For international travel, a good rule is to arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to departure and 2 hours for domestic travel. International flights often start boarding 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to departure time.

For international flights in 2026, the standard recommendation is to arrive at the airport and begin the check-in process 3 hours before your scheduled departure. This window is necessary to accommodate the extra layers of documentation required for global travel, such as passport verification, visa checks, and any remaining health certifications. Most airlines close their check-in counters and bag drop services exactly 60 minutes prior to take-off; if you arrive after this cutoff, you will likely be denied boarding. If you have checked luggage, you should aim to be at the counter at least 90 minutes early to ensure the bags make it through the security screening system and onto the aircraft. Checking in online via the airline's app 24 hours in advance can save you time, but you will still need to visit a kiosk or counter for a physical document check if the airline cannot verify your travel credentials digitally.