Wondering how early you should arrive at Birmingham Airport?
For most flights, 2.5–3 hours before departure is a sensible guide. For long-haul flights, allow around 3 hours.
But don’t assume that arriving as early as possible is always better. If your airline hasn’t opened check-in or bag drop yet, you’ll simply be waiting around with your luggage.
When Does Check-In Open at Birmingham Airport?
Check-in opening times vary by airline and flight, but these are typical timings:
| Airline | Typical opening time |
|---|---|
| Jet2 | 3 hours before departure |
| Ryanair | Up to 2 hours before departure |
| easyJet | Around 2–3 hours before departure |
| TUI | Around 2–3 hours before departure |
| Emirates | Around 4 hours before departure |
| Qatar Airways | Around 3 hours before departure |
| Turkish Airlines | Around 3 hours before departure |
| Wizz Air | Around 2 hours before departure |
| Aer Lingus | Around 2 hours before departure |
| Lufthansa | Around 2 hours before departure |
| Air France | Around 2 hours before departure |
These are general timings. Always check your airline’s information for the exact opening and closing times for your flight.
Don’t Arrive Too Early
If your airline doesn’t open its bag drop until two or three hours before departure, arriving four hours early won’t necessarily get you through security any quicker.
If you’ve got hold luggage, you’ll need to wait until bag drop opens.
Check your airline’s check-in time before leaving home.
Twilight Bag Drop at Birmingham Airport
Flying early in the morning?
If your airline offers Twilight Check-In, this is our preferred option.
You drop your hold luggage off the evening before, then the next morning you can arrive at Birmingham Airport and go straight through security.
At Birmingham Airport, Twilight or day-before bag drop is available with:
- easyJet
- Jet2
- Ryanair
- TUI
easyJet
Eligible flights departing before 9am can use Twilight Bag Drop between 4pm and 8pm the evening before.
Jet2
Eligible flights departing before midday can use Twilight Check-In between 4:30pm and 9pm the evening before. You need to have checked in online.
Ryanair
Eligible flights departing early the following morning can use Twilight Bag Drop between 5pm and 9pm.
TUI
Eligible flights departing before midday can use Twilight Bag Drop between 2pm and 9pm.
Check with your airline before travelling as eligibility can vary by flight.
Why Use Twilight Check-In?
It’s particularly useful for early morning flights.
Drop your bags off the night before, then arrive at the airport the following morning and head straight to security.
No waiting for check-in to open. No dragging your suitcases around the terminal.
You can get through security and start enjoying the airport.
Give Yourself Time After Security
Don’t forget to allow time for Duty Free, food and a cheeky pre-flight pint in Wetherspoons.
There’s no point getting through security early if you then have to sprint to the gate because you spent too long in departures.
Once you’re through security, check the screens, find out where your gate is and make sure you give yourself enough time to get there.
Our Birmingham Airport Advice
Short-haul with hold luggage: Allow around 2.5–3 hours.
Long-haul: Allow around 3 hours.
Early flight with Twilight Check-In: Drop your bags off the night before and arrive with enough time to clear security.
Hand luggage only: If you’ve checked in online and have your boarding pass, you can usually head straight to security.
During school holidays and other busy periods, we’d stick to the full 3 hours.
The aim isn’t to spend hours sitting in the terminal. It’s to give yourself enough time to check in, get through security and still have time for Duty Free, something to eat and that pre-flight pint.
And if you’re booking a holiday from Birmingham Airport, Tom & Maria Travel can help with the holiday, flights, airport parking and other extras.
