The following information will help you know what to expect when you arrive at the airport for all flights operated by American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection®.
When travel is completely within the U.S. including Puerto Rico, and on flights to Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands, recommended check-in time is at least 90 minutes prior to departure when checking baggage, and at least 60 minutes prior to departure if not checking baggage.
For flights departing Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands, recommended check-in time is at least two hours prior to scheduled departure.
For international flights, we recommend you arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to departure to allow sufficient time to complete all necessary international requirements. Please view the list below for cities that require additional time for check in.
Before you head to the airport, be sure to check the latest travel alerts to learn about circumstances that could affect schedules, airport operations, parking and more.Recommended check-in times for cities that exceed two hours:
| Flights departing | Recommended Check-In Time |
|---|---|
| Aruba, Aruba (AUA) | 180 minutes |
| Bermuda, Bermuda (BDA) | 150 minutes |
| Canada (All cities) | 180 minutes |
| Delhi, India (DEL) | 210 minutes |
| Dublin, Ireland (DUB) | 180 minutes |
| Lima, Peru (LIM) | 180 minutes |
| Mexico (All cities) | 180 minutes |
| Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) | 180 minutes |
| Paris Charles De Gaulle, France (CDG) | 180 minutes |
| Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP) | 180 minutes |
| Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago (POS) | 180 minutes |
| San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP) | 180 minutes |
| Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU) | 180 minutes |
As always, be sure to check your flight status information before you head to the airport.
Customers must comply with minimum check-in requirements to retain their seats on the flight on which they are confirmed. Pre-reserved seats are subject to cancellation unless you have checked in (obtained a boarding pass) at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure. American does not guarantee to provide any particular seat on the aircraft.
For passengers checking bags, there are also baggage acceptance cutoff times. "Baggage acceptance cutoff time" means that customers must present themselves and their baggage to an airline representative for check-in no later than the stated cutoff times for the departure airport.
In addition to checking in 30 minutes before departure, you must be present at the departure gate and ready to board at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time to retain your reservation and a seat.
For customers checking baggage, cutoff time for baggage check-in is 30 minutes before departure for all airports in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands with the following exceptions:
| Flights departing | Baggage Acceptance Cutoff Time |
|---|---|
| Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) | 40 minutes |
| Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) | 40 minutes |
| Chicago O'Hare, Illinois (ORD) | 40 minutes |
| Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (DFW) | 40 minutes |
| Denver, Colorado (DEN) | 45 minutes |
| Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) | 45 minutes |
| Los Angeles, California (LAX) | 45 minutes |
| Miami, Florida (MIA) | 45 minutes |
| Newark, New Jersey (EWR) | 40 minutes |
| New York (JFK) | 45 minutes |
| Orlando, Florida (MCO) | 40 minutes |
| San Francisco, California (SFO) | 40 minutes |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) | 40 minutes |
| St. Croix, U.S Virgin Islands (STX) | 45 minutes |
| St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands (STT) | 60 minutes |
| Tampa, Florida (TPA) | 40 minutes |
| Washington Dulles, District of Columbia (IAD) | 40 minutes |
Notes:
In Orlando, baggage for confirmed flights may only be accepted up to four hours prior to confirmed departure.
In Miami, baggage for confirmed flights may only be accepted up to five hours prior to confirmed departure.
For flights originating outside the U.S., you must check in 60 minutes before departure however, check the suggested arrival times above, and be present at the departure gate and ready to board at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time to retain your reservation and a seat. Standard baggage acceptance cutoff for flights originating in all airports outside the U.S. is 60 minutes before departure.
For international departures from a U.S. city, standard baggage acceptance cutoff time is 60 minutes.
Customers arriving in the U.S. from an international city must claim checked bags at their first stop within the U.S. and proceed through Immigrations/Customs. Customers connecting to another airline Internationally should check the applicable country's Customs procedures to determine whether checked baggage needs to be re-checked with the other airline upon arrival into that country.
Passengers are required to present a boarding pass or priority verification card and government-issued photo identification (such as a driver's license or passport) at the primary security checkpoint. Please see the information below for available options to obtain a boarding pass.
American provides a wide range of convenient options for obtaining your boarding pass:
If You Are Visiting an Admirals Club® Lounge, But Not Flying
Non-traveling Admirals Club members who are attending a business meeting in the Admirals Club or Executive Center and non-traveling, non-members attending a private, reserved conference room meeting will be allowed through the security checkpoint if their name is placed on the daily meetings list given to the security checkpoint at least 24 hours in advance.
To have your name placed on the list, please call 1-800-237-7971 and select the club location you wish to access. Club personnel will assist you with your request and provide information to you to access security. For additional information regarding the Admirals Club please visit www.aa.com/admiralsclub.
Additional Information
Air carrier authorization forms for escorting minors, elderly, etc. will still be available and valid for passage through security checkpoints. For more information regarding unaccompanied minors, please refer to our Traveling With Children page.
Further information regarding clearing the security checkpoint can be found at www.aa.com/checkpoints.
At various airports, AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® and AAdvantage Gold® members, AAirpass® holders, as well as First or Business Class customers may have available special entrances to security checkpoints.
To confirm availability of this service, we suggest that you inquire at the airport upon arrival.
Premium security checkpoint access varies based in part on local TSA staffing constraints. Local operators at some airports may also restrict access to these checkpoint entrances.