take your bag. If you don't have any bags to check in, you just go straight to the Departure gates.

suds1984

All really depends if you need to drop a bag or just have carry on luggage. Cork airport is small. As far as I can recall security opens at 5am so no point in being before this. Cork airport has a useful section (http://www.corkairport.com/gns/at-the-airport/helpful-tips.aspx ) that recommends being at airport 90 mins before hand. I generally find that an hour is more than sufficient at the gates are very near security.

dobbs2210

suds1984 wrote: »

All really depends if you need to drop a bag or just have carry on luggage. Cork airport is small. As far as I can recall security opens at 5am so no point in being before this. Cork airport has a useful section (http://www.corkairport.com/gns/at-the-airport/helpful-tips.aspx ) that recommends being at airport 90 mins before hand. I generally find that an hour is more than sufficient at the gates are very near security.

Thanks a million for the info.
And is that one hour before the departure time of 6.50am or 1 hour before check in closes which is 45minutes before departure?

spurious

An hour before departure is a bit too close for comfort to 45 minutes before departure, if you haven't checked in. I'd aim to get there about 5.30 and sure what harm if you've time for a cup of tea.

BabySlam

Cork airport is very small - you can easily be on time if you get there about 5.45am. Have a good flight!

zagmund

I agree. I had a long post typed up, but it was rambling a little so I didn't post. The relevant bit was "if it was me, I would be there at 0530" If you're through early then a cup of coffee is called for as a celebration. If you're delayed then you have an hour to make it from one side of the building to the other.

Just don't think that departure time = the time you need to be getting on the plane. It's the time your plane leaves the ground. You need to be on it 20 minutes or so before that.

z

BabySlam

Today I needed to explain that my flight was delayed one hour due to wind - the planet's not mine!