Airport arrival time for flight from Milan's Malpensa for flight to US?

I can only speak from my singular experience, but we got there way too early. 3 hrs or so, the airport is so impressive. It was my first European airport experience, so I only knew of the disaster that are American airports.

We got through in about 20 minutes total. Like a well oiled machine. No stantions, no bs, employees that actually seemed to be taking pride in doing their jobs, staffed appropriately etc..

We flew Emirates, which was also insanely impressive.

Have a great trip.

The standard recommendation for a direct flight to the US is three hours so I would plan on being there no later than about 8.30. Unfortunately this is a situation when it is better to be too early than too late. Options are very limited if you miss a direct flight.

Each airline might have different recommendations, therefore check with yours, but for Malpensa most recommend at least 90 min. prior to departure if you have luggage to check in (or 60 min. if you don't).

All airlines require that you have checked in your luggage and have your boarding pass in your hands at least 45 min. before departure (or 35 min for business class).

Many airlines at Malpensa open the check in counters 2 hours prior to departure, so being there 3 hours ahead would be a waste of your time. Be there at around 9am and you'll have time to spare at the gate for some cappuccino+brioche and updating your Facebook page.

Our rule of thumb is to arrive 3 hours before departure. We would rather sit an wait as opposed to trying to show up at the last moment. It's never taken us more than 30 minutes to clear security at Malpensa.

Buon viaggio,

Going to the US (and Israel), check in at special gates away from the main check-in area. It is all the way to the left. looking at the terminal from the street outside. You must show your passport to enter this room and then you get in line to get your boarding pass and check your luggage. Then you walk down another hallway back to the main area of the terminal to get to the security check, then passport control. At make it at least 2 hours arrival before departure, and the standard 3 hours in case of any hiccups, would be safer.