Latest news with #checkin
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why are airlines changing check-in rules?
If you're traveling this summer, brace yourself for an important shift in airport check-in rules. Airlines are updating their check-in deadlines in real-time, signaling a new era of tighter airport schedules in hopes of improving on-time departures. But what exactly do these new check-in policies mean for you as a traveler? Why are they happening now? And what can you do to make sure you don't miss your flight? Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines adjusted its domestic check-in cutoff from 30 minutes to 45 minutes before departure for most U.S. flights. International flights still require check-in at least 60 minutes before departure, but the window to check bags has also tightened in some airports. This week, United Airlines silently updated their check-in policy: passengers must now check in no later than 45 minutes prior to takeoff for domestic flights. The airline said the change aims to bring greater consistency across its operations and align more closely with other major carriers. These aren't isolated updates. Other carriers, including American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, have also been reinforcing existing policies or sending reminders to travelers about the importance of early arrival, indicating a broader industry push toward punctuality. The move to stricter check-in policies isn't arbitrary. Airlines are facing mounting pressure to improve on-time performance and reduce costly delays, especially as travel rebounds post-pandemic. Here's why it matters: Tighter schedules, bigger crowds: With more flights and fuller planes, a few late passengers can trigger a domino effect of delays, costing airlines money and frustrating travelers. Gate congestion: Airlines want to avoid last-minute baggage drops and rebookings that cause congestion at gates and customer service desks. On-time performance metrics: The Department of Transportation (DOT) tracks and publishes on-time arrival rates. Poor performance can damage an airline's reputation and customer loyalty. In short, when passengers check in late, it doesn't just affect their own flight; it can ripple across the entire day's schedule. With airlines enforcing stricter policies, it's more important than ever to arrive early and understand the fine print of your carrier's rules. Here are a few traveler-friendly tips from Gate Access: Most airlines allow online check-in 24 hours before departure. Doing this ahead of time reduces time spent at airport kiosks and lets you spot any travel alerts. Try setting a calendar reminder on your phone to send you a notification to check in early. Doing so can also improve your boarding group for some airlines. Airlines recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. This is especially critical if you're checking bags. And don't forget: TSA screening lines can be a major variable. Even with TSA PreCheck, some airports report wait times as long as 30–45 minutes during peak hours. Regular security lines can take even longer. To avoid surprises, visit your airport's website ahead of your flight; most now offer real-time TSA wait time estimates. Knowing this data can help you better plan your arrival time and reduce stress. Even if you're checked in online, bag drop counters close at the same time as check-in deadlines. Showing up late with a bag means you could be denied boarding. These apps often send push notifications with updates on gate changes, boarding times and policy changes. Ultimately, early arrival isn't just about airline check-in deadlines — it's about building in margin for TSA and other variables that can't be controlled once you step into the terminal. Awareness is key The worst time to find out you've missed the check-in window is when you're standing in front of a closed bag-drop counter. With check-in rules becoming stricter across the board, travelers can no longer believe in 'airport theory'. If you're flying Delta, United or any major U.S. carrier this year, assume you need to be checked in at least 45 minutes before departure — and ideally, much earlier. The days of rolling up to the airport 30 minutes before your flight are officially over. For families, seniors and those who need extra assistance, services like TSA Cares can help smooth the experience, offering personalized security support and expedited help through the airport. Ultimately, being informed is your best defense against delays. A few extra minutes in arrival can mean the difference between a relaxing trip and a travel nightmare.
Condé Nast Traveler
4 days ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
United Passengers Are Required to Check In Earlier Starting June 3
Running fifteen minutes late isn't the end of the world—unless you're on the way to board a flight, that is. Starting June 3, 2025, United Airlines will require passengers to check in for domestic flights at least 45 minutes before departure, replacing its previous 30-minute guideline. The new rule applies to passengers both with and without checked baggage. Travelers who don't need to check any bags can check in online 24 hours before their flight and get a digital boarding pass. For international flights, travelers must check in at least 60 minutes before departure. '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,' a United spokesperson tells Condé Nast Traveler. 'Customers can review domestic and international airport check-in time limits here and use our lobby kiosks for self-service as needed." It's a small policy tweak, but travelers who unknowingly miss the new check in cutoff may not be allowed to board. 'If you don't meet your check-in time limits, we'll do our best to find another option," United's website says. "However, we have the right to deny service which may result in cancellation of your reservation, denied boarding or the option to check your bags.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Uproar as United Airlines announces new restriction on check-in rules
United Airlines has narrowed its check-in cutoff window, sparking frustration among travelers who now have to get to the airport even earlier to avoid missing their flight. The Chicago-based airline revealed that passengers will soon have to check in for domestic flights 45 minutes before departure - an uptick from the previous 30-minute cutoff, ABC's Good Morning America reported. Starting June 3, even travelers without checked bags will be required to check-in earlier under the airline's new policy. '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,' United told the outlet via email. The new 45-minute cutoff will apply to all passengers flying domestically with United, regardless of whether they have checked bags or not. As for international flights, travelers will be required to check in an hour before departure. However, check-in times may change based on specific flight details or the airport destination. 'Some airports or flights have special time limits which depend on location,' the airline explained on its website, which also features a list of locations showing the different cutoff times. 'However, we have the right to deny service which may result in cancellation of your reservation, denied boarding or the option to check your bags,' it added. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises travelers to check directly with their airline for specific check-in requirements, as these can vary depending on travel dates and confuse the process for vacation-goers. In general, it's wise to allow extra time for traffic, airport delays, check-in routines and security screening to ensure a smooth departure. The recent announcement sparked outrage among many travelers, who expressed anger on social media over having to arrive at the airport even earlier - cutting into their personal time and extending already long travel days. Some even criticized the move as yet another inconvenience added to the widely-dreaded flying experience. 'Total bs, reselling seats,' one angry traveler wrote to X. Another chimed in: 'How does being at the airport earlier "give travelers more time?"' 'F*** you..' a third user wrote. 'My time is worth more than that.' Another frustrated customer added: 'Yeah... because we need to make flying LESS convenient for flyers.' United Airlines has already made headlines several times this year, drawing attention for a series of policy changes and customer service controversies. Earlier this month, United flight attendants protested at a company event, making it clear that they were looking for new contracts rather than a new business class. While celebrating the launch of its new luxury seats at a company event in New York on May 12, about a dozen uniformed cabin crew employed with the airline protested their new contracts. The protest highlighted a growing labor dispute at the airline. United has not offered raises to its flight attendants in five years, and contracts became amendable in 2021. Talks have dragged on, sparking multiple demonstrations this year. During the event, the protesters were chanting for new contracts, and requested that the company be 'shut down' if it doesn't provide them. Security stepped in and ordered the protestors to leave immediately. One of them accused a cabin member of trespassing. United confirmed that no protestors were suspended or disciplined for their actions. The company also decided not to reduce any of the participants' pay. Flight attendants requested United implement 'significant double-digit base pay increases to lead the industry'. The employees also sought out more schedule flexibility, job security and retirement plan improvements. Additionally, they demanded compensation owed to employees for work dating back to their contract's amendable date. The protests came after the airline introduced its new Polaris Studio suites - 25 percent larger than its existing business class seats. Flyers will get luxury perks like Ossetra caviar, Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, regionally inspired tapas, plasma face masks, and designer hoodie pajamas. The suites, complete with sliding doors and Wi-Fi from Starlink, will debut on international routes from San Francisco to London and Singapore by year's end. Tickets will cost between $3,000 and $15,000 return. But while the front of the plane gets a glossy upgrade, the rest of United's customers are getting fewer choices. United announced a plan to cut four in every 100 of its domestic flights this year - blaming Americans not wanting to travel as much. The US's largest airline said it would be cutting back late night and early morning flights as it sees a sharp drop in demand as economic jitters ripple across the country. However, many loyal travelers criticized the timing of United's new business class rollout, calling it tone-deaf as millions of Americans are struggling to afford summer travel.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Victory for Airbnb hosts as Italian judges scrap key box ban
Italian judges have overturned a government ban on remote check-ins for short-term rentals, reversing a controversial measure that led to the removal of key boxes from city centres. The ban, enacted by the interior ministry in November, aimed to address security concerns related to check-ins for properties listed on platforms like Airbnb, where face-to-face interaction is absent. The Lazio administrative court annulled the directive, stating that it placed excessive burdens on landlords. Marco Celani, head of short-term rentals association AIGAB, welcomed the court's ruling and said his lobby was in talks with the government for the "full recognition" of remote check-in technologies. The interior ministry said it would wait for the court to publish the reasons for its ruling before deciding whether to appeal to a higher administrative court.
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
United Made a Big Change to Its Check-in Policy—Here's What Travelers Should Know
One U.S. airline is changing its pre-departure rules just as summer travel begins to take off. Starting June 3, United Airlines will change its check-in time limits for domestic flights. Under the new rules, all travelers on domestic flights must check in at least 45 minutes before departure. Previously, passengers who were flying within the U.S. and were not checking bags could check in 15 minutes closer to takeoff, with the former cutoff for those fliers being at least 30 minutes before departure. The policy change means that all domestic passengers will now have the same check-in time limits, regardless of whether they're checking luggage. "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," a United Airlines spokesperson told Travel + Leisure . Travelers on United's international flights will still have the same check-in cutoff time of 60 minutes before departure. Passengers who miss their flight's check-in window are not issued a boarding pass and are not allowed to board their plane. "If you don't meet your check-in time limits, we'll do our best to find another option," United says on its website. "However, we have the right to deny service which may result in cancellation of your reservation, denied boarding or the option to check your bags." Check-in opens 24 hours before a flight's departure time and can be completed on an airline's website, mobile app, or in person at the airport—either at a self-service kiosk or at your carrier's check-in desk in the terminal's ticketing area. The process usually takes just a couple minutes or less. Although fliers are allowed to check in for United's domestic flights less than an hour before their plane takes off, it's usually a good idea to complete the process much earlier, especially during the busy summer vacation season. Checking in early means that passengers who haven't yet selected a seat will still have plenty of appealing spots to choose from. For basic economy fliers who are automatically assigned a seat at check-in, completing the process early gives them a better chance of securing their place on the plane, which in some cases might lessen their chances of being bumped from their plane in the event of an oversold flight. Passengers who want to complete check-in at the airport should plan to arrive at the terminal well ahead of their departure time, especially during peak summer months. 'Give yourself at least two hours to park or return a rental car, take a shuttle to the airport if needed, check in with your airline and drop your bags, and prepare for the security checkpoint,' the TSA said in a recent release obtained by T+L . 'If you do not have a REAL ID or some other form of acceptable ID, you should arrive at the airport even earlier than the suggested two hours for additional screening.' Passengers traveling on international flights should also plan to get to the airport earlier: arriving about three hours before takeoff is considered the safe rule of thumb to accommodate earlier check-in and boarding times on international routes.
