How early to be at airport for WestJet to US flight

[cidley69]

Flying to Phoenix, takeoff listed at 9am Sunday.

Is 3 hours early for a US flight actually necessary?

How early do you typically arrive at airport?

[killramos]

I doubt much of the airport is open much before 7 anyway, depends on your travel anxiety levels but 2 hours is pretty safe.

[bjstare]

That's pretty early. I never go more than 2h early for US flight.

[RX_EVOLV]

2 is pretty safe. Although sunday morning is busier than you think, 3 hours is pretty extreme.

If you have Nexus you will get through security and customs in <15 mins.

[Rocket1k78]

We flew WJ a couple weeks ago, for international it said 150 mins. 2 hours is normally more than enough though, I saw a tip on reddit that said if the first US customs line(the left side of the airport closest to the hotel) is long you can go all the way down to the other end which is normally quieter.

[roopi]

I don't think there are two different areas for US pre clearance. I've never seen or heard of this before.

[pheoxs]

Baggage cutoff for the US is 60 minutes so I typically aim to be there 70 minutes before my flight unless its a peak hour later in the day. Also if you have the RBC wesjtet card they now have a priority line just for that if you don't have your Nexus card.

[killramos]

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I don't think there are two different areas for US pre clearance. I've never seen or heard of this before.

It is definitely different than the rest of international. There are 2 levels to the new terminal and the long section off to the east can be closed off to allow either US or international but never both at the same time.

[Xtrema]

https://www.yyc.com/en-us/travelleri...ycexpress.aspx

I assume this is redundant if you have Nexus?

[jwslam]

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https://www.yyc.com/en-us/travelleri...ycexpress.aspx

I assume this is redundant if you have Nexus?

YYC Express is only available to general screening passengers to help provide a better screening experience for those without a trusted traveller program and create efficiency where we have the highest demand. All Trusted Traveller guests can go to their dedicated lane at each security checkpoint as well to have their expedited experience. Members of expedited programs can still use YYC Express if they want to, but they will not be able to realize the same benefits and will follow general screening practices. We hope to include trusted traveller programs in the future!

[Cash Money Hoes]

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Flying to Phoenix, takeoff listed at 9am Sunday.

Is 3 hours early for a US flight actually necessary?

How early do you typically arrive at airport?

Recently had a flight to the states and had a long wait to drop bags, because we were with kids, we jumped the security line up and then had a long wait for customs (no nexus here). We were there 2 hours early and barely made the flight. If we did not have the kids with us and had to wait in normal security line, we would have missed the flight. If you have a business class ticket or nexus above goes out the window.

We try to be at airport no less than 2:15 hours in advance for US flights when flying economy.

The lesson I learned from this was don't be poor and exclusively fly business.

All of this said we have also been through everything in like 15 minutes because no lines and then have to wait for hour or more to board flight. But in this case, still pays to fly business class for lounge access.

[darthVWader]

Go 3hrs early. And if you get through security quickly, then more time for preflight beers

[Cagare]

Typically 2 hours if no access to Nexus/priority perks.

[ExtraSlow]

2 hours is plenty in Cowtown.

[Rocket1k78]

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Go 3hrs early. And if you get through security quickly, then more time for preflight beers

We do 3 hours with kids, that extra hour for me takes away so much of the anxiety. We've always been through within about an hour though.

[bjstare]

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We do 3 hours with kids, that extra hour for me takes away so much of the anxiety. We've always been through within about an hour though.

I'm the opposite, I cut it as close as I can with kids cause it's less time I have to keep them entertained in the airport/airplane. haha

[redline]

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We do 3 hours with kids, that extra hour for me takes away so much of the anxiety. We've always been through within about an hour though.

I find that adds to anxiety … damn kids are a pain to fly with …

[ExtraSlow]

Kids, not even once.

[killramos]

They happily let kids into the bars post security.

Just saying.

[ExtraSlow]

True fact.