What do I need to do when I arrive at the airport?

How to find your way around an airport
  1. Arrive in the right spot — and at the right time. Follow the signs at your respective airport to make sure you find the correct terminal building for your flight. ...
  2. Check in. ...
  3. Go through the security checkpoint. ...
  4. Find your gate. ...
  5. Wait at the gate. ...
  6. Board the airplane. ...
  7. Retrieve your luggage.




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Airport Security: At the airport security you will be required to pass your hand luggage through an x-ray machine where it will be checked for dangerous goods. You will also be required to pass through a metal detector. At the security pass, the officer will ask you for your boarding pass which will then be scanned.

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For most airports, you must be checked in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time (airports requiring additional time are listed below, Go to footer note). Additionally, you're required to be at the gate and ready to board 15 minutes before scheduled departure.

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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, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight. That said, there are many factors to consider that will help you decide how much time you should budget for at the airport.

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Depending on the requirements of airport authorities, you will need to present a mobile boarding pass, a paper boarding pass printed out by you or a paper boarding pass picked up from the check-in desk.

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Find the appropriate check-in gate (point) for your flight. Have your documents ready – passport (or national ID), online reservation booking number (code), or a paper copy of your ticket (if you have one).

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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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Identification
  • Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  • U.S. passport.
  • U.S. passport card.
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
  • Permanent resident card.


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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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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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Yes, simply show your mobile boarding pass on a mobile phone, iPad, or Apple Watch and a valid form of identification to the TSA Agent at security to proceed. To board your flight, scan your mobile boarding pass by holding one of the devices listed above with your pass facing the scanner.

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Check-In Times at U.S. Airports When you're traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.

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Add a boarding pass with a screenshot
  1. Open the email, app, or website that has your boarding pass.
  2. Find your boarding pass. ...
  3. For a few seconds, press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time. ...
  4. On the “Screenshot saved” notification, tap Add to Google Wallet. ...
  5. Tap Save.


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You might show the ticket for your flight if the check-in agent can't find the booking record simply with your ID document. But you'll need to show a boarding pass on your phone to pass security and get on to a plane.

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After purchasing your ticket online, download the file and print your ticket. Passengers can find their e-ticket files in the email sent to them. For domestic flights, passengers do not have to show their e-tickets at the security checkpoints.

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Flying domestically, all that is needed to board the plane is a valid boarding pass. Some countries may have different rules, but for the most part that's all you need. When flying internationally you will be required to produce both a passport and the boarding pass.

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Airliners can descend over 8,000 feet per minutes if needed. A descent from 35,000 feet at that rate would have you down to 11,000 feet in 3 minutes or less. John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.

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