lhrsfo

It has to be earlier when I'm flying a US airline than others because Americans take so many kitchen sinks with them. Otherwise, I tend to leave about when boarding starts unless the lounge is miles away.

VivoPerLei

I generally try to leave the lounge around 45 minutes to an hour before boarding. If I've been relaxing in the comfy chair and having some drinks I need ample time to stretch my legs. I like to get to the gate early enough that if I find out it's been changed I have time to hoof it to the other. That happened to me at IST - had to get completely from one of the terminal to the other in a short amount of time. 5 minutes wouldn't have been near enough.

Non-NonRev

+1

Another factor is, in case of a seat assignment duplication, I would rather be the one in possession of the seat.

Annalisa12

Approx 30 mins

maortega15

About 1 hour and 30 mins prior.

clkc86

After a recent trip, I'm heading for the gate sooner rather than later. We were in the lounge in MCO waiting on a many times delayed flight. Didn't expect to actually get out due to flooding in IAH. They actually announced the flight was boarding in the lounge, so we left our glasses of bubbly and went to the gate. We were in boarding group 1 so we did in fact horn in line, wouldn't normally do that, but did this 1 time. Glad we did because as we boarded they flight attendant announced they were closing the door in 5 minutes no matter what. And they did! They left people on the jetway, nearly cutting a couple in two. The crew was about to time out I guess, so off we went. Felt so bad for so many left behind. So I'll leave in plenty of time to board in the proper time for my group!

sethweinstein

Wow. How is that acceptable? What about the "your bags can't travel without you" rule? It would never occur to me that I could be on the jetway and miss the flight.

If I don't know the airport well, I usually do a trial run after security so I know how long it takes to get to the gate from the lounge. Then I leave when boarding is announced or if the lounge agent tells me to go (unless I've determined I need more time).

I got nervous in KHV (Khabarovsk, Russia) when they announced boarding but the lounge agent told me to stay until boarding from the gate was complete. Then we got an escort. I was worried I'd missed something in the translation!

Seth

Proudelitist

Used to be 5 mins before the gate closed, but after a few seat-poaching/stupid swap requests in F (couple ug'd but separated..every time!) and after losing out on overhead bin space, I get there to board with the F line.

TOMFORD

I usually enjoy spending 10 minutes or so plane and people watching before boarding is scheduled to start.

MSPeconomist

For domestic (USA) flights, I like to arrive at the gate just as premium (priority) boarding (the first group after handicapped) is announced.

For long haul international, I don't like to get on so early unless I suspect that business class is overbooked or expect other problems.

I also hate to ever be trapped in a gate holding pen, so often I'll ask the lounge dragons not just whether "boarding" has started, but specifically whether passengers are being permitted to enter the plane yet.

cur

if in y i show up absolute last minute. never have to wait on the bridge and even with ua domestic i've had good luck finding storage for my 2pieces carry on

in c/f/j i show up around boarding time so i can get my pre drinks