Expert: Roberto Gomes - 11/26/2007

Question
Airlines advice arriving at the airport 1 hour early for a domestic flight and 2 hours early for international flights.  I need clarification on how this time is measured.  Specifically, is it 1 hour relative to the original departure time or something else (e.g., if the flight has already been delayed by the time I arrive at the airport, would it then be 1 hour prior to the new departure time?).  At what point am I considered to have "arrived"?  Is it when I am in line at the ticket counter, after the airline employee hands me my boarding pass, etc?  I do alot of traveling and many time can't help but to by running late, and have never been clear on the airline's policy.  Thanks.

Answer
Dear Jim,

All regulations refer to the scheduled time of departure, i.e. the original departure time known when you made your reservation. Normally, if the delay is considerable and known in advance, airlines do the best they can to advise passengers, either by phone, e-mail or SMS messages to mobile phones.

You have to arrive at the check-in counter at the designated time if you do not have a boarding card issue with a seat number. Agents run over the queue to check if there are passengers still waiting to be checked for a particular flight. But is always good to remember them when the "cut-off" time is about to be expired.

In your future trips check if your airline offers Internet check-in. This will save you time and make your journeys seamless.

Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
R. Gomes