The "3-2-1" advice when going to the airport
Referring to it as the “3-2-1” rule, Sky Harbour provided some advice a few years ago, which goes like this; Be at the airport ticket counter three hours before your flight to check-in, be in line at the airport security checkpoint two hours before your flight and be at the gate one hour before your flight. Basically it kind of answers the often asked question “How early do I need to get to the airport?” or conversely, “What’s the latest time to make it for my flight?”
Most Airlines advise passengers to be at the airport three hours before flight time for international departures and two hours for domestic flights – with exceptions of course to certain overseas destinations that may require getting to the airport even earlier than the recommended times.
The two hour recommendation commonly applies for domestic flights in many of the aviation sectors across the globe. This is deemed as sufficient time for travelers to be either dropped off or even to park their cars (in all types of weather), check their bags and pass through security to get to their gates.
The ‘3-2-1’ recommendation is mainly for those holding an economy class ticket and that no doubt sucks. Experienced travelers may cut corners since they know the drill where time spent at an airport during slack periods requires less time unlike during busy holiday periods.
For ‘first timers’ and for those who seldom travel, the ‘3-2-1’ recommendation is a useful piece of advice as it gives them a chance to be less rushed when making that stressful journey from the entrance of the airport to boarding the plane. People who are nervous, others with mobility problems may sometimes arrive earlier.
Those who travel regularly, have little baggage and know airports well may arrive a tad later. Nevertheless, flying out of less familiar airports on return trips is a different story even for them. Other experienced travelers stick to the ‘3-2-1’ rule because it provides them the security of knowing they won’t miss their flight or that it gives them time for alternative - should their scheduled flight be overbooked, delayed or cancelled.
The “3-2-1” guideline caters to others getting into the airport – apart from passengers. Security and airport staff want travelers to arrive early to the airport, each for their own reasons. Security does not want to be rushed with screenings, especially at airports that are on high alert against acts of terrorism. In any event a long line has no bearing or is of no consequence to them. Airport operators want travelers to patronize the array of shopping and dining facilities and that can occur only when passengers clear all formalities and have time to kill. Airlines on the other hand, prefer that passengers do not hang around the boarding gate for too long.
Looking ahead, travelers will worry far less about the coronavirus and more about navigating their way at the airport to get to their gate on time.
Noorhem Arahoz is an educator who teaches English as a foreign language, a professional jazz pianist, music composer, bird watcher and an intrepid traveler.
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