What is the cutoff time for checked baggage? Critical deadlines for major airlines

Airways suggest vacationers arrive on the airport at least two hours early for home flights, however whether or not by selection or unexpected circumstances, there could also be occasions whenever you minimize it all the way down to the wire.

Even when you can also make your flight, your baggage could not. That’s as a result of most airways require a sure period of time for checking in baggage.

Delta Air Lines just lately up to date their deadlines:

“Starting April 8, a minor change took impact for many U.S. home minimal bag drop occasions for our clients who examine a bag. That is so Delta groups can guarantee all clients have a fantastic expertise that begins with security and continues with a clear, on-time and pleasurable flight with their baggage,” a Delta Air Traces spokesperson mentioned in an announcement to USA TODAY.

Delta mentioned most of their passengers examine baggage greater than 45 minutes previous to departure and the airline would not foresee main disruptions.

Right here’s what to know earlier than your subsequent flight.

How lengthy do it’s important to examine baggage earlier than a flight?

The overall rule of thumb is at the least 45 minutes earlier than a home flight and longer for worldwide flights.

Both method, you’ll have to be on the airport even earlier to permit for waits at check-in counters or curbside.

Guidelines for America’s 5 largest airways:

Alaska Airways

Alaska Airlines requires baggage to be checked in at the least 50 minutes earlier than scheduled departure time for many home flights. Vacationers flying out of King Salmon (AKN) and Dillingham (DLG) in Alaska must examine their baggage at the least 60 minutes early.

Luggage should be checked in at the least 60 minutes earlier than most worldwide flights. Ninety minutes are required for flights leaving Guadalajara (GDL).

American Airways

American Airways requires baggage to be checked in at the least 45 minutes earlier than scheduled departure time for many home flights and at the least 60 minutes earlier than most worldwide flights.

Some airports require much more time. As an illustration, 75 minutes leaving Delhi, India (DEL) and 90 minutes departing from St. Croix (STX) and St. Thomas (STT) within the U.S. Virgin Islands. Location-specific guidelines may be discovered on American’s web site.

Delta Air Traces

Delta Air Traces requires baggage to be checked in at the least 45 minutes earlier than scheduled departure time for many home flights and at the least 60 minutes earlier than most worldwide flights.

Just a few notable exceptions embrace New York’s John F. Kennedy worldwide Airport, which requires a minimal of 60 minutes, and Athens Worldwide Airport (ATH), which requires two hours for checked baggage. Further domestic and international deadlines may be discovered on Delta’s web site.

Southwest Airways

Southwest Airlines’ checked baggage policy doesn’t specify a cutoff time for home flights, however the airline’s web site states: “Baggage checked in 45 minutes or much less earlier than the scheduled or posted departure time (whichever is later) is taken into account ‘Late Examine.’ Though each effort can be made to get late checked baggage in your flight, within the occasion your baggage doesn’t arrive with you at your vacation spot, Southwest won’t assume supply expenses to get your baggage to you.”

Luggage should be checked in at the least 60 minutes earlier than most worldwide flights. Passengers leaving Aruba (AUA), with or with out checking baggage, should examine in at the least 75 minutes earlier than their scheduled departure.

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United Airways

United Airways requires baggage to be checked in at the least 45 minutes earlier than scheduled departure time for many home flights and at the least 60 minutes earlier than most worldwide flights.

Some airports require much more time however at the least one airport requires much less. Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) in California solely requires half-hour superior examine in, with or with out baggage. Different airports with differing time limits may be discovered on United’s webbite.

Vacationers on different airways ought to examine with their particular provider.

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Checking bags? Here’s when you need to get to the airport