Most flights begin boarding 40-50 minutes before takeoff. Boarding ends and the plane doors close about 15 minutes before departure. To make sure boarding goes as smoothly as possible, we've outlined how it works here.

In 2026, boarding typically begins 30 to 50 minutes before the scheduled departure time. For domestic "narrow-body" aircraft like a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, boarding usually starts 30 minutes prior. For large "wide-body" international flights (like a Boeing 787 or Airbus A350), the process begins earlier, usually 45 to 55 minutes before takeoff, to accommodate the 300+ passengers. It is critical to note that the boarding gate closes 15 to 20 minutes before departure—this is when the airline "finalizes" the manifest and begins weight-and-balance calculations. In 2026, many airlines have transitioned to "biometric boarding," which has slightly sped up the per-person boarding time, but the overall window remains the same to ensure a timely pushback. If you arrive at the gate 10 minutes before takeoff, even if the plane is still there, you will likely be denied boarding because the digital flight plan has already been locked.