Simon Calder appeared at the entrance to Gatwick Airport's South Terminal during Sunday's BBC Breakfast, warning viewers about the exit and entry procedures now in place for non-EU fliers.
The report came as UK airports hit their busiest period, with families travelling abroad for summer holidays. Calder said holidaymakers are still facing huge queues at many airports because of the new identification process.
Two to three hours advised
Co-host Roger Johnson pointed out that while passengers can arrive earlier to get through security, most airlines only allow bags to be dropped off two hours before departure. Calder agreed, saying airlines were encouraging passengers not to arrive drastically early as it could slow down the process later down the line.
"If you know you've got to drop off bags, please don't arrive four hours early," he said, adding that two to three hours was adequate. "I used to arrive for a flight an hour and ten minutes before my flight. But you just can't tell now."
Viewers question the airport setting
Watching the report, viewers took to social media to ask why Calder needed to present from outside an airport. One wrote: "Does the ubiquitous Simon Calder have a home or does he live in airports like the Tom Hanks character in The Terminal?"
Another said: "Why don't calder stay at home instead of loitering around airports all the time?! His wife must've forgotten what he looks like?"
A third commented: "Just filling time with this cr*p." But one fan responded: "Oooh, behind the scenes at the airport, great for an aviation nerd like me." A fifth viewer wrote: "This sounds horrendous. I’m seriously considering not paying the remainder of my trip to Valencia and just staying here."
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC1.
