Flying thru National Airport to international destination - what time to get there?

[Anonymous]

We have a 730am flight to Chicago and then Mexico originating out of washington national airport. United website says we need to get to the airport 2 hours early for international destination. But 530am at National? I find it a very efficient airport and they have no passport control there. Anyone else originate an international flight at Washington National? Does it require 2 hours early checkin?

[Anonymous]

you are flying from national to chicago. I'd treat it like a domestic flight. the only difference is that they will want to see your passport when you check in. Security is exactly the same as for the domestic flights (although i was there a couple of times in the last 2 weeks for a 6 am and 7 am flights and the line was a little longer than i expected - they have the xray machines in some lines now and those take a little longer).

[Anonymous]

It never "requires" it, but if something goes haywire, you'll be kicking yourself. No later than 1.5 hours.

Sure you can make it in less, but I wouldn't test it unless you don't care about missing a connection.

-This from someone who regularly checks in for domestic flights 25 min in advance. Drives my mother craxy.

[Anonymous]

23:49 here- also - depends which morning it is. I'd be less inclined to test things on a Monday or Tuesday than I would any other day of the week.

Also, if my flight were the middle of the day, think I'd be more inclined to get there 2 hours ahead.

[Anonymous]

OP here - its a Saturday. I think we are going with 1.5hr early - lovely 6am! Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous]

It's my understanding that if you're not switching planes in Chicago, they will do passport control at National.

I usually get to National at least 1.5 hours early (although it's been several years now since I flew out of there) as I find it can be really slow when it's busy because it's such a small airport. I agree that commuters are going to be on those early flights and it might be busier than you expect; I had an early flight out of Detroit once and expected it to be deserted, but it was so busy they were pulling people out of the check-in lines based on flights that were leaving.

[Anonymous]

Passport control on exiting the country just means they look to make sure you have one. No stamping or anything like that. It takes 1 minute and is done at the check in desk. I fly to Canada frequently from National and get there at the same time as for a domestic flight. These days I try to allow a full hour (used to cut it closer). Dulles is more like an hour and quarter even with the new train, but National is actually pretty efficient.

[Anonymous]

Same as for a domestic flight. IF you are checking bags, definitely 90 minutes before flight time, if not 120 minutes. The bag check can take forever. Curbside is almost always faster, although it costs extra.

Think of the extra time as the opportunity to get decent coffee and a bite to eat.

[Anonymous]

OP we arrive a bit more than 1.5hr early and we had plenty of time. We had a nice breakfast there.