Next week, our return flight is on AA to DFW with a 10.10 departure. About how much FCO lead time has recently been needed for US flights?
I did a chat with an AA rep who said 3-4 hours. The guy did not seem knowledgeable.
In the meantime, I tweeted the airline with the same question. Calling AA wait-times rule calling out.
Thanks
Just about every airport everywhere is understaffed. You need to be there no later than three hours before. Trust us it’s much easier to be sitting at the gate bored then to be standing in the security line begging people to let you in front of them because you didn’t think you needed to be there three hours in advance.
Just the fact that you can’t get through on the phone line should give you a clue that things are very busy
When in doubt get there earlier than you think you'll need. I'd always rather be sitting at the gate bored than running and panicking.
In the 'good old days' the standard advice was 3hrs for an international flight.
I see no reason to believe things are better at this time.
We flew to IAD from FCO May 13 on United
We were checked in, checked baggage, thru security and at our gate 30 min after we got out of taxi
Flight was 10:45, we got there at 7:45
YMMV
We always arrive at least 3 hours prior
In multiple trips through Rome, even in the pandemic, we get there 2 hours, a little more, before departure.
Of course, we fly Delta, they have their own check-in area, we have priority, so shorter line, we know the drill, so waste little time. Still have plenty of time to grab a coffee and a snack before heading to the gate.
We took this exact same flight two weeks ago. From the USA, 3-4 hours before international flight is reasonable. While our Rome hotel said two hours in advance would be good, we opted for 2 1/2. The biggest problem was our COVID test results because I could never get anything to upload to the Verifly app. We made it through check-in and security (keep that passport out because you will show it several times) and made it to the gate in time to do a little duty-free shopping. That was a comfortable margin. Without the whole COVID, two hours would have probably had been plenty.
Thanks everyone for your input.
We arrived at FCO this morning about 3.5 hours before our American Air fight departure. Within 45 minutes, we were done with airline checkin, security and passport control. This is Day 2 of the US not requiring a negative Covid test, which probably helped the process.
Edited addition: Total time to gate to Gate E39 was 60 minutes. I did not realize there was also a short people mover-train on the way to the gate. Still impressively efficient….on our travel day.
Your results may vary.
I agree with the 3 hours belore. Better to be waiting in the airport than anxious. And Rome airport actually has some good food.
OP, how did it go?
Is there a maximum height requirement?
Or a sign "You Must Be This Tall to Ride this Attraction"
Sorry - this made me laugh
there was also a short people mover-train on the way to the gate
I will be there in a couple of days and always plan the three hours or more. I’m staying at the Hilton there, so hopefully that simplifies the last morning.
Glad to hear there’s good coffee at the end of the process!
