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Check-in and airport processing times

To help ensure that your trip goes smoothly, please allow enough time for checking in and passing through security. When traveling around holidays or other peak travel times, additional time may be needed.

The Transportation Security Administration is currently requiring enhanced security measures for all flights departing from non-U.S. locations to the United States. We recommend that you ensure that any liquids, aerosols or gels that are included in your carry-on bags adhere to the restrictions currently in place. Visit the TSA web site for details regarding these security measures.

Check-in guidelines

The times below apply to flights operated by United and United Express^®. For flights operated by another carrier, including our codeshare partners, the applicable check-in time limit for that carrier's flight will apply.

United has the right to cancel reservations, deny boarding and refuse the acceptance of checked baggage of any customer who does not meet their applicable check-in time limit.

Check-in is available starting 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Check in now.

Check-in and boarding requirements for flights within the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

For flights within the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, customers and their bags must meet the check-in and boarding requirements below. These requirements refer to the minimum amount of time before scheduled departure.

The minimum check-in time requirement for customers not checking bags on flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is 30 minutes, except for Guam (GUM), which is 60 minutes.

Check-in and boarding requirements for international flights

For international flights, customers and their bags must meet the check-in and boarding requirements below. These requirements refer to the minimum amount of time before scheduled departure.

Processing times for airports within the United States

As a result of heightened security measures, we suggest customers arrive at the airport early. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specified mandatory security measures, some local airport authorities have instituted additional measures above and beyond those requirements. All vehicles approaching the airports are subject to search on the approaching roadways and terminals. This may add to your airport processing times especially in our hubs at Chicago (ORD), Cleveland (CLE), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York/Newark, NJ (EWR), Washington, DC (IAD).

New metal detectors, which have been installed at various airports, are more sensitive. Your time is valuable, so to ensure a seamless security process, we suggest placing all metal items including jewelry in your carry-on luggage before getting to the checkpoint. Shoes containing any type of metal should be removed and placed in the bins provided at the checkpoint.

If you are departing during peak traffic hours, the listed approximate processing time should provide you with enough time to make your flight. Sunday afternoons, Friday afternoons and Monday mornings may require an additional half hour.

Peak traffic hours at most airports are:

• 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Processing times for airports outside the United States

For most cities/regions outside the U.S., the approximate airport processing time is three hours. The following cities/regions are exceptions: