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How Early Should I Arrive at DLG?

Planning your arrival at Dillingham Airport (DLG)? Based on TSA wait time data showing peak waits of 5 minutes, here are our recommended arrival times to ensure you don't miss your flight.

Recommended Arrival Times at DLG

Domestic Flights

Peak times 2 hours before
Off-peak times 90 minutes before
With TSA PreCheck 90 minutes before

International Flights

Peak times 3 hours before
Off-peak times 2.5 hours before
With TSA PreCheck 2.5 hours before

Holiday & Peak Travel Advisory

During Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer travel season, add 30-60 minutes to these recommendations. Airport crowds can be significantly higher during peak travel periods.

Current TSA Wait Times at DLG

Average Wait

5 min

Peak Wait

5 min

Fridays at 1 PM

Early Morning

5 min

Before 6 AM

Quick Times

12

slots under 5 min

View detailed TSA wait times by hour

Best & Worst Times to Arrive at DLG

Busiest Times (Arrive Extra Early)

  • - Morning rush: 6 AM - 9 AM (avg 20 min wait)
  • - Evening rush: 4 PM - 7 PM (avg 15 min wait)
  • - Busiest day: Mondays
  • - Holiday periods: Major holidays + surrounding days

Best Times (Shorter Lines)

  • - Early morning: Before 6 AM (avg 5 min wait)
  • - Mid-morning: 10 AM - 12 PM
  • - Late evening: After 8 PM
  • - Quietest day: Sundays

Why You Need 2 hours at DLG

Here's how your time breaks down when arriving at Dillingham Airport:

Parking & walking to terminal 10-20 min
Check-in & bag drop (if needed) 10-20 min
TSA security screening 5-5 min
Walking to gate 5-15 min
Buffer for unexpected delays 15-30 min
Total recommended time 2 hours

Tips to Save Time at DLG

Get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR

TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years) lets you keep shoes, belt, and laptop in bag. CLEAR ($189/year) provides biometric verification to skip ID check lines.

Check in online

Check in 24 hours before your flight and download your mobile boarding pass to skip the check-in counter entirely.

Pack TSA-friendly

Follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, wear slip-on shoes, and keep electronics accessible to speed through security.

Know your terminal

Check which terminal your airline uses before arriving. Some airports require extra time for inter-terminal transfers.

First Time Flying from DLG?

If this is your first time flying from Dillingham Airport, here's what to expect when you arrive at the airport:

1 Arriving at the Airport

  • - Follow signs to your airline's terminal
  • - If driving, follow "Departures" signs to drop-off or parking
  • - Allow extra time if using rideshare or public transit

2 Check-In Process

  • - Use self-service kiosks or airline counter
  • - Have your ID and booking confirmation ready
  • - Drop checked bags at the bag drop counter

3 TSA Security Screening

  • - Have boarding pass and ID ready
  • - Remove laptops, liquids (3.4oz max), and shoes
  • - Empty pockets and remove belts before screening

4 Finding Your Gate

  • - Check departure screens for your gate number
  • - Follow signs to your gate (gates can change!)
  • - Be at the gate 30 min before boarding

Pro tip: Download your airline's app to get real-time gate updates and mobile boarding passes.

DLG Airport Arrival FAQ

How early should I arrive at DLG airport?

For domestic flights at Dillingham Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before departure. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. During peak times (Fridays around 1 PM), consider arriving even earlier as TSA wait times can reach 5 minutes.

How early should I get to DLG for a domestic flight?

Arrive at least 2 hours before your domestic flight at DLG. This allows time for parking/transit, check-in, TSA security (averaging 5 minutes), and walking to your gate. If you have TSA PreCheck, you may be able to arrive 90 minutes early during off-peak times.

How early should I arrive at DLG for an international flight?

For international departures from Dillingham Airport, arrive 3 hours before your flight. International flights require additional time for document verification, potential customs pre-clearance, and longer check-in processes. With TSA lines averaging 5 minutes, the extra time ensures you won't miss your flight.

How long does it take to get through security at DLG?

TSA security wait times at DLG vary by day and time. Peak waits can reach 5 minutes (typically on Mondays), while off-peak times average 5 minutes. There are 12 time slots with waits under 5 minutes, usually early morning or late evening.

What is the best time to go through security at DLG?

The best times to go through TSA at DLG are early morning (before 6 AM) with average waits of 5 minutes, and late evening. Avoid Mondays when lines are longest. Sundays tend to have the shortest wait times.

Should I arrive earlier at DLG during holidays?

Yes, during holidays and peak travel periods at Dillingham Airport, add at least 30-60 minutes to the standard arrival times. For domestic flights, arrive 2.5-3 hours early. For international flights, arrive 3.5-4 hours early. Check-in lines, TSA, and terminals will be significantly busier during Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer travel season.