Flying Inside the UK

bnelson,

I normally try to arrive at the airport no less than 90 minutes before flights within Europe. In some cases I'm there two hours before flights.

I'm a bit curious on why you're flying from Manchester to Edinburgh? Travel by train will be faster and most certainly more comfortable and less stressful.

Funny you should ask . . . we are now looking at train between Manchester and Edinburgh (for a host of reasons). We originally figured that, since we are turning in a rental car at Manchester airport flying out would be good. We are re-thinking that leg of our journey.
Which means in Edinburgh and Islay, how much time before the flight?

bnelson,

Again in Edinburgh and Islay, I'd recommend 90 minutes prior to a domestic flight, although you might be able to get by with 60 minutes in Islay.

The general advice from UK airports is arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights.

When I fly from Gatwick to Scotland on business for the day, obviously with just hand luggage, I allow 75 minutes, but I would allow more if travelling June to September.

Take the train! There's a direct service with no changes from Manchester Airport to Edinburgh for as little as £12 if you book in advance and at non peak times. Off the plane at Manchester and straight into the heart of Edinburgh in about 3.5 hours.

If you were to fly the advice by the airports for times prior to depaeture are two hours internal or short haul, three hours for long haul.

We have decided to take the train from Manchester (even with the car drop off at the airport there) to Edinburgh. Of course, flying to/from Islay still makes sense and someplace around 90 minutes to 2 hours with our carry-on luggage makes sense. Thanks for the help. Now . . . about Loganair . . . .?

I like to keep it as close to 60 minutes as I dare at the smaller regional airports. 30 minutes was my record at Cardiff but that was thanks to a blocked road not by design! I only do this if I gave no luggage to check in and it's not peak travel season mind you.

Here in the colonies (USA)

You've used that expression in more than one thread. Any reason given that it's been 230 years since George Washington's inauguration? :-)

we are often instructed to arrive at the airport at least one hour
before a domestic flight and two (or more) before an international
flight.

I haven't seen those recommendations in YEARS. Without TSA precheck, 2 hours is recommended before domestic flights and 3 hours before int'l flights.

Any idea of how much before flight time we should arrive (as
"foreigners") for these flights from these airports? (In the case of
the Manchester leg, we will be in Chester the night before, so have to
drive in and, on Islay, we are in Port Ellen, so need to arrange
transport to the airport.)

When I have flown within the UK and within Europe, I arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance.

My dear "Continental" -

As for my "colonies," it is meant in a lighthearted spirit (and specifying USA simply recognizes that there are former colonies of the UK around the world) since many on these threads actually live in the UK. If this troubles you for some reason, perhaps you should reflect on why that is. I assure you, I am quite well versed on history (it is 230 years later this month on the 30th!), but thank you for the inquiry.

I fly within the US a great deal, Europe once a year (at least) and to Canada and Latin America as well. I realize that (especially for major urban hubs such as yours,) earlier arrival times are recommended, but in many cases (such as Oakland to San Diego), an hour is adequate (depending on time of day and day of the week).

I appreciate your input in addressing the central question I had, even if you did not appreciate my effort at humor in the asking. Maybe I am alone in this, but I think Americans (and I am a native) take themselves much too seriously. To quote a favorite Monty Python song - "always look on the bright side of life!"

bnelson210, oh there IS humor. :-)

Continental- Whew!! Glad to see that! ;-)