Check in how long before flight

This is to make sure you have enough time to check in, drop your baggage, go through the security control and to be at the gate on time. To save time at the airport you have the possibility to check-in online , starting 30 hours before your scheduled departure. We recommend that you check in at least 60 minutes before departure on a domestic flights.

Skip to Main Content Skip to footer. If you have requested for special assistance, unaccompanied minor service or is traveling with a pet, add even more time than recommended deadlines to prevent missing the flight. Closing times Domestic Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Scandinavia We recommend that you check in at least 60 minutes before departure on a domestic flights.

Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure. Check your eligibility with our free flight cancellation calculator. It is best to check the exact departure time several times to plan for any changes or delays before your flight.

Also remember to differentiate between check-in time, boarding time and departure time. The departure time is the time when a plane leaves the gate, while the check-in time represents the time when the airline's doors open to greet passengers and check their baggage. If you did online check-in, you will be left with more time at the airport to spend shopping or simply relaxing.

The boarding time refers to the time when passengers board the plane. In general, boarding closes 20 minutes prior to departure. Nowadays, there are many possibilities to know the exact times of check-in, boarding, and departure:. Almost all airlines offer the online check-in alternative. When you make an early check-in online, you can also see when you should arrive at the airport. Typically, you will need to arrive at the airport at least ninety 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time if you need to check-in your bag on an international flight.

If you are not checking bags or flying domestically, you must arrive at the airport at least sixty 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure. It is always better to have 30 minutes extra time since airlines likely have additional procedures due to Covid You can easily check the status of your flight online at any time. You can also check if your flight has been delayed or cancelled. If this happens, you can get a refund with the help of AirAdvisor in the cases when the flight leaves or arrives within the European Union.

If you don't believe in the power of the internet, you can check your ticket directly. Whichever airline you fly with or the type of flight you are taking, the exact departure time will be indicated on the ticket. If you are unsure of when you should arrive at the airport, you can always call the airport for more information. Over the phone, you'll be asked for additional information like your name, airline, or flight number, so you should have it on hand to receive the information you need in just a few minutes.

Another way to check schedules and flight status is to be notified by email. If you gave your email address to the airline at the moment of booking, expect updates on flight and scheduled departure times. In addition, when you buy your ticket online, you will receive a confirmation email with the scheduled departure time and check-in time.

Arrange your travel to the airport ahead of time. Depending on the means of transport you use to get to the airport, you should anticipate any strikes, traffic jam or road works that may affect your journey. If you are driving to the airport, you can monitor traffic conditions with the help of Google Maps.

If you're going by public transport, it's best to catch your bus, train, or metro earlier than the one that gets you right on time. For very precise and real-time updates, use Google Maps on your mobile phone.

Configure the "Arrive by" time setting option to plan your route to the airport. Google will provide you with live traffic updates, so you can optimize your route and set an alarm to sound when you need to leave your home.

And no, this isn't a frivolous, first-world problem. Vacations have been ruined because of it. Marriages have ended. So let's settle this question once and for all. The simple answer is: Two hours for domestic flights, three hours for international flights.

More or less. And during busy holiday periods or special events, the airport may recommend adding even more time. How "standard" is this advice? The Transportation Security Administration agrees with it, but airlines don't. For instance, American Airlines advises passengers to be at the airport two hours before flight time for international departures and 90 minutes for domestic flights.

Also, there's an exception for flights to certain overseas destinations, which require that you check in earlier. United Airlines further complicates this issue by adding luggage to the equation. If you're not checking luggage, the carrier advises you to arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

If you're checking luggage, it's 90 minutes. For international flights, give yourself two hours, says United. It may help to note the likely motives behind the advice. The TSA and airports want you to get there earlier, each for its own reasons. The agency does not like to be rushed with screenings even if there's a long security line.