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By Jasmine Laws
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United Airlines will implement a stricter check-in deadline, which could impact thousands of passengers starting June 3.
Under the new policy, passengers on domestic flights with or without checked bags must check in at least 45 minutes before their flight's scheduled departure, instead of the current 30 minutes, meaning last-minute travelers run a higher risk of being left behind.
Confirming the change, United told Newsweek it "brings greater consistency for our customers."
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Why It Matters
The 15-minute reduction in the check-in deadline could have significant implications for passengers who arrive close to departure time, especially at large or congested airports.
The Memorial Day weekend also recently spotlighted the popularity of domestic travel in the country, as the AAA projected 45.1 million people would travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26—an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and a Memorial Day weekend record for domestic travel.
United Airlines said the change is aimed at improving efficiency and reducing operational delays associated with last-minute bag processing, thereby giving them more time to handle seating changes and any carry-on baggage issues before boarding.
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What To Know
International travelers are not affected by this latest update and must still check in at least 60 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure time.
Domestic passengers who fail to check in on time may be denied entry through the airport and be forced to miss their flights.
While using the mobile app to check in online can save time, travelers must still ensure they have checked in before the 45-minute deadline. United Airlines recommends arriving at the airport at least 90 minutes before your flight to account for potential delays, especially during peak travel periods.
The new check-in deadline applies to all airports; however, it is also important to check if there are any special check-in deadlines at the airport you are traveling from, as some airports may have longer check-in deadlines.
These include flights to or from Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, as well as flights from Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii, among others.
United Airlines also shared some advice from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for travel, which recommends that passengers in the U.S. "expect longer lines and plan for extra time."
The TSA advises travelers to arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic travel and three hours early for international travel.
What People Are Saying
United Airlines told Newsweek: "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. Customers can review domestic and international airport check-in time limits here and use our lobby kiosks for self-service as needed."
What Happens Next
Passengers are advised to plan accordingly and arrive at least 45 minutes before the bag check deadline to avoid complications.
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