Can I check in 36 hours before flight?

Customers who purchase an Anytime fare will automatically be checked in to their flight 36 hours prior to scheduled departure—that's 12 hours before our traditional 24-hour check-in. You will receive an earlier boarding position, improved seat selection, and earlier access to overhead bins.



Whether you can check in 36 hours before your flight in 2026 depends entirely on your airline's specific policy. While the standard industry window is 24 hours before departure, several major carriers offer extended windows. For example, Southwest Airlines allows "EarlyBird Check-In" customers to be checked in automatically 36 hours prior, though standard check-in is still 24 hours. International airlines like Lufthansa, KLM, and Air France often open their online check-in portals 30 hours in advance, while TAP Air Portugal and some Asian carriers like Cathay Pacific sometimes allow check-in up to 48 hours before the flight. For most U.S. domestic legacy carriers like Delta or American, the window remains strictly 24 hours. Always check your digital itinerary or the airline's mobile app, as checking in as early as possible is the best way to secure your preferred seat and potentially avoid being "bumped" on overbooked flights.

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Check-in times You can check in online or from the app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before your flight (90 for international). To check bags or check in at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. – 45 minutes.

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Check-in times You can check in online or from the app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before your flight (90 for international). To check bags or check in at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. – 45 minutes.

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Once you've checked in, the airline knows you're definitely coming aboard and will make sure you're aware if there are any changes. Essentially, when you check in early it “reconfirms” your flight and puts you in the perfect position to get any last minute updates.

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Customers can add EarlyBird Check-In to their reservation up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled departure, when it is available. Upgraded Boarding guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position and, when available, can be added to a reservation up to 30 minutes before a flight's scheduled departure.

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Boarding passes are provided directly by the airline after checking in for your flight. If the airline you're flying with offers online check-in 24 hours before departure time, you can usually print your boarding passes directly from the website or have them sent directly to your phone!

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Between 48 hours and 3 hours before your flight. You can check in up to 30 days before your flight if you purchase a seat.

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Checking in online 24 hours before your flight leaves gives you the opportunity to select your seat and print out boarding passes ahead of time. This will save you time at the airport and make sure that everything runs smoothly on the day of travel.

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There's no fixed time given by the airport stating how early passengers can go through the security check. But for a guarantee of minimal stress, arriving 2-4 hours early is recommended. If you want, you can even travel 6 hours ahead. It's wise to give yourself some cushion for ease of mind.

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One disadvantage is certainly that many people have poor time management and arrive too late at the airport if they check in online. For some, this can lead to unwanted time pressure. On the other hand, those who still have to check in at the airport itself usually arrive early enough and are therefore over-punctual.

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In most cases, you will only need to go to check-in when you have checked-in online if you need to drop off an item of hold baggage. Please ensure that you are aware of the hand baggage requirements for your specific airline before you travel.

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Generally speaking, we like to err on the side of caution and suggest you print out your boarding pass, even if you already checked in online and have a mobile version on your phone.

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There is no need to print tickets thanks to e-tickets. In other words, e-ticket or online flight tickets have replaced the print ones. Passengers and airline company makes a contract through e-tickets. Passengers' ticket details are secured in the company's database through encryptions such as PNR.

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If you expect a full flight, try to board earlier – this will improve your chances to get cabin space for your luggage over your designated seat. Having to place your cabin luggage behind your seat or checking it in leads to a significant time loss.

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If you're flying during an off-peak season and the airline has plenty of empty seats in Business Class, it may be a cost-effective option. But, if you're flying during a peak season and the airline has a limited number of seats available for upgrades, booking in advance may be the better choice.

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Who should do it? A ticket upgrade may make sense if any of the following are true: You like the idea of boarding the plane quickly so you can choose your preferred seat and are guaranteed an A1 through A15 boarding position. You want to maximize the Rapid Rewards points that you earn.

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It's sometimes possible to check your bags 12 hours before a same-day flight in major airports, but this is at the discretion of the check-in staff and is by not guaranteed.

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What to Do After Online Check-In. Once you receive your electronic boarding pass, you can head straight to security if you're traveling carry-on only. If you're checking a bag, you'll still need to stop by the ticketing area at the airport. Look for special “bag drop” lines that bypass longer check-in lines.

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Online Check-in for International Flights. Online check-in allows those who have reserved seats and completed the required information to check into their flight from 24 hours prior to departure. During this process, you can confirm or change seats and get a boarding pass.

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