How early should you arrive at the airport before a flight?

An individual can arrive as early as they would like before a flight. It is recommended to arrive 4 hours before an international flight, and 2 hours before a domestic flight. Airline check in policies can vary. If checking a bag with the airline, some airlines allow checking a bag up to 6 hours before boarding time, some airlines only allow checking a bag up to 4 hours before boarding time. It is important to check various policies before planning your travel.