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.

The boarding gate for most domestic flights typically closes 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time, while international gates often close 30 minutes prior. It is a common misconception that you can board as long as the plane is still at the gate; once the "Final Call" is issued and the gate agents close the door in the computer system, they are often legally and operationally barred from reopening it. Reopening a door can lead to massive fines (up to $20,000 in some jurisdictions) and requires a formal investigation into the security breach. Airlines like Southwest or Delta use the final minutes to finalize the manifest and weight-and-balance calculations. If you are not at the gate by the time specified on your boarding pass (often labeled as "Gate Closes"), your seat may be given to a standby passenger. In 2026, many airports use biometric gates that automatically lock at the T-minus 15-minute mark, making late boarding nearly impossible.