We are flying direct from FCO to the USA. We are just going to have carry on luggage only.
How early do we need to get to the airport?
Do we need to go to the American check-in counter to get a formal ticket or can we check-in online and print out a ticket?
Do we need a security ticket on the passport?
Thanks for the help! This is our first big trip to Europe and we're trying to avoid a super early morning!
What time is your departure? At FCO, early morning flights are a bit different than later in the day. The desks don't open super early. I always try to be at the airport 3 hours in advance if your flight is going international. Even when I don't have a bag to check, I like to go to the ticket counter and get my boarding pass. You could always print your boarding pass online and then just check in at the desk to show them your passport. Are you going to be doing any VAT refunds? If so, you'll need a little time at the airport to take care of that. I'm not sure what a security ticket on your passport means, sorry! It's not a hard airport to get around. You'll be fine:)
We fly out at 9:15AM on American Airlines.
I've read that I for sure need to be there 3 hours prior to take off but I am wondering if by using a carry on bag saves a lot of time and I can skip the American Airlines counters completely.
Thanks for the help!!!
Best resource might be the airline itself. We try for a full 3 hours on any direct transAtlantic flight, going or coming.
As Laura said, check with the airline. Absent advice otherwise, 3 hrs would be wise.
You're flying international, irregardless of your baggage situation, you should get there 3-hrs in-advance of your departure minimum. The biggest hang-up for you is going to be avoiding any traffic complications on the way or, at the airport, and praying any lines you encounter are short and speedy. Get through security, go to your gate and verify you're checked-in.
Tickets you can use the airline app on your smartphone, just don't squirrel-away your passport as you'll be pulling it out a few times for security and verification.
Last time we flew out, we told the shuttle company picking us up at our hotel what time we were flying out. They know what time to pickup outgoing travelers. We had plenty of time to spare. We had little road traffic going to FCO that early.
At least you're not taking one of the 6:00 a.m. flights travelers get stuck with not realizing they're just going to fly to another gateway European airport where they sit around until noon until all the flights head west. It's bad enough flying 7-9 hours, especially if you've been up half the previous night getting ready to leave.
I've flown American from FCO many times with carry-on luggage, online check-in and a pre-printed ticket. If you were familiar with FCO, you could probably get away with 2.5 hours. Since you're not, I suggest you stick with the recommended 3 hours. The security lines are unpredictable and the walk from the terminal to the departure gate is now very long. I never stop at the counter unless I have a question, and putting a security sticker on the passport is no longer done. I suggest you add the American Airlines app to your cell phone. It can be used to check in and to monitor updates on your flight.
Edit: A couple of ideas to allow for a little bit of extra sleep. Unless your hotel is within a very short walk of Termini, take a taxi or shuttle directly from your hotel to the airport. If you're quite close, there's a Leonardo Express departing around 6am that will work for you. Skip breakfast at the hotel (unless they give you a take away) and have breakfast once you're past security and passport control at the airport. There will be multiple options near the gate and along the way or, if your hotel gave you a take away breakfast, you can buy coffee to go along with it.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Frank in particular very helpful. My biggest concern was whether to get in line at check-in or keep moving towards security. Hate having to turn around and go backwards!
I would definitely be at the airport 3 hours ahead. When we were going home out of FCO this summer - our 16 year old was randomly selected for advanced security screening and we could not get his boarding pass ahead of time online at our hotel. We had to go through a VERY long line at the airport to get checked in. Yes- they required him to check in at the American Airlines desk and there were lots of people in line. Took over an hour! We made it through security but very little time at the gate before they started boarding. He had to go through additional screening again at the gate. It is always better to be safe than sorry and be at the airport early!!
You don’t need to line up at the check in desk if you are not dropping any bags. Print your boarding pass and head to the gate. Since it’s an extra Schengen flight you will go through Passport Control where a Police Officer will check your passport.
As Frank said the security line at FCO is unpredictable, but if you already have a boarding pass in your hand and since you have no need to stand in line at the bag drop, 2.5 hours are more than adequate. You will have time for breakfast and shopping before boarding, guaranteed. Those who say need 3 hours will be spending at least half hour in line at the bag drop, but you are skipping that step.
For US bound flights, I generally show up 2.5 hours even when I have bags to drop, and always made it with some time to spare. So if you get there at 6:45 it’s enough. There is no traffic at that time of the morning, but the taxi ride is still 30-35 min (FCO is over 30km away from the city center).
I would also recommend arriving three hours prior to departure. You still need to stand in line to check-in and then proceed to security. My departure thinking is this: I would rather sit at the gate and be bored rather than racing to make the flight.
Buon Viaggio,
The OP does not need to stand in line to check in if he has no bags to check in.
Check in can be accomplished online.
So if Airlines suggest 3 hours for those with checked baggage why would someone with no bags to check (therefore no line for the check in) still need 3 hours?
Checking bags is often the longest line, even longer than security.
Roberto, I agree with you. I'm planning to arrive 2.5 hours prior.
On the outbound from the US with no bags to check I will arrive 1.25 - 1.5 hours before take-off.
I appreciate everyones input and I agree no reason to be stressed flying out but that sounds like plenty of time for my situation.
Also appreciated the idea that everyone of asking the Rome transfer companies and they recommend 2.5 hours!
Roberto,
I did not know it was possible to check-in without waiting in line and using a self-check-in method. Thanks for the clarification.
Buon Viaggio,
