Direct answer: If your flight is delayed, plan to arrive at the airport for the original departure time (not the delayed time). In practice, this means you should be at the airport as if the flight is still on schedule, typically about 2 hours before a domestic flight or 3 hours before an international flight. If you’re unsure, check your airline’s official guidance for arrival and check-in windows, and stay updated on any changes to the departure time. Details and guidance
- Domestic flights: Aim to be at the airport about 2 hours before the scheduled departure time. Some airlines and airports may recommend 1.5–2 hours, but 2 hours is a common target to cover check-in, security, and reaching the gate. If you arrive later than the original time, you risk missing check-in cutoffs or the new departure time if it changes again.
- International flights: Plan for about 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure to accommodate check-in, security, and immigration. Delays do not generally extend these deadlines, so arriving on the original schedule helps avoid missing check-in windows.
- Why the original time matters: Delays can shorten, lengthen, or fluctuate; arriving on the original schedule avoids missing check-in or boarding cutoffs, and airlines often won’t hold a delayed flight for late-arriving passengers. If conditions allow, the departure time could move up, but you should be prepared to depart at the originally scheduled time.
- Check-in and gate timing: Check-in typically closes a certain window before the scheduled departure (often 30–60 minutes before for domestic and earlier for international). If the delay changes significantly, the airline may adjust procedures, but the safest practice is to be at the airport by the original departure time.
Practical tips
- Monitor the airline’s official app or website for live status, gate changes, and any updated arrival recommendations.
- Have your boarding pass and any required travel documents ready in case of a sudden gate change or early boarding if the flight proceeds sooner than expected.
- If the delay is extended or turned into a cancellation, contact the airline promptly for rebooking options or assistance with accommodations and meals per airline policy.
If you’d like, share whether your flight is domestic or international and which airline, and the original departure time. A tailored arrival time and any airline-specific requirements can be provided.
