Departure immigration queues

[ross163103]

Does anybody have any recent updates on the departure security/immigration queues(?), it was pretty bad on arrivals the past week but didn't see anything about departures. I usually leave myself three hours but am thinking of upping it to four to be on the safe side.

[steve187]

arrivals monday about 4pm were very quick

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

arrivals monday about 4pm were very quick

OP wants opinions on departures.

 

It can depend on if there's a slew of Chinese-bound flights leaving and have seen the upstairs security conga lines fill up rapidly mid-morning. I have also seen them close the escalator and redirect folks to the next Immigration hall. Don't know what happens when they both get backed-up though.

 

Best bet is factor in 4 hours so there's absolutely no rush. If you have access to lounges once you get airside, it's a bonus.

[OJAS]

On 8/18/2017 at 11:33 AM, ross163103 said:

I usually leave myself three hours but am thinking of upping it to four to be on the safe side.

Suspect that this will only be possible if you have already checked-in online or via a machine at the airport and have no hold luggage (assuming that you fly cattle class, of course).

[ross163103]

Just an update; I just went through on the 21st at 2230 hrs to make a 0240 flight and the terminal had more people than I've ever seen before--been through this airport approx. ten times a year for the past 20+ years. Anyway, I was expecting the worst at immigration but the security/immigration areas around checkin "T" weren't that bad, no queue at security and around 10-15 people in the queue ahead of me at immigration. I must have just beat all the people in the terminal to immigration. Early is better if your airline check-in counter opens early enough.

[londoedan]

On 8/23/2017 at 5:05 PM, ross163103 said:

Just an update; I just went through on the 21st at 2230 hrs to make a 0240 flight and the terminal had more people than I've ever seen before--been through this airport approx. ten times a year for the past 20+ years. 

Eh ? SVB opened in 2006.

[KhunBENQ]

Observed the queues on 14 August about 1 PM.

At both halls it was moderate.

Maybe up to 15 people on the longest queue.

It's still worth walking down to the departure hall "3".

Usually a bit less crowded.

It's just unlikely that similar crowds develop like at arrival.

The processing is usually faster and people flock in steadily (except the Chinese tour groups ).

 

BTW: at the same day I had to queue at Thaismile checkin for about 15 mins.

First time ever having such a queue.

The departure hall also was quite crowded which I didn't expect for this date/time.

Second picture must be from hall 3 in the back of departure floor.

[ross163103]

4 hours ago, londoedan said:

Eh ? SVB opened in 2006.

Sorry, got overly excited, meant to say, been in Thailand 20+ years and been going through that airport since it opened, my mistake.

[bubba]

On 23/08/2017 at 5:05 PM, ross163103 said:

Just an update; I just went through on the 21st at 2230 hrs to make a 0240 flight and the terminal had more people than I've ever seen before--been through this airport approx. ten times a year for the past 20+ years. Anyway, I was expecting the worst at immigration but the security/immigration areas around checkin "T" weren't that bad, no queue at security and around 10-15 people in the queue ahead of me at immigration. I must have just beat all the people in the terminal to immigration. Early is better if your airline check-in counter opens early enough.

Considering that Suvarnabhumi opened in 2006.....

[ross163103]

1 hour ago, bubba said:

Considering that Suvarnabhumi opened in 2006.....

Guess in your haste to criticize you didn't have time to read the post directly before yours. I've added it in this post for your benefit.

 

8 hours ago, ross163103 said:

Sorry, got overly excited, meant to say, been in Thailand 20+ years and been going through that airport since it opened, my mistake.

 

[londoedan]

2 hours ago, ross163103 said:

Guess in your haste to criticize you didn't have time to read the post directly before yours. I've added it in this post for your benefit.

 

 

These aren't criticisms.

I've been flying in / out for almost 20 years and SVB was a delight to use during the first few years of operation - oh how times change.

Now I mostly use DM, but thats a lottery - can be 15 mins (3 weeks ago at 3 pm) can be > 10 times that ?.

[craigt3365]

I left on the 10th of August.  Departure queues were lined up at the top of the escalators.  Quite bad.  Returned on the 10th of September and there was NO line.  Walked right up to the counter and was #2 in line.  Very fast.

[Argus Tuft]

Went through departure immigration around 1530 on Monday 11th. Very small queue, less than 5 minutes wait.

Arrived back tonight 2000, my inbound international flight was late and I had only 50 minutes to make my domestic onward flight.

Ran to immigration, there were very few people in the queue, but the staff quickly escorted me over to the fast track/APEC queue on the far right once I explained I had a tight connection.  Straight through in 2 minutes.

Made my onward flight (bag wait took a while) with minutes to spare thanks to the quick thinking and very helpful Bangkok Airways check-in and ground staff, even though I arrived at the check in counter at 2025 for a 2050 departure.  Hats off to them (it was the last flight of the night to Samui)

[champers]

Arrivals spend far less money in airports than those leaving. Getting people airside ASAP means they have more time to spend their money.

[Argus Tuft]

1 minute ago, champers said:

Arrivals spend far less money in airports than those leaving. Getting people airside ASAP means they have more time to spend their money.

or no time to spend their money, as was my case tonight! 

My fate was late, so straight to gate