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How many hours to arrive before international flight (at CUN)?

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How many hours to arrive before international flight (at CUN)?

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Old Apr 20, 2021, 11:29 pm
  #1  
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How many hours to arrive before international flight (at CUN)?

I know people always say 3 hours. I use to do that back then and almost always I felt like it was way too early. But when you need to make sure you are fully checked in with the attendent no more than one hour before your flight departs right? I remember the last few times I got to airport like 2.5 hours before and it was plenty of time. I think once I got there 2 hours before and it was sort of cutting it close. I got to assume the biggest thing is... will there be a huge line at the airline when you get there right? I rarely recalled waiting in line to check in... taking more than say 35 minutes. I think once it might been a bit longer than that... but typically for international flights, rarely is that the case right? Have people waited to check in... and wait say an hour on the line?


If it matters, im leaving cancun airport with American Airlines back to the US. Thanks.
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Old Apr 21, 2021, 12:02 am
  #2  
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I would say two hours is plenty.
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Old Apr 21, 2021, 12:09 am
  #3  
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Originally Posted by jerry90210
I know people always say 3 hours. I use to do that back then and almost always I felt like it was way too early. But when you need to make sure you are fully checked in with the attendent no more than one hour before your flight departs right? I remember the last few times I got to airport like 2.5 hours before and it was plenty of time. I think once I got there 2 hours before and it was sort of cutting it close. I got to assume the biggest thing is... will there be a huge line at the airline when you get there right? I rarely recalled waiting in line to check in... taking more than say 35 minutes. I think once it might been a bit longer than that... but typically for international flights, rarely is that the case right? Have people waited to check in... and wait say an hour on the line?

If it matters, im leaving cancun airport with American Airlines back to the US. Thanks.
It depends on the airport and the time of day/day of week. The latest your bag can be checked is 60 minutes ahead.
Additionally, it would matter if you have status or not. I would say no later than 2 hours before
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Old Apr 21, 2021, 12:32 am
  #4  
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Originally Posted by jerry90210
I know people always say 3 hours. I use to do that back then and almost always I felt like it was way too early. But when you need to make sure you are fully checked in with the attendent no more than one hour before your flight departs right? I remember the last few times I got to airport like 2.5 hours before and it was plenty of time. I think once I got there 2 hours before and it was sort of cutting it close. I got to assume the biggest thing is... will there be a huge line at the airline when you get there right? I rarely recalled waiting in line to check in... taking more than say 35 minutes. I think once it might been a bit longer than that... but typically for international flights, rarely is that the case right? Have people waited to check in... and wait say an hour on the line?


If it matters, im leaving cancun airport with American Airlines back to the US. Thanks.
Cancun is pretty busy these days as one of the major international tourism destinations for U.S. travelers without Mexican COVID travel restrictions. There is a health questionnaire and sometimes their security screening is slow. I would recommend 2.5 hours for AA at CUN in the current climate if flying economy without premium status. You could arrive a little later if flying business class. (Day of the week also matters with regard to crowds.)
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Old Apr 21, 2021, 6:51 am
  #5  
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Originally Posted by chrisny2
Cancun is pretty busy these days as one of the major international tourism destinations for U.S. travelers without Mexican COVID travel restrictions. There is a health questionnaire and sometimes their security screening is slow. I would recommend 2.5 hours for AA at CUN in the current climate if flying economy without premium status.
Unless you need to check bags or otherwise see an agent at check-in, 90 minutes is plenty at CUN. Even with 90, you'll likely spend an hour sitting in the gate area.
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Old Apr 21, 2021, 10:06 am
  #6  
 
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2 hours. Tack 15 minutes onto that if traveling in a larger group or have a lot of checked baggage.
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Old Apr 21, 2021, 1:13 pm
  #7  
 
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Originally Posted by Kacee
Unless you need to check bags or otherwise see an agent at check-in, 90 minutes is plenty at CUN. Even with 90, you'll likely spend an hour sitting in the gate area.
Doesn't everyone need to see an agent for COVID test checks?
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Old Apr 22, 2021, 12:55 pm
  #8  
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Depends. I thought it would take ages with the paper checks for the UK etc...but it was ~15m from curb to lounge.
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