Flying from Glasgow to Amsterdam on a 6 am departure. Do I really need to be at airport by 3 am? My home airport is Seattle and yes I do give myself 3 hours. Never flown from Glasgow wondering if I really need that much time.
Thank you for any advice.
Kathleen
6:00 a.m. departures are quite common in Europe. But those that are catching connecting flights to North America will often find themselves sitting in a big gateway airport, like Schiphol/Amsterdam, until mid day until their flight for home leaves. I refuse to take those early flights, as most airports have another batch of airplanes leaving at 9:00 a.m. or so for the gateway airports.
It's hard enough flying 10 hours home without getting up at 3:00 a.m. after a hard night out on the town and sitting around two different airports for 6 hours or so in the morning.
If you're just flying to Amsterdam at 6:00 a.m., have a great time.
You might check what time the airport opens to customers. I would think that a "bad" Brexit could make this a tedious trip requiring plenty of extra time. Who said 3 hours? I use that number for Transatlantic flights, which this is not. What did the airline say? What is the name of the airline? Is it a bargain airline where you don't have an actual seat yet? I've never been to the Glasgow airport.
Are you perhaps saying you have a two-segment flight to Seattle, via Amsterdam? That's not clearly discernable. If so, I would remind you that the United State of America has set draconian requirements for airlines to provide them with an electronic passenger list some number (?) of hours before the plane lands - for security research reasons. The airline faces penalties for failing to comply. Are you going to be checking your luggage THROUGH to Seattle? That would call for a serious security screening in Glasgow.
I am flying Delta for the first time and while it is not a transatlantic flight I would still consider it an international flight. I read 3 hours for international. My layover in Amsterdam is under 2 hours then yes a long 10 hour flight back to Seattle but was worth it for the price I paid. Open jaw into Paris out Glasgow $872 extra inconvenience worth it to me.
Most airlines have a section on their websites a section noting for each airport they fly out of how many hours in advance they suggest you arrive. You might check to see if Delta’s website has such a section for Glasgow (or their partner airline if not a Delta flight).
The Glasgow airport website probably has similar information.
I find you get better information about when to arrive from the airport rather than from the airline.
First, I’d check to see how far in advance check-in opens for your airline:
https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/departing-from-gla/
Are you sure your flight out of Glasgow is on Delta metal? I suspect the flight is operated by a partner. You will want to check for the carrier that is actually operating the plane.
Yes, you really need to know when the airport opens. I once got up super early to get to Heathrow to catch a flight to Canada, only to find that the airport wouldn't open for another 45 minutes. There was quite a large group of us hanging out in the cold and damp waiting for the doors to open up.
In case you want to be right there by the airport, I can recommend both the Holiday Inn (excellent) and the Holiday Inn Express (pretty good) that are literally a stone's throw from the Glasgow terminal. I can't guarantee that their desk staff and everything is up and functioning through the wee hours, but that was my impression. IOW, they seem to realize that their business as an airport hotel is to cater to travelers early and late.
1) Your flight from Glasgow to Amsterdam is not on Delta as it does not fly this route. It is probably a codeshare operated by some other carrier. My guess is KLM. (Delta only operates flights at GLA to and from the U.S. )
2) You need to find out what time the airline desk opens up. If you are checking luggage, then you will have to go to the desk. If you just have carry on, print your boarding pass before heading to the airport and go directly to security. Glasgow is not that big of an airport and three hours seems like a lot. (I have never purposely shown up at an airport three hours ahead of time with just carry on.)
If it is KLM, the desk opens two hours before departure. So getting there three hours ahead of time will have you sitting for an hour.
Have you thought of how you are getting from your hotel to the airport.
Thank you all for the quick and informative responses! Yes, it is KLM and I did check airport website and it is only open 2 hours in advance. (thank you for saving me that extra hour sitting). I only have a carry on although I do like to check it when I am returning home. There is priority security offered for £4.99 at Glasgow not sure if that is necessary. I am traveling with a British friend she has us booked at the Scotia Airport Hotel in Paisley says 10 min to airport. I was going to take a taxi to airport.
I appreciate this forum and all the helpful responses.
Kathleen
If you are checking your bag, make sure it is tagged to SEA and ask if it needs a "short connection" tag as well. I assume that 2 hours or less for a layover is a short connection. Also make sure you have your boarding pass for the flight from AMS.
2 hours is plenty, Glasgow airport is quite small and last time I was through there it took me 7 minutes to check in my bags,buy something at the M&S shop in the airport and get through security.
I too have a 6.00am flight but next Friday from Edinburgh and I will be there a little less than 2 hours before the flight.
I often take 6am international flights from Gatwick. I am never there more than 90 minutes before the flight. Edinburgh isn’t as busy, so 90 minutes before your flight should be ample. Taking an early flight means, hopefully, no delays.
Afaik GLA airport is open 24/7. There's absolutely no need to be at the airport 3hrs in advance - I'd say even 2 hrs is a bit much, although given you're connecting onward to the US maybe just go with that.
There's no need to pay out for fast track security, you'll have way more time than you need.
Hi there
I agree totally with outshined78. Personally I would have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express which is walkable to the terminal. And I would allow 1.5 hours and I certainly wouldn't bother with priority security.
Jacqui (Skyegirl)
The guidance provided by airlines in Europe is 3 hours for long haul departures and 2 hours for intra Europe.
Thank you again for all the helpful informative suggestions. I will allow 90 min and not check my bag. I too would have booked closer to airport to walk but did not make arrangements. Since my friend is staying on in Glasgow for the day it was her choice where to stay.
I love this forum.
Kathleen
