United Airlines revises domestic flight check-in times

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United Airlines revises domestic flight check-in times

Policy

United Airlines | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Jun 1, 2025

United Airlines is set to implement a new check-in policy for domestic passengers, effective June 3, 2025. The airline will require all domestic travelers to be checked in at least 45 minutes before departure. Currently, passengers without checked baggage can check in as late as 30 minutes prior to departure.

This change affects only domestic passengers traveling without checked baggage. Those with checked baggage must still adhere to the 45-minute requirement. For international flights, all passengers need to check in at least 60 minutes before departure, regardless of their baggage status.

A United spokesperson stated: "The change brings greater consistency for our customers by aligning with our current checked baggage deadline and the check-in policies followed by most other airlines."

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The adjustment aims to enhance United's on-time performance. Despite improvements, United lags behind Delta Air Lines, which has maintained the best on-time performance among US airlines for four consecutive years up to 2024.

USA Today reports that part of United's motivation is to provide a uniform cut-off time for all domestic passengers and align more closely with other carriers' policies.

However, an examination of US airlines' check-in rules reveals varied requirements. While international check-ins consistently require at least 60 minutes prior notice across airlines, domestic rules differ significantly. For instance, Delta Air Lines allows a minimum of 30 minutes for passengers without checked bags, while others like Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines have earlier requirements.

Delta recently adjusted its policy for passengers with checked bags from a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes before departure as of April 8, 2025.

United does have exceptions within its network where earlier check-ins are necessary due to specific regional or airport conditions. These include locations such as Micronesia and the Marshall Islands (90 minutes), Saipan (90 minutes), St. Thomas (90 minutes), and Guam (60 minutes). Additionally, there are about 25 international airports where United requires earlier than the standard 60-minute check-in time.