Most flights start boarding 30 - 50 minutes before scheduled departure, but the exact time depends on your destination and plane. Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you're not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. You will not be allowed to board once the doors close.

In 2026, the time a flight "closes" refers to two different deadlines: the check-in cutoff and the gate closure. For most domestic flights, you must be checked in (with bags dropped) at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure. However, the more critical time for passengers is the boarding gate closure, which typically occurs 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Even if the plane is still physically at the gate, once the "Gate Closed" sign is triggered in the system, the flight crew begins finalizing the manifest and weight-and-balance calculations, and gate agents are generally prohibited from reopening the door. For international flights, these windows are even stricter; gates often close 30 minutes prior to departure to allow for passport verification and document checks. Airlines are increasingly strict about these times to maintain their "on-time performance" metrics, so arriving at the gate at least 40 minutes before departure is the safest way to ensure you aren't left behind while watching your plane pull away.