New York: Planning to fly United Airlines soon? Starting June 3, 2025, United Airlines is enforcing new check-in and baggage cut-off times for domestic and international travelers. If you don’t follow the new time limits, your reservation could be cancelled — even if you’ve already booked your ticket.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the new policy, how it affects your flight, and which airports have special check-in rules.
What’s Changed?
United Airlines has updated the minimum check-in times for all passengers — whether you’re checking bags or not. These changes are now strictly enforced and vary depending on whether you’re flying within the U.S. or internationally.
If you don’t check in by the new deadline, United Airlines may deny boarding, cancel your reservation, or refuse to check your bags. While the airline says it will try to help rebook, it’s not guaranteed.
Standard Check-In Deadlines (All Airports)
| Flight Type | With or Without Bags | Time Limit |
| Domestic Flights | ✅ | 45 minutes before departure |
| International Flights | ✅ | 60 minutes before departure |
Source: United Airlines
U.S. Airports with Special Check-In Rules
Some airports, especially those with international or island-bound flights, have longer check-in requirements:
| Airport | Check-In Deadline |
| Micronesia, Marshall Islands | 90 minutes |
| Honolulu (HNL) | 45 mins (domestic), 75 mins (international) |
| Saipan (SPN) | 90 minutes |
| St. Thomas (STT) | 90 minutes |
| Guam (GUM) | 60 mins (domestic), 90 mins (international) |
| GUM to HNL route | 90 minutes |
Source: United Airlines
Early Bag Drop in Guam: If your flight leaves before 9:30 AM, you can check bags the night before (7:30 PM–9:30 PM). Perishables still go through regular check-in.
International Airports With Longer Deadlines
For many major global destinations, United Airlines has set a 75–90 minute minimum check-in rule:
| Airport | Check-In Deadline |
| Accra (ACC), Lagos (LOS), Tel Aviv (TLV), Toronto (YYZ), Palau (ROR), Pohnpei (PNI), Yap (YAP), Kosrae (KSA), Chuuk (TKK), Dakar (DSS) | 90 minutes |
| Amsterdam (AMS), Delhi (DEL), Paris (CDG), Rome (FCO), Zurich (ZRH), Dubai (DXB), Frankfurt (FRA), Milan (MXP), Lima (LIM), Dublin (DUB), Marrakech (RAK), Berlin (BER), Brussels (BRU), Munich (MUC), Athens (ATH) | 75 minutes |
Source: United Airlines
What This Means for You
Arrive early: Always reach the airport at least 2 hours before your flight, even if you’re not checking bags.
Check your airport’s rule: Especially if flying from/to islands, the Middle East, or Africa.
Bag drop matters: If you miss the bag drop deadline, you may not be allowed to board.
Why This Update Matters (and Why It’s Trending)
With peak summer travel approaching, United Airlines is aiming to reduce last-minute rushes and improve boarding efficiency. But this also means passengers must be more punctual than ever — or risk missing their flight despite holding a ticket.
