how early to arrive for domestic flights

The general recommendation for arriving at the airport for domestic flights is to arrive at least 1.5 to 2 hours before departure. This allows enough time for check-in, security screening, and reaching the gate with minimal stress. If you have checked in online and are only traveling with carry-on luggage, arriving about 1 hour before the flight may suffice, provided there are no long queues or unexpected delays. However, the exact timing can depend on factors such as the size of the airport, the airline you are flying with, peak travel times, and whether you need to check bags. Large or busy airports and peak travel periods often warrant arriving closer to 2 hours ahead or more. Airlines typically close domestic check-in counters 30 minutes before departure, so plan accordingly to avoid missing your flight.