Second, the window for arrival after your boarding group is called is 1 hour, so even if you are eating while your group is called, there is still a chance you might make your time. If not, make sure to save your dining receipt and take a screenshot of your dining reservation on your smartphone.

Once your boarding group is announced, the "window" to board remains open until the gate agent makes the final boarding call, which usually occurs about 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. While the airline prefers you to line up immediately to keep the process efficient, you are not strictly "timed" out the moment the group is called; you can technically board any time after your group has been cleared, up until the doors close. However, waiting too long is a risky gamble. If you arrive at the gate after the later groups have finished, you may lose out on overhead bin space, forcing you to gate-check your carry-on bag. Most domestic flights begin boarding 30 to 40 minutes before departure, and international flights often start 45 to 60 minutes prior. If you aren't at the gate when the final call is made, the airline reserves the right to give your seat to a standby passenger, so "fashionably late" is not a recommended strategy for air travel.