A travel specialist has advised that passengers are giving themselves 'too much time' at airports, potentially wasting hours before flights. With the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) now in effect, knowing the precise check-in desk opening times can help travellers avoid unnecessary delays and reduce anxiety about missing flights due to lengthy passport control queues.
Expert Advice on Airport Timing
Travel specialist Kate Donnelly, known as @Thedonnellyedit, said: 'There is a lot of mixed information out there, and some people are saying that you need to get to the airport four to five hours before your departure. This is absolute nonsense. You need to be at the airport a minimum of three hours before your flight.'
She explained that bag drop desks at most European airports open only two hours before departure, occasionally three hours. Arriving four to five hours early means passengers simply sit waiting for check-in to open. After clearing security and duty-free, most airports have multiple border control points, but passengers must wait for their gate to be announced to know which one to use. Even those with hand luggage who go straight through will end up waiting in the main terminal. 'This is why getting there hours ahead of time is pointless,' she added.
Recommended Check-In Times by Airline
Timing varies by airline and route. Long-haul flights generally open check-in earlier due to additional security and document checks. Always confirm with your airline, as guidance may be provided days before departure. Below are general check-in desk opening times for popular carriers:
- British Airways: Two to three hours before the flight
- easyJet: Two hours before the flight
- Jet2: Three hours before the flight
- Ryanair: Two to three hours before the flight (airport dependent)
- TUI: 2.5 hours before (short-haul) / 3.5 hours before (long-haul)
- Virgin Atlantic: Four hours before the flight
Some airlines, including Jet2, easyJet, TUI, British Airways, and Ryanair, offer twilight check-in services for early departures. Passengers staying near the airport can drop bags the night before and head straight to security on travel day.
Understanding the EES System
The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) launched on October 12, 2025. This digital border system affects British citizens travelling to the Schengen area, which comprises 29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The UK, Republic of Ireland, and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen area, so EES does not apply there.
For short stays in Schengen countries on a UK passport, travellers may need to register biometric details (fingerprints and photograph) upon arrival. No pre-departure action is required, and registration is free. EES replaces manual passport stamping and may cause longer waits at border control, so travellers should plan accordingly.
