How early to arrive before flight home from MCO

[KAYLI'S DAD]

I’ve heard some horror stories lately of missed flights and was wondering how early we should arrive at MCO before flight time to make flight. Rule of thumb is usually 2 hours but google search says 3. We fly home tomorrow at 9am and thought a weekday in middle of week shouldn’t be too busy.

 

[Ross Kratter]

At very least, 2 hours for domestic and 3 for international. Security lines at MCO can be crazypants.

 

[sam_gordon]

Do you have precheck? If so, subtract 15 minutes.
Do you need to check luggage? If so, add 15 minutes.
Do you have anything that impairs you or your traveling party regarding mobility?

Personally, I like 2 hours before.

 

[Bjkandma]

Mobility issues here - need manual pat down. We arrive 3 hours early and still can be running late. I have to wait for a "non busy female TSA agent. Better too early, than too late!!

 

[tvguy]

My travel agent lists MCO as an airport you should be at at least three hours before flight time. We got there 3 1/2 hours early and the line at security was so long, we literally walked right on our flight when we made it to the gate.

 

[tvguy]

Do you have precheck? If so, subtract 15 minutes.

Not necessarily. A friend shot this photo at SFO last Saturday.

 

[Lewisc]

According to MCO website current, 7:03a security wait time for gate 1-59 is 59 to 63 minutes.

You need to look at what time you need to be at the gate, not scheduled departure time. An A BP with SW won't do anything if you get to the gate late. Pre boards need to get to the gate early. Frontier pax are told on their BP doors close 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. First flights can and do push back early, sometimes 15 minutes

 

[KAYLI'S DAD]

We checked bags outside on curb to avoid line inside. Basically walked right through TSA with maybe waiting 1 minute

 

[sam_gordon]

Not necessarily. A friend shot this photo at SFO last Saturday.View attachment 674545

Well, I was answering the question posted in the OP, which was specific to MCO. How the SFO wait times affect that, I don't know.

 

[Lewisc]

Well, I was answering the question posted in the OP, which was specific to MCO. How the SFO wait times affect that, I don't know.

TSA Pre at MCO have occasionally been 20 minutes. Pax shouldn't assume zero wait.

 

[rangerxenos]

While I haven't used the service, I believe you can make an appointment at MCO to go through security now?

I would leave at least 2 1/2 hours if your flight is at a peak time (i.e. first thing in the morning), I had an early flight last month and the lines were insane at the airline check in; once I got through that, security wasn't too bad. Oh, how I miss resort check in for the flight home!

 

[holden]

Security at MCO can be a nightmare. Better to have lots of time to kill when you arrive at your gate than miss your flight. I think 2.5hrs is a good cushion.

 

[sam_gordon]

TSA Pre at MCO have occasionally been 20 minutes. Pax shouldn't assume zero wait.

Did I say there's a zero wait? My "base" time to arrive at MCO is 2 hours before the flight. That's walking through the doors. If everyone has precheck, I'll walk through the doors at 1:45 (subtract 15 minutes). If I need to check bags, I'll add 15 minutes (so 2:15). Thought that was simple enough math.

 

[Lewisc]

Did I say there's a zero wait? My "base" time to arrive at MCO is 2 hours before the flight. That's walking through the doors. If everyone has precheck, I'll walk through the doors at 1:45 (subtract 15 minutes). If I need to check bags, I'll add 15 minutes (so 2:15). Thought that was simple enough math.

PP posted a picture from SFO showing a 24 minute wait for pre. You asked what did that have to do with MCO. My comment is MCO pre can be 20 minutes

 

[Best Aunt]

We checked bags outside on curb to avoid line inside. Basically walked right through TSA with maybe waiting 1 minute

Unfortunately, not all airlines have curbside check-in at MCO these days. I don't think JetBlue or Southwest have it.

 

[PrinceRaki]

In 2019 we lost our flight (there was an accident and taxi was late then we were almost an hour in traffic). We arrived 60 min before our flight and couldn't check our luggage but they would allow us to fly with handbag only so we just rebooked our flight. Since then we are always outside the lobby 4 hours before to call taxi/uber. Traffic is unpredictable and better to calmly wait at the airport, it is huge with many stores to shop or just walk around

 

[chaoskids]

Unfortunately, not all airlines have curbside check-in at MCO these days. I don't think JetBlue or Southwest have it.

We've used curbside check-in with southwest in the last year.

 

[MrKnight]

If you are checking a bag, arrive at least 2.5 hours prior to your flight
If you are not checking a bag and/or have pre-check, you can arrive 2 hours prior

 

[Lewisc]

Airlines like Frontier don't offer curbside and don't have kiosk bag check/bag drop. You wait on line at the ticket counter. Some airports the Frontier agent who checks bags is also the gate attendant. Miss the deadline and the counter won't be manned.

 

[tvguy]

Well, I was answering the question posted in the OP, which was specific to MCO. How the SFO wait times affect that, I don't know.

I don't pay for TSA-Pre, but for some reason about half the time I fly I get it. Always on Southwest. Just never seen an advantage.