When does a flight start boarding?
At most large US airlines, boarding starts about 30 to 50 minutes before the scheduled departure and ends 10 to 15 minutes before it, depending on the airline, the plane and the route. Your boarding pass shows the exact time for your flight. To make it, you need to be at the airport well before that: in time to check in, drop a bag, clear security and walk to the gate.
Boarding time, departure time and arrive-by time
- Departure time is when the plane is scheduled to leave the gate. It’s the time on your ticket.
- Boarding time is when the airline starts letting passengers on, shown on your boarding pass. Boarding ends shortly before departure, and once the door closes, you can’t board.
- Arrive-by time is when you should walk into the airport. It comes first, because everything before the gate (check-in, bag drop, security, the walk) has to fit before boarding ends.
BoardFlight works out the arrive-by time for your flight. Check your flight →
When boarding starts and ends, by airline
These are each airline’s own published guidance, checked October 18, 2026. Your boarding pass and the airline’s app have the exact times for your flight.
| Airline | Boarding starts | Boarding ends / be at the gate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Most flights 30–50 min before departure | Boarding ends 15 min before departure; doors close at least 10 min before. International: at the gate 30 min before | aa.com boarding · aa.com at the gate |
| Delta Air Lines | Not published on Delta's site; shown on your boarding pass | At the gate and ready to board 15 min before departure (domestic). International: Delta recommends the gate 45 min before | delta.com domestic · delta.com international |
| United Airlines | Most flights 40–50 min before takeoff | Boarding ends and doors close about 15 min before departure. International: at the gate 30 min before | united.com boarding · contract of carriage |
| Southwest Airlines | May begin as early as 30 min before departure | In the gate area, ready to board, at least 10 min before departure | southwest.com check-in |
| JetBlue | Not published on JetBlue's site; shown on your boarding pass | On board at least 15 min before departure (domestic), 20 min (international) | jetblue.com boarding |
| Alaska Airlines | See Alaska's site | See Alaska's site | alaskaair.com cut-off times |
Checked Oct 18, 2026. Airlines change these rules; the airline’s own page and your boarding pass always win.
Why boarding times vary
The airline, the plane and the route all move it. American says the exact time “depends on your destination and plane” (aa.com, checked Oct 18, 2026). American’s newsroom gives 35 minutes of boarding on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft and 40 minutes on Boeing 737, Airbus A321 and widebody aircraft (American Airlines Newsroom, 2025, checked Oct 18, 2026). International flights have earlier gate deadlines at American, United, Delta and JetBlue (table above). Boarding order is set by group or zone, printed on your boarding pass.
Why your arrive-by time is earlier than boarding
Boarding time is the last part of the trip, not the first. Before you can board, you have to get from the curb to check-in, drop a bag if you have one, get through security and walk to your gate, and each of those takes a different amount of time at each airport and each hour. Your airline also sets earlier cutoffs for checking in and dropping bags.
BoardFlight adds those steps up for your flight, at your airport and your hour, and gives you one time to walk in the door. It’s built for a slower-than-usual day, so a normal busy morning still fits. The result is a planning estimate, not a guarantee, so follow your airline’s own check-in and boarding guidance.
Boarding questions
How long before departure does boarding start?
At most large US airlines, about 30 to 50 minutes before departure, depending on the airline, the plane and the route. American says most flights board 30 to 50 minutes before departure and United says 40 to 50; Southwest may begin as early as 30. Your boarding pass shows the time for your flight.
When does boarding end?
Usually 10 to 15 minutes before departure. American, United and Delta (domestic) ask you to be boarding or at the gate 15 minutes before departure, JetBlue requires you to be on board 15 minutes before a domestic flight, and Southwest asks you to be in the gate area 10 minutes before. Once the door closes, you can't board.
Is boarding time the same as departure time?
No. Departure time is when the plane leaves the gate. Boarding time is earlier, when passengers start getting on. The time printed on your ticket is the departure time.
What time should I get to the airport if my boarding time is printed on my pass?
Earlier than boarding, by enough to check in, drop any bag, clear security and walk to your gate. That depends on the airport and the hour. Enter your flight number and BoardFlight works it out.
How late can I board a flight?
Until the airline's cutoff, typically 10 to 15 minutes before departure for a domestic flight and earlier for international flights. Arriving at the gate after that risks losing your seat. Check your airline's rule in the table above.
Know when to walk in the door
Boarding time tells you when the gate opens. BoardFlight tells you when to be at the airport, for your flight, your airport and your hour. Free, no account.