Check-in and gate closing times by airline
When online check-in opens, when bag drop closes and when you need to be at the gate, for 39 airlines, from each airline's own website.
| Airline | Online check-in opens | Bag drop closes | At the gate by |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 24 hours before | 20 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 10 min before |
| Aer Lingus | 48 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 75 min before (international / long-haul) | |
| Air Canada | 24 hours before | 60 min before | 15 min before |
| Air France | 30 hours before | 15 min before (domestic / short-haul), 20 min before (international / long-haul) | |
| Air New Zealand | 24 hours before | 30 min before (domestic / short-haul), 90 min before (international / long-haul) | |
| AirAsia | 14 days before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 20 min before |
| Alaska Airlines | 24 hours before | 40 min before | |
| Allegiant Air | 24 hours before | 45 min before | 30 min before |
| American Airlines | 24 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 15 min before |
| Avianca | 48 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 20 min before |
| Breeze Airways | 24 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 15 min before (domestic / short-haul), 30 min before (international / long-haul) |
| British Airways | 24 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 20 min before |
| Copa Airlines | 24 hours before | ||
| Delta Air Lines | 24 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 15 min before |
| Emirates | 48 hours before | ||
| Frontier Airlines | 24 hours before | 60 min before | 20 min before |
| Iberia | 24 hours before | 45 min before | 20 min before |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | 24 hours before | 30 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 10 min before |
| Jet2 | 28 days before | 40 min before | 30 min before |
| JetBlue | 24 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 15 min before (domestic / short-haul), 20 min before (international / long-haul) |
| Jetstar | 48 hours before | 40 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | |
| KLM | 30 hours before | 40 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 15 min before |
| LATAM Airlines | 48 hours before | ||
| Lufthansa | 30 hours before | 45 min before | |
| Porter Airlines | 24 hours before | 10 min before | |
| Qantas | 24 hours before | 30 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | |
| Qatar Airways | 48 hours before | ||
| Ryanair | 24 hours before | 60 min before | 30 min before |
| Singapore Airlines | 48 hours before | 40 min before | 15 min before |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 10 min before |
| Turkish Airlines | 24 hours before | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 20 min before |
| United Airlines | 24 hours before | ||
| Vietjet Air | 24 hours before | 40 min before (domestic / short-haul), 50 min before (international / long-haul) | |
| Vietnam Airlines | 24 hours before | 40 min before (domestic / short-haul), 50 min before (international / long-haul) | |
| Volaris | 24 hours before | 90 min before (domestic / short-haul), 2 hours before (international / long-haul) | 45 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) |
| Vueling | 24 hours before | 40 min before (domestic / short-haul), 60 min before (international / long-haul) | 20 min before |
| WestJet | 24 hours before | 60 min before | 15 min before |
| Wizz Air | 24 hours before | 40 min before | 30 min before |
| easyJet | 30 days before | 40 min before | 30 min before |
Times are minutes before scheduled departure. Some airports and routes set earlier deadlines, so check your booking. Travelling with only a carry-on? Make sure it fits with the bag checker, and keep your airline's limit on your phone with the gate card.
Questions people ask
How early should I get to the airport?
Airlines usually advise about 2 hours before a domestic or short-haul flight and 3 hours before a long-haul international one, more at busy airports. The hard deadlines are the bag drop and gate closing times in the table.
What happens if I miss the check-in deadline?
Most airlines can refuse to check you in or take your bag, even if the plane hasn't left, and treat you as a no-show. With hand luggage only and online check-in done, the gate closing time is the one that matters.