Gate checking is the process of checking your bag at the gate to be stored in the cargo hold of the aircraft. This is different from regularly checking your bag, as the process is normally completed at a check-in desk/ticket counter pre-security, rather than at the departure gate before you board your flight.

"Gate checking" is a process in 2026 where an airline takes your carry-on bag at the boarding gate and places it in the aircraft's cargo hold because the overhead bins are full or the bag exceeds new, stricter 2026 size limits (typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches). Unlike bags checked at the front counter, gate-checked bags are often (but not always) provided with a "green tag" or "valet tag," meaning you can pick them up on the jet bridge immediately upon deplaning rather than at baggage claim. However, on larger mainline jets in 2026, many airlines have shifted to "checked-to-final-destination" policies for gate-checked items to reduce congestion on the jet bridge. It is crucial to remove all lithium batteries, power banks, and essential medications before handing the bag to the agent, as these items are fire hazards in the cargo hold. While many airlines offer this service for free to speed up boarding, some ultra-low-cost carriers in 2026 may still apply a fee if the bag was found to be oversized.