Recently, United Airlines came forward that the carrier will soon need all domestic passengers to be checked in for their flights at least 45 minutes before the departure. However, on the current ratio, travelling via it without checked bags and cutting things a little finer within check-in of a minimum of 30 minutes prior to being on board. This announced change will be reflected on June 3rd, 2025.
It’s the only change for domestic passengers travelling without checked baggage. Typically, domestic travellers checking baggage still need to check in at least 45 minutes before departure. Apart from that, departing on an international flight, one needs to check in at least 60 minutes prior to departure, regardless of whether you check baggage or not.
Details of the New Policy Changes at United Airlines
The worthiness for nearly all carriers is that passengers should be at the boarding gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure. Thus, checking over 30-45 minutes before departure at a busy airport is a risky decision anyway. Almost every airline recommends passengers arrive at the airport for at least two hours—before boarding for a domestic flight & at least three hours for an international flight.
Thus, United is now coming on reserves on the right to bump into any passengers who checked in at least 45 minutes before departure. It’s almost aimed at improving United’s on-time flight performance. In recent times, it still lags behind arch-rival Delta Air Lines—which has the best on-time performance of any US airline. Meanwhile, it reduces the check-in delays; United will be hoping to improve its on-time departures.
United spokesperson from United came up saying-“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.”
How United’s New Policy Stacks Up Against Other U.S. Airlines
United is aligned with the policies of most airlines, that’s entirely fair. So far, such examination of the check-in rules for US airlines shows that while within consistency in requiring international check-ins no less than 60 minutes prior to departure, the rules for domestic check-in vary considerably.
United joins American Airlines and needs a consistent 45-minute policy for all domestic flights other than Alaska, Frontier and Hawaiian. However, in the case of Hawaiian—it is understandable that a higher proportion of long-haul flights are over international flights. But Delta, Southwest and Spirit all still allow passengers without checked bags to check in as little as 30 minutes before departure.
Last month, Delta changed the rules for passengers travelling to be checked in over bags and increased its time from 30 to 45 minutes. The carrier operates over some of the world’s busiest airports and allows the greatest latitude for passenger check-ins-saying volumes of its operational efficiencies.
United Airlines Lists Key Exceptions to New Check-In Policy
The airline has expectations of the standard check-in rules—across the network. For example, Delta had earlier check-ins at smaller airports within or a minimum of 60 minutes at larger hubs like New York JFK. It’s within US airlines check-in of up to 120 minutes before departure at any international airports such as Accra and Athens.
The US comes within a number of territories and nations that are compactly free, where the United needs an earlier-than-standard check-in. It typically includes-
- Micronesia and the Marshall Islands: 90 minutes
- Saipan: 90 minutes
- St. Thomas: 90 minutes
- Guam: 60 minutes
Although the carrier has no fewer than 25 international airports-requires travellers to check in earlier than 60-minutes standard to be on board.
