How early are gates assigned?

[codygirl5150]

We are flying out of Tulsa Int'l Airport (Tulsa, OK) in March. We don't fly often and have never been to this airport. As an over planner I was wondering how early gates are assigned to flights so I can be sure of where to go. (We're flying American Airlines if that matters) Thanks!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I am completely unsure of how early. I do know that in September, I checked the status of our flight the night before on the airport site and it gave me the gate#. This was about 10-11 pm the night before our 7 am flight.

 

[GEM]

Tulsa is a REALLY tiny airport. I don't think you'll have any problems at all finding your way around.

 

[Hannathy]

always check the board when you get there! Gates are always changing-less at a small airport then a big one but they do change. Ours changed as we were sitting at the gate this week, had to get up and move down 2 gates.

 

[CleveRocks]

always check the board when you get there! Gates are always changing-less at a small airport then a big one but they do change. Ours changed as we were sitting at the gate this week, had to get up and move down 2 gates.

I agree.

Really, I hate to say it, but you are overplanning a bit much now. Pre-2001, when you didn't need a boarding pass to go to gate areas, I could see you wanting the info so you could do a "dry run" of navigating the airport and finding your gate, but since you can't do that now ....

I agree with checking the boards, but even better, when you check in for your flight (either at the ticket counter or with a skycap), the person checking you in should tell you which gate to go to and how to get there.

 

[Super 27]

If you're flying AA, use their flight notification service. Go to their website, punch in your flight number and your cell phone number, and they'll send you either a text or voice message up to a day in advance telling you the gate and they'll also call you back with any gate or schedule changes (since gate changes, at least in the larger airports, can occur VERY last minute)

 

[DebbieB]

It's usually 24 hours, but often they are changed, sometimes even last minute.

 

[Ms. Belle]

Codygirl, when you return, could you please write about your experience at TUL; I'm flying out of there in June and have never been there either. I live in Rogers, AR, so I usually fly out of XNA, but the airfares were so much cheaper at TUL. I'm curious how long it will take to get there from Springdale, how the drive is i.e. confusing or easy, police presence, etc.

I would really appreciate it! Have a great time on your trip.

 

[tkhkroberts]

I am not sure how Tulsa works but at Milwaukee the daily flights pretty much have the same gate each day. I would just punch in the flight number you are taking for a couple of days, or even some airlines let you look a couple of days into the past, to see the history on the flight gate. Usually you can find this on the flight status area of the website. You can then get a map of the airport on the internet which will show you how to go. I hope this works out for you as well.

 

[safetymom]

They pretty much use the same gates all the time for a particular flight but they can change on a moments notice.

 

[DebbieB]

Here is a map of the terminal. In looking at today's flights, it looks like American uses gates 25 & 27.

http://www.tulsaairports.com/tia/preview_map.html

 

[bavaria]

if that's ALL the gates, there are only 18 total. It's a very small airport (I've flown into smaller, but that is a small one)

Even if you got changed from one gate to another in the other concourse, no biggie.

I think that you'll be just fine. If it was United at ORD where flights can change from B to C gates within minutes, you might have reason to worry. But in this case, save yourself the worry and just plan for a good flight.

 

[GEM]

Yep. It's TEENY-TINY. Nothing to worry about as far as finding your way around.

 

[marc1477]

Back in October I was flying home from St.Louis(STL-CAK) and there was a gate/plane change about 15 min before departure, just keep checking signs at the airport and also listen to overhead announcements.

 

[delilah]

One time, while waiting at O'Hare, my gate was changed twice. I had arrived about an hour before boarding. When gates are reassigned at O'Hare, things can get interesting. The second change was not announced, I just noticed that my flight wasn't posted as it got close to the time I thought boarding should begin. Fortunately, I wasn't taking one of the airlines that has cattle-call boarding, so, I got on my plane with my assigned seat just fine.

 

[codygirl5150]

Thanks everyone for your info. Yes, I know that I tend to overplan a little (or a lot!), but I have 2 1/2 months to wait, and wait, and wait. I'm just too excited NOT to overplan! We also have a layover at Dallas/Ft. Worth so any tips about this airport would be helpful too!

Codygirl, when you return, could you please write about your experience at TUL; I'm flying out of there in June and have never been there either. I live in Rogers, AR, so I usually fly out of XNA, but the airfares were so much cheaper at TUL. I'm curious how long it will take to get there from Springdale, how the drive is i.e. confusing or easy, police presence, etc.
I would really appreciate it! Have a great time on your trip.

I'm thinking I will try to write my very first trip report when we get back so I'll put airport trip in it too. Our plane leaves at 8:50 am so we're planning on leaving Springdale at 5:00 am. Isn't it crazy how much cheaper it is in Tulsa than XNA!!! We also found cheaper flights in Ft. Smith but they filled up before we were able to buy our tickets. I'm glad to see other NW Arkies here on the DIS!!!

 

[pppiglet]

Definately check the board when you get there. The guy that checked our baggage last time wrote the wrong gate# on our tickets. Luckily we checked the board!

 

[Ms. Belle]

I'm hesitant to fly out of Ft. Smith, because I've been at XNA departing for a flight when other flyers have come up to the desk saying that the Ft. Smith airport sent them up to XNA due to cancelled flights or overbooking. So I don't want to take a chance.

Can't wait for your trip report; have a good time!