Last updated: 31 October 2026.
Online check-in starts a day ahead of the flight's first scheduled departure time, and every deadline is measured from that original time.
24 hoursbefore departure when online check-in opens
30 mindomestic check-in deadline
45 minbag check deadline on domestic flights
10 minbe at the gate with your boarding pass
Key times
Online check-in opens
- Domestic
- 24 hours before departure
- International
- 24 hours before departure
Check-in deadline (with or without bags)
- Domestic
- 30 minutes before departure
- International
- 60 minutes (75 minutes at Aruba)
Bag check deadline
- Domestic
- 45 minutes before (90 minutes departing St. Thomas)
- International
- 60 minutes (75 minutes departing Aruba)
Boarding pass in hand and at the gate
- Domestic
- 10 minutes before departure
- International
- 10 minutes before departure
- Check in after the cut-off, say 25 minutes before a domestic flight, and you will be moved to the next flight. Have your pass and be at the gate 10 minutes ahead, or the reservation can be cancelled.
- Arrival and bag times vary by airport, so look up your airport.
How to check in
- Check in through the app or website, at a kiosk if your airport has one, at a Skycap podium in some locations, or at the ticket counter. You cannot clear security without a boarding pass or security document.
- Type the confirmation number and one traveller's full name, then choose Check in.
- With a partner itinerary, you check in on whichever airline flies the first leg: Southwest.com for a Southwest first flight, or the partner's site.
- Boarding position reflects your fare bundle, tier, card status, seat type and place in the cabin: Basic goes last, Choice is general, Choice Preferred is groups 3 to 4 and Choice Extra is Group 1, while A-List Preferred goes ahead of Group 1 and A-List is in Group 1.
Questions travellers ask us
When can I check in?
From 24 hours before departure.
What is the last time to check bags?
45 minutes before a domestic flight and 60 before an international one.
What if I check in late?
You will be moved to the next flight with space.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Southwest Airlines. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
Questions and answers
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