Copyright cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio - In a short news conference on Friday, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport reminded travelers to plan ahead but not arrive too early for scheduled flights during the holiday season. Megan O’Connell, assistant director for marketing, communications, and guest experience at CLE, said the airport team, along with TSA and airline partners, remains committed to providing passengers with a smooth, safe experience. While Hopkins is not on the FAA’s list of airports facing air traffic capacity constraints, nationwide schedule reductions may still affect local flights. O’Connell emphasized that arriving at the airport too early can cause unnecessary congestion in ticketing, security and gate areas, particularly during the airport’s busiest window from 4 to 7 a.m. Passengers on flights departing after 7 a.m. are asked not to arrive more than two hours before departure. The airport continues to recommend arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones. She also urged travelers to check flight status directly with their airlines, use mobile apps for real-time updates and to monitor TSA checkpoint wait times at clevelandairport.com. “Preparation and timing are key,” O’Connell said, “to ensuring a stress-free and efficient travel experience for everyone.”
