Before you travel by plane, you should be prepared to stand in more than one line. Going through the necessary pre-flight formalities at the airport takes a lot of time. That is why it is very important to arrive at the airport terminal on time. Experienced travelers who are familiar with all the nuances know perfectly well how long before departure they need to be at the airport. What to do if you are not yet very experienced in this matter? Then this article is for you. Let's figure out what conditions passengers should know, how long all the necessary procedures take, and whether this process can be accelerated.

Airline conditions

How long before departure is it optimal to arrive at the airport? It is not always possible to give a number accurate to the minute. The fact is that the time of arrival at the airport depends on many factors. Let's list some of them:

Flight direction (domestic or international transportation);

Specific requirements of the carrier;

Availability of luggage (and especially oversized luggage, including objects of art, animals, etc.);

Possibility of electronic check-in for a flight.

It is also important to take into account the seasonal factor. During the peak tourist season, on weekends and holidays, and during morning or evening rush hours, traffic on the road to the airport may be difficult. So the travel time should be calculated taking into account possible delays along the way.

Experienced travelers are well versed in familiar airports, know where the check-in and security checkpoints are and where to go next, so they can afford to linger a little on the way. But you shouldn’t overuse it here either.

In addition, when entering an airport you often have to go through a small security screening area. Usually this formality takes no more than a couple of minutes, but sometimes a queue can form here. So it’s worth setting aside a small amount of time, at least five minutes, for this.

To avoid unpleasant moments and unnecessary delays, prepare in advance and place in a separate compartment of your bag all the documents necessary for the flight. So, if you are, keep your passport and itinerary receipt with your boarding pass ready. If you are flying abroad, your package of documents must include a foreign passport (with a visa stamped, if required by the laws of the country). In some countries, you may be asked to show proof of insurance and proof of financial security at your arrival airport.

Flights with animals also require additional time. Please note that your pet will have to undergo a veterinary inspection at the airport, after which you will be issued permission to fly and a boarding pass. This also takes time, especially not only you, but also other passengers with four-legged friends undergo veterinary control.

Pre-flight formalities include several procedures: check-in for the flight and baggage handling, customs clearance, pre-flight inspection, passport control and boarding the plane. Let's look at these procedures in more detail.

Checking in on board the aircraft at the boarding complex building

What's the first thing you need to do when you arrive at the terminal building? Of course, register. By the way, it is the time frame associated with passenger check-in and baggage check-in that both experienced travelers and the airlines themselves advise to focus on.

Check-in times vary depending on where you're traveling to. For domestic flights, check-in of passengers and baggage by airport terminal staff begins two hours before the plane departs. It is at this time that the airlines themselves recommend that clients arrive at the terminal building.

Check-in for international flights opens earlier. This is due to the large number of required procedures: in addition to inspection before departure, you will face customs and border inspections. In this regard, when flying abroad, airlines recommend that tourists arrive at the airport at least three hours before flight departure. During this time, you will have time to calmly go through all the required formalities and arrive on time at the desired gate to board the plane.

Please remember that the airline may refuse to transport a passenger who is late for check-in or boarding. This provision is fixed in Art. 91 of the Federal Aviation Rules “General rules for air transportation of passengers, baggage, cargo and requirements for servicing passengers, shippers, consignees.” Thus, check-in for domestic flights usually ends 30-40 minutes before departure, for international flights a little earlier - 40-60 minutes. Boarding ends 20-25 minutes before flight departure.

Electronic check-in

Today, many airlines offer passengers an alternative to checking in directly at the airport. For convenience and to save time, you can register electronically on the airline’s website. These actions allow the passenger to reduce the time spent in the “airport” - you can calmly finish all your work and arrive an hour and a half before departure.

Usually, Online check-in for a flight opens one day before the plane departs.

There are several advantages of electronic check-in. If the ticket fare requires the passenger to choose a seat, then you will be able to study the layout of your aircraft’s cabin in advance and calmly and choose the most convenient seats for you. Accordingly, if you are flying with a companion or family, you are guaranteed to know that you are sitting next to each other.

When you check in online, you will receive a boarding pass by email. All that remains is to print it out (you can do this at home or at self-service counters at the airport). So you no longer have to stand in line at the check-in counter.

But there is one nuance that should be taken into account. If you are traveling with a suitcase, you will have to check it in. Some airports do not have separate counters for passengers to drop off their luggage; you will be asked to do this at the same counters where other passengers check in. You can clarify these points by contacting a representative of the airline you have chosen by calling the hotline.

In addition, this service is not available on all flights and not to all categories of passengers. Thus, electronic check-in is not available if you are accompanying people with disabilities or traveling with a small child who does not occupy a separate seat. You will have to go through check-in at the airport if you are bringing valuable works of art or pets.

You can also find out the airline's recommendations on the carrier's website. For example, one of the largest Russian airlines, Aeroflot, clarifies that if you are traveling with luggage, even in the case of online check-in, you must arrive at the check-in counter no later than 45 minutes before the flight departure. If you only have hand luggage with you, you must be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before departure. At this point you must go through security control.

Passing security check

Upon arrival at the airport, passengers go through several stages of inspection. The first is at the entrance to the terminal building. You need to go through metal detectors, and here employees inspect the contents of bags and suitcases. In Russia, there are frames at the entrance to all airports; in other countries, it happens that there is no such area or the inspection is carried out selectively.

After checking in and checking in luggage, passengers proceed to special security screening areas. Security officers here carefully check whether the passenger is carrying prohibited items on himself or in his hand luggage. It is worth taking into account the queues at the inspection points and the time it takes to remove outer clothing, belts, and in some cases shoes. In general, this procedure takes about 10-20 minutes, sometimes taking up to half an hour.

Please note that in the inspection area only those things that the tourist takes with him into the aircraft cabin are checked. Baggage checked at the check-in counter is checked without the presence of the passenger.

In order not to get stuck at this stage, you need to study in advance the list of permitted and prohibited items. In particular, there is a general ban on the carriage of flammable and flammable substances, toxic compounds and weapons, both in checked luggage and in hand luggage. There are also strict rules regarding the carriage of liquids in the cabin of an airliner (they must be packed in containers with a volume of less than 100 ml, the total volume of liquid cannot exceed one liter). All this information can be found on the airline’s website, and, if necessary, clarified by calling the hotline. This way you will save time and nerves.

Save time in an Aeroport

How to quickly complete all the necessary formalities at the airport? There are several ways to save time.

If you are checking in online, please print and take with you all receipts and boarding passes for all passengers in advance. If you are traveling light, then with these documents you can safely bypass the check-in counters and go to the security check area.

Take a responsible approach to airline rules, especially when it comes to carrying things in the cabin and in luggage. Suitcases must not contain prohibited items, and their dimensions and weight must comply with the standards established by your carrier. Seizing prohibited substances and items and processing excess baggage requires additional time.

How to brighten up the wait at the airport

To ensure that passengers have something to brighten up the wait for their flight, the airports have everything they need: shops, restaurants, cafes, playgrounds for children, rooms for mothers and children. Passengers await their flight in the general lounge or business lounges (depending on the ticket purchased or the availability of individual privileges).

If your flight is delayed, you are entitled to additional free services. When your flight is delayed by more than two hours, you are entitled to a free soft drink or two phone calls. If your flight is delayed by more than four hours, you will be given free food. When your plane's departure is delayed by more than eight hours, passengers must also be accommodated in a hotel at the airline's expense, with a free transfer to and from the hotel.

Nuances for beginners

Think in advance about how you will get to the airport. Take into account the possibility of unforeseen situations: the taxi may be delayed, and there may be traffic jams on the way to the airport. If you travel by public transport, check its schedule. In Moscow, it is convenient to use Aeroexpress, a high-speed train that runs to the airport and back.

Always adhere to the time limits set by the airline. If you are late, it is not a fact that you will be able to get your money back for the ticket. In addition, a comfortable amount of time will save you from unnecessary fuss before the flight.

If you get confused at the airport or need help, contact your airline. They will always tell you where the counters you need are located and what to do in case of force majeure (if you are late, your flight is delayed or rescheduled).

It would be a good idea to study the airport map in advance so that you can get your bearings at home in the terminal areas and decide where you need to go to check in and where to drop off your bags. Some airports consist of several remote terminals, sometimes it can take up to half an hour to get from the entrance to the check-in area. Even if the airport is not very large, spend 5-10 minutes searching for the necessary check-in counters or other necessary areas. Please also take into account the queues for individual employees (for registration, inspections), this may take another 20-30 minutes.

Tourists who receive tickets and documents purchased from a travel agency at the airport before registration begin are advised to arrive half an hour before registration begins. Here you will first have to find the counter of your tour operator and, possibly, stand in line with other tourists.

Additional time will be required for baggage packing procedures at the airport and tax-free refund processing.

Allow an extra half hour if you want to purchase goods from duty free shops. When purchasing, do not forget that you should not open the package from the store until the end of the flight - some goods (alcohol, liquids with a volume of more than 100 ml) are not allowed in regular hand luggage, an exception is made only for packaged goods from Duty Free.

Not everyone can be punctual, but in the case of air travel this quality is irreplaceable. If you are late to check in for a flight, the passenger risks being left at the departure point and losing the money spent on the ticket. Airlines do not pay compensation if the passenger was unable to fly out of the country due to delays not related to force majeure.

So, if you do not want to disrupt your own plans, calculate the time for your trip to the airport in advance, taking into account traffic jams and other possible circumstances.

How long before departure do you need to be at the airport?

You need to arrive at the airport several hours before departure in order to have time to go through registration, passport control and other necessary procedures, without which boarding on the flight cannot be carried out.

Each airline company sets a certain time limit for check-in for a flight.

Most Russian carriers adhere to this rule:

• check-in for domestic flights begins 2 hours before departure and ends 40 minutes;
• for international flights - 3 hours, check-in ends 40 minutes before departure of the aircraft.

Tourists planning to travel should arrive at the airport in advance. According to airline regulations, only a certain number of animals can be carried on board an aircraft. If you are not one of the first to check in, your pet will have to travel in the hold.

The same recommendation is relevant for passengers planning to fly on heavily loaded flights. If there are not enough seats for all passengers, travelers last in line will have to wait for the next flight to leave the country.

When to arrive at the airport for an international flight

Passengers on international flights are advised to arrive at the airport 3-4 hours before departure. In addition to registration, you need to go through customs, passport and visa control and hand over your belongings.

When to arrive at the airport for a domestic flight

To board a domestic flight, you can arrive at the airport terminal 1.5-2 hours before departure. The main thing is to have time to complete check-in, which ends 40 minutes before the plane departs.

If you quickly completed all the necessary procedures, and there is still quite a lot of time before departure, spend it usefully. The airport has many facilities for a comfortable stay for passengers waiting to board their flight. There are cozy waiting rooms, cafes and restaurants for a snack, playrooms for children, etc.

When do you need to arrive at the airport when going through electronic check-in?

Many travelers have been using the electronic flight check-in service for a long time, which allows them to save personal time and leisurely go to the airport, where they no longer have to stand in long queues to receive their luggage.

How long in advance you need to arrive at the airport for departure if you have an electronic document confirming registration via the Internet, you can read here.

Online registration opens 23 hours before and closes 4 hours before. Charter flight passengers can also check-in online, which opens 6 hours before departure and closes one hour before departure.

To avoid being late for your flight, plan your time to go to the airport correctly. Be sure to take into account the traffic congestion, which is especially important for residents of large cities. If you are planning a flight with baggage of a certain category (for example, valuable cargo, transportation of pets, etc.), leave for the airport in advance in order to have time to go through all the necessary pre-flight procedures, without which boarding will not be possible.

Travel often begins with stress, as there is little time to go through mandatory controls and other procedures at the airport. We will tell you how to always maintain a good mood when flying.

How can I know that my plane will depart on time?

Before departure, it's worth reviewing your flight details again. The best way to do this is on the airline or airport website. Directly at the airport, all the necessary information can be obtained by looking at the board. But you should not rely too much on the fact that the indicated flight delay will actually occur. Airlines often quote longer delay times.

How long in advance do you need to arrive at the airport?

It is recommended to arrive at the airport 90-120 minutes before boarding. Please note: many airlines close check-in 30-60 minutes before departure. Therefore, you should not think that “the plane will not fly without you.” You should also have time in reserve in case of unforeseen situations or delays in traffic jams. There may also be queues at the airport.

How long does it take to register?

Customers of many airlines can check in for a flight and select their seat online 24 hours before departure. Often, especially on holidays, it can take a long time to check in luggage. Therefore, it is better to allocate another 30 minutes for check-in and baggage drop-off.

How long does it take to pass control?

If you are lucky, the metal frame will not jingle and nothing suspicious or eye-catching will be found in your hand luggage, then the control will go through quite quickly. It is better to allocate about 30 minutes to go through the control, as there may be a queue and even if it is small, sometimes one person is enough to significantly delay the rest.

To avoid delays in inspection, you should follow these steps:
- place all containers with liquids in the required transparent plastic bag;
- take off in advance everything that can make the metal frame ring: jacket, belt, jewelry and, if necessary, shoes, and place all these items in a special plastic container;
- remove items from the pockets of your clothes and place them in a plastic container;
- prepare your ticket in advance;
- put gadgets and accessories (for example, a charger) in a plastic container;
- wait for instructions from staff.

When should you be at the gate?

After registration and control, continue to monitor the information on the board. Sometimes boarding may begin earlier than stated. This does not mean that the plane will take off earlier. As a rule, for short flights and domestic flights, boarding for the flight begins 20-30 minutes before departure, for long-haul flights - 30-40 minutes.

• present your passport and boarding pass;
• remove outer clothing;
• take off shoes upon request;
• remove all metal objects, jewelry, watches;
• put the laptop and devices separately so that they can be opened and checked;
• if necessary, open the bag at the request of the control officer;
• put things on the tape for viewing;
• pass through a frame or x-ray.

Interesting!

There is a separate counter for people who cannot go through security because they have a pacemaker or for other reasons. Contact the control officer.

You must present your passport and boarding pass to verify the information on the ticket with your details. They also check that you have exited correctly to ensure that you have not accidentally headed to the wrong terminal or to the wrong flights. After making sure that everything is in order, the control officer makes a note or marks the boarding barcode in the system. This way the system will know that you have passed the security check area and there will be no need to ask you to go to the exit using the speakerphone.

After security, if the flight is international, you go through passport control. Customs officers check the visa, compliance of passport data, and the absence of restrictions on departure. The process usually takes a couple of minutes if there are no complications. After passing through customs control, you find yourself in a clean zone.

Clean zone

This term refers to the space in front of the boarding gates, after all the control lines. You can't leave the clean zone without a good reason, so make sure you don't forget anything. This space is the departure waiting area. Usually in a clean area there are cafes, restaurants, and shops. There is also a duty free trade area located here. So, if you are flying to another country and planning to go shopping, arrive early. Passengers who fly in transit from one point to another through a third-party airport immediately find themselves in a clean zone. Try to find out in advance where the smoking rooms, shops and restaurants you need are located. The clean zone is a barrier that is difficult to overcome without reason.

Online registration

Online check-in will help reduce the time you need to spend at the airport. Not all airlines provide it, plus it is not always possible to print your boarding pass at the airport. But this way you can reserve your place in case of overbooking, so we advise you to always use online registration if it is available.

Interesting!

Overbooking is a common practice. According to airlines, a flight always sells a little more tickets than needed, since not all passengers arrive at the airport.

But even if you registered at home, in some cases you will still have to stand in line. For example, if there are no separate luggage drop-off counters. You will also need to contact employees if you:

• fly with children;
• accompanying disabled people;
• take your pets with you;
• not sure about the dimensions of your luggage;
• you cannot print the ticket;
• fly on a transit flight.

For passengers flying from one point to another with transfers, their own rules apply. Sometimes you can send your luggage straight away. But on some flights you will have to get it and hand it in again at the new airport. This usually happens if the flight connection is more than 12 hours or the airport changes. For example, if you fly from Vladivostok to Domodedovo, and then fly from Sheremetyevo to Paris. This must be taken into account when planning your route.

Possible problems

Circumstances may delay you at the airport. If you find out everything in advance and follow the rules, then you don’t have to worry. Carefully read the rules that are on each ticket, and when traveling abroad, check the presence of debts (for free travel from Russia) and the characteristics of another country. For example, the popular spicy cabbage dish “kim chi” cannot be exported from South Korea. Problems that may arise due to:

• errors in ticket data;
• excess in the suitcase;
• presence of things that need to be declared;
• non-compliance of hand luggage and baggage with standards;
• items prohibited from being exported or imported from the country;
• circumstances preventing travel abroad.

For example, if you have unpaid fines that exceed the allowable amount, you will not be able to leave the country. Be sure to check your payment information on the State Services website. It is better to do this in advance, otherwise you may not have time to solve the problem before the day of departure.

All rules for the import and export of food, plants and other items are publicly available. They are not universal, there may be differences in different countries. All rules can be found on the website of the airport or consulate. Study them before departure to avoid getting into an unpleasant situation. When you fly on a transit flight, it all depends on the transfer. If the wait in the transit zone is less than 12 hours, and the departure is from the same airport, you will not have to receive luggage, and therefore you will not have to go through security checks either. And on the contrary, if you have to change the departure point and receive a suitcase, you will need to go through customs control at the transfer point. And even if you can export sausage from Russia and import it into Japan, you will have to throw it away at Seoul airport, where you will have to leave the clean zone.

What to do if you are late

First step: check in for your flight online. This way you can reserve your seat and can shorten the procedure at the airport. At some airports it is not even necessary to print your boarding pass: a QR code in the application is enough. But the function does not work everywhere. Check the information on the airport website in advance. It simplifies the procedure for traveling with hand luggage if it meets all the parameters. This way you won’t have to waste time weighing and marking your luggage. You can get your hand luggage tag without queuing at the check-in counter.

Please be aware that if you are late, another passenger may take your seat due to overbooking. And if you are at the airport on time for check-in, you can count on compensation. If registration has already ended, and you arrived in less than an hour (for international flights) or 40 minutes (domestic), then it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve your goal. So check in online or arrive at the airport early to give yourself time to sort out any problems.

When to arrive at the airport

If you are flying for the first time, going to an unfamiliar airport, or traveling by non-high-speed transport (metro, Aeroexpress), then leave in advance, a few hours before departure. You will need to find the desired counter, terminal, go through all the required procedures, the road, and move around the terminal building. Those who:

• travels with animals;
• accompanies disabled people;
• transports a large amount or goods for declaration;
• wants to apply for tax free (when leaving a foreign country);
• going to go shopping.

First of all, upon arriving at the airport, find the desired terminal and board. It displays flights, their status, check-in start time, and the counters you need. Terminals for printing coupons are usually located nearby. Following the signs you can also find luggage drop-off points. Once you've checked in, you can go through security and enter a clean area, or spend time in the general area of ​​the airport. Even if there are no complicating circumstances, try to arrive at least:

• one hour before departure for domestic flights;
• 1.5 hours – international;
• in 2-3 hours – if you want to spend time at the airport.

Interesting!

To avoid being overweight as a surprise, weigh your luggage at home. Check that it matches the parameters specified on the ticket.

Boarding the plane

After passing through security, passengers wait in a clear area near the boarding gate. You are usually invited directly onto the plane half an hour or twenty minutes before departure. It all depends on the number of people, the capacity of the plane and how busy the airport is. Passengers often board several different flights within an hour from the same gate. There is no point in standing in line; it will not speed up your time on the plane, since the seats have already been allocated. But if you have a lot of bags or a large carry-on luggage with you, then this makes sense. Otherwise, other passengers will take up the empty seat.

There is no need to rush before boarding. You have gone through all the necessary procedures, checked in your luggage and now all that remains is to board the plane. To enter you will need a passport and boarding pass. Depending on the flight, airline and airport, entry to the plane may be through the sleeve or through the ramp, with a bus ride. In the latter case, it is better to be close to the exit in advance: the journey will take time. The sleeve is a special corridor that leads from the airport directly to the plane. It is moored next to the exit, you can see it from the window: they are usually transparent. If there is very little time left before departure, and you don’t see an airplane nearby, you will most likely have to take a bus.

It is always better to arrive at the airport in advance. There may be problems with tickets, check-in or luggage. But even if everything is in order, you will have time to calmly walk around the shops, drink coffee before the flight, and find the right terminal without haste. Optimal time: a couple of hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Before your trip, be sure to read the rules for importing and exporting goods from the country, and recommendations for luggage dimensions. If you are traveling with pets or accompanying disabled people, arrive even earlier.

Traveling by air requires responsibility and punctuality of the passenger, because you will have to arrive at the airport in advance. Check-in, baggage handling, boarding - these standard procedures are familiar to tourists who fly frequently. However, people who have a question about how long before departure they need to be at the airport. Let's deal with this problem and clarify some of the nuances of the topic.

It is difficult to indicate the optimal time of arrival at the airport. This factor is determined by the direction of the flight, the specific requirements of the carrier, the availability of checked baggage, and the ability to check in for the flight on the Internet. In addition, the ability to quickly navigate the terminal of the runway complex allows the tourist to linger a little on the way. However, in such situations it is appropriate not to abuse your own time.

Remember, pre-takeoff procedures include clearing customs, security and boarding. When a person has completed self-registration online in advance, the airline allows arrival at the terminal forty minutes before the departure of the aircraft. During this time, it will be possible to undergo pre-flight inspection if the passenger is not carrying oversized items or excess baggage.

Keep in mind that the pet requires additional inspection by airport terminal employees, so it is advisable to have a maximum time reserve here.

To minimize potential problems, prepare the necessary paperwork for your flight. Travelers are advised to keep their passport and itinerary receipt with their boarding pass ready. However, this package of documents is appropriate when traveling around Russia. When planning an international flight, additionally prepare your passport and visa if the conditions of entry into a particular country require the tourist to receive this document in advance. Although the conditions for crossing the borders of individual states allow a permit stamp, which is placed directly by the airport terminal employee.

Checking in on board the aircraft at the boarding complex building

Since the first step for a traveler before a flight is registration, let us clarify how many hours in advance check-in for a plane at the airport begins. This procedure directly depends on the type of flight. Usually, in order to get approved for flights within the country, a passenger only needs to arrive two hours before the stated departure time of the plane. Moreover, airlines finish processing passengers on average 40 minutes before departure.

It is appropriate to check specific information on this issue on the airline website or from an employee by contacting a company representative by phone. However, today a reasonable alternative is available that reduces temporary losses of passengers - electronic check-in. Moreover, the service is available to the carrier’s clients a day before the scheduled take-off of the aircraft. For this reason, most citizens prefer to use modern technological advances.

Keep in mind that such a service also involves choosing a suitable chair in a relaxed home environment. Here, the passenger arrives at the terminal already having a boarding pass in hand, and this fact saves the person from having to stand in line at the counter or self-service terminal of the airport terminal.

True, such a service today is not available to all categories of citizens. The exceptions here are people who accompany sedentary people or children, airline customers transporting valuable art objects or pets. Considering that we have considered the main aspects of the question of how long it takes to arrive at the airport for domestic flights to arrange departure, let’s deal with the problem of international routes.

Here the task for the passenger is complicated by additional customs clearance and checks of entry documents. For these reasons, airlines recommend that tourists arrive at the airport for an international flight three hours before departure. This time interval allows you to slowly go through the necessary procedures and catch the boarding announcement. Of course, online registration simplifies the task somewhat and allows the traveler to arrive at the terminal an hour and a half before the officially announced departure.

Passing security check

An important and mandatory step for tourists on all types of flights is the inspection of passenger luggage. Airline customers go through this procedure before boarding, so when planning a trip it is appropriate to take into account the time spent on security checks. Control involves identifying items in the belongings of airline clients that are prohibited for transportation by the airliner, and becomes a component of flight safety.

If a passenger plans to check-in at the airport terminal, travel bags for the luggage compartment are inspected by employees without the presence of the client. In such situations, tourists take part only in verification. Once the traveler has registered online, the airport terminals here offer screening at a specially designated counter.

This process takes 10–20 minutes. It will be possible to reduce the verification procedure to a minimum if you clarify in advance the list of things that are prohibited for transportation in the aircraft cabin and luggage compartment.

Airlines form according to approved tariff schedules, so it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the rules for carrying luggage on a particular carrier’s aircraft when booking seats. Although the general prohibition on transportation applies to flammable and flammable liquids and substances, explosives, toxic compounds, and weapons. Airlines limit the transportation of liquids in the cabin to one liter and have strict requirements for the packaging conditions of such cargo. Therefore, familiarization with the airline conditions is a mandatory step for the passenger, which reduces the time spent on checking travel bags.

Nuances for beginners

Experienced travelers always try to have some free time before boarding a flight. After all, registration stops 40 minutes before the plane departs, and boarding stops twenty minutes before. Passengers who have not completed the necessary formalities on time are not allowed on board by the carrier. Considering that it will not always be possible to get your money back for a failed trip, it is appropriate to adhere to the time frame allotted by the airline and arrive at the departure point on time.

Do not forget that on the way to the air terminal there may be traffic jams and other unforeseen situations, so it is advisable to properly plan the time for travel to the runway complex. In addition, you can save time when using online services for booking and registering air tickets. Such actions will add an “extra” half hour to an hour to the tourist, which they will be able to plan for force majeure on the road.

Visiting the airport for the first time forces the traveler to waste time searching for the necessary counters and offices. Therefore, allow another 5–10 minutes for such actions. Don’t forget about the queues for specific categories of airport terminal employees. Passengers spend up to 20 minutes on this.

Regarding visits to duty-free shops, it is advisable to take this point into account. After all, such zones offer for sale goods that airlines allow for free transportation in hand luggage. The main thing is to keep the receipt and original packaging in order to present these items at control. It is appropriate to calculate the time for visiting Duty Free based on personal needs and capabilities. Although it takes some people up to 25 minutes to get acquainted with the presented assortment.

Save time

Some travelers are interested in how to speed up the process of completing formalities at the airport. Here, airline employees recommend using several available tips. Online check-in requires documentary confirmation. Therefore, print out the receipt and coupon in advance to arrive at the checkpoint with the necessary papers. It is also appropriate to duplicate this information on electronic media.

You can save personal time by studying the rules and operating procedures of airlines in order to pack your suitcases correctly and in accordance with the carrier’s requirements

When packing suitcases, try to ensure that the weight and dimensions of the bags comply with the carrier's standards. Please remember that booking seats for an additional fee will take more time. Try to resolve such issues in advance. And if you are traveling lightly, it is advisable to first have your luggage checked. These simple tricks save travelers time, which beginners spend on registration.

How to brighten up the wait

Situations where travelers fail to time things correctly happen every day. Newcomers arrive long before departure, but go through the necessary procedures quite quickly. That is, people have at least half an hour left before boarding the plane is announced. In addition, a delay in the departure of the aircraft due to technical reasons cannot be completely ruled out. Carriers understand the complexity of this problem and have created comfortable conditions so that customers can spend their free time without losing comfort.

For the convenience of customers, comfortable conditions for waiting for a flight have been created on the territory of the takeoff and landing complexes: halls, areas for children, cafeterias and shops.

At the airport, passengers have the right to wait for their flight for free in the general lounge or special VIP rooms, if the purchased air tickets provide for such services. On the territory of the complex, parents with children have access to a separate children's area. Clients hand over their luggage to a storage room without additional fees. If flight delays are up to two hours, tourists are offered drinks.

When a flight is delayed by 4 hours, travelers have the right to count on hot meals, and flight delays that last more than eight hours allow passengers to qualify for a bed in a hotel at the expense of the airline.

Study the flight rules, baggage transportation standards and air ticket tariff plans - this information will help you navigate the packing of travel bags and reduce the time of going through control. However, do not forget that any cargo that does not fit into standard standards requires additional clearance and payment. Accordingly, such a situation requires the person to arrive at the airport in advance.

Completing pre-flight formalities requires passengers to arrive at the airport in advance
Check-in for domestic flights begins two hours before and ends 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Considering that traveling abroad requires verification of passenger documents and customs control, airline employees recommend that clients arrive at the airport 3 hours before the plane takes off.
Inspection of the passenger's luggage takes place after check-in, but takes up to half an hour
If you are flying for the first time, keep in mind that there are queues at the airport checkpoints, and there may be congestion on the way to the airport