Last updated: 31 October 2026.
United publishes minimum times in its Contract of Carriage. They are minimums: processing times differ by airport, and it is your job to reach the airport in time for ticketing, check-in, bag check, security and boarding.
60 minlatest to check in and check bags on domestic flights, per the contract of carriage
75 minlatest to check in on non-stop international flights
15 minbe at the gate on domestic flights
30 minbe at the gate on international flights
Minimum times before scheduled departure
Domestic (except departures from Guam)
- Check in, check bags and have a boarding pass
- 60 minutes
- At the boarding gate
- 15 minutes
Non-stop international (including flights from Guam and St. Thomas)
- Check in, check bags and have a boarding pass
- 75 minutes
- At the boarding gate
- 30 minutes
- International exceptions for check-in and bags: 60 minutes in the Philippines; 90 minutes within Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and from Canada, St. Thomas, Accra, Lagos and Tel Aviv.
- Gate exceptions for international flights: 60 minutes within Micronesia and the Marshall Islands and from Brussels.
- A trip that ends or stops abroad puts every flight on it under the international limits.
- United may cancel reservations, deny boarding or refuse bags if you miss the limits, and does not pay damages for that.
- United.com and the app open check-in a day ahead.
Boarding
- Premier Silver boards in Group 2, Premier Gold and Platinum in Group 1, and Premier 1K pre-boards. Priority check-in and boarding are Premier benefits.
- Passengers needing a wheelchair should reach the airport an hour before the minimum check-in time. See the Special Assistance page.
Questions travellers ask us
When must I check bags on a domestic flight?
60 minutes before departure, according to the contract.
When must I be at the gate?
15 minutes before on domestic flights and 30 on international ones.
When can I check in online?
One day before take-off.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of United Airlines. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
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