How early should I arrive for my flight? If I have a 5am flight, do I still need to arrive early? What time does the airport open?

TSA and the airlines recommend that all travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance of their flight departure time to ensure they have enough time to check in with their airline and go through security. There are numerous flights that depart in the morning hours and arriving early ensures as smooth of a travel experience as possible. The airport itself is open 24 hours/day 7 days/week.  Airline ticket counters and the TSA security generally start assisting travelers waiting in line at 4am and 4:15am, respectively.