We usually fly economy and know you should be at the airport 2-3 hours before flight departure. Is this different if we are flying first-class? I don't want to sit at the airport any longer than I absolutely have to.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Nope. If you need to use the counter to talk to an agent, you might shave a little.
What speeds things up is being pre-check qualified.
Once you get to the gate and boarding actually starts you'll get on first if you're there, otherwise you shuffle along with maybe a short cut at the last minute.
All the time disappears between walking in the front door of the terminal and greeting to the gate. Except for pre-check, everybody's equal.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
Some airports do have a separate security line for business and first class travelers, and those with elite frequent flyer status, but that generally only saves a very small amount of time getting to the gate.
You will likely get to use the airline's lounge, so that will make the wait more comfortable.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Depending on which airport you are flying out of, inquire about waiting in the airline's First Class Lounge (if they have one - not every airport does).
Posted by
Chicago
792 posts
The recommendation for international flights is to be there 2 hours before, regardless of how much time you think it is going to take you to get through security. That being said, you will probably get through security very quickly because most (if not all) airports have priority check in and security lines for first class and business class. And flying first class internationally usually gets you free access to the lounges like Admirals Club/United club etc . So just enjoy your time and relax. It's better than missing your flight if you check in late.
Posted by
2081 posts
hmmmm
2 hours in the airport and 10+ hours on the plane.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33840 posts
You could always ask the airline you will using what their advice is for the particular airport you will be using is./
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
If you fly first class you get to use the first class lounge by definition - - no 'may'. Actually, the lounge generally serves more than first class customers. The lounge may be nowhere near the gate since there's generally only one per terminal/concourse.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
In some European airports you should leave the first-class lounge well before take-off. The departure gate may have its own security line where you may or may not take precedence. Some lines close the cabin doors half an hour before the announced take-off time.
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2296 posts
Alexandra,
I can only speak for SeaTac, but they have special security lanes for first & business class. As of the end of January, they were still separate from TSA pre-check lanes. Once through, you use the airline's lounges, if they are convenient. Staff there will tell you when it's time to go to the boarding area.
Patty
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2790 posts
"Some airports do have a separate security line for business and first class travelers, and those with elite frequent flyer status, but that generally only saves a very small amount of time getting to the gate."
And there is NO guarantee these lines will be ANY faster then a normal line. I am qualified to use these lines in Atlanta and i avoid them at all costs.
Somehow my fellow travelers flew enough miles to be a Delta elite flyer last year without ever learning that "empty your pockets" means ALL pockets not just the one they feel like dealing with, or that cell phones clipped to your belt should come off, or that you only get two carry on.... Honestly the "entitled" seem to think that the TSA knows how "special" they are and often wind up going through the scanner about 3 times trying to remember the rules LOL!