Travellers warned over flight times this summer – normal rules for airport arrivals no longer apply

AIR travel is riddled with cancellations and delays this summer.

As a result, the traditional rules of when to arrive at an airport for a flight no longer apply.

A flight attendant has revealed that an hour is no longer enough for passengers to catch connecting flights and if at all possible, pay to travel direct.

According to cabin crew member Kristie Koerbel, even 30 minutes used to be an acceptable length of time to catch a connecting flight pre-pandemic.

But now, she suggests flying direct whenever possible, or leaving at least three hours for your layover.

In an article for , she wrote: “Always fly direct. That way, if you are delayed, you don’t need to worry about making your next flight.

“If you can’t avoid connecting, don’t book the shortest layover, because you’ll be building in stress and the possibility of missing your flight.

“A 1-hour layover is not enough anymore. Thirty minutes, not a chance. In most cases, 3 hours is safe.”

Kristie also recommends flying as early in the day as possible, saying the earlier flights are less likely to be cancelled.

In fact, even if you aren’t on a connecting flight, travellers have been asked to get to the airport earlier than they used to.

This summer, Brits have been warned to get to airports three hours before their flight to avoid the current travel chaos.

Previously, holidaymakers only needed to be an airport around two hours before a short-haul flight departed.

TUI and Ryanair have both made the recommendation to customers in recent weeks, as have airports in places like Brussels.

That’s not the only change travellers are being advised to make this summer to avoid being caught up in the travel chaos.

They’re also being advised to bring just one bag to board flights in order to beat the rush at chaotic airports.

Andy Prendergast, national secretary of the GMB union, told : “It is one less thing to worry about. If people can check in online and do not take [large] bags, that limits the disruption.

“It’s not a magic bullet but it does reduce the chance of there being problems.”

Paul Charles, chief executive of the PC Agency, a travel consultancy, also said that where possible, “passengers should consider packing lightly and travelling with a small bag they can take on board the aircraft”.

This means that holidaymakers would have to buy toiletries and sun cream either abroad or in duty free shops pre-departure.