Tejal Somvanshi
United Airlines is tightening its check-in rules, requiring all domestic passengers to complete check-ins at least 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights starting June 3, 2025. This marks a significant change for travelers without checked bags, who previously enjoyed a more lenient 30-minute window.
The policy eliminates the two-tiered system that gave carry-on-only passengers more flexibility. Now, miss the 45-minute cut-off, and you will be left behind—although you have already cleared security.
“The change is to better align with the policies of most other airlines,” United claims. Industry analysts also view this as part of a broader trend among airlines seeking increased operational control at the expense of passenger convenience.
Business travelers and frequent flyers accustomed to cutting it close will feel the change most acutely. The policy particularly impacts those who have built their travel routines around the previous 30-minute window.
For families and groups already juggling multiple logistics, the new deadline adds another layer of complexity. Travel experts recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights to account for the stricter timeline.
The Airline has postponed the enforcement of this change until June 2025, likely to avoid disruption of existing bookings. The airline plans strict enforcement with no exceptions once implemented.
The timing coincides with record-breaking travel volumes. Over Memorial Day weekend 2025, AAA recorded 3.61 million air travelers in the US—a 2% rise from last year and 12% above pre-pandemic levels. United itself operated 4,600 daily flights during this period, approximately one takeoff every 20 seconds.
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International check-in requirements remain unchanged at 60 minutes, with longer windows for specific destinations: 75 minutes for cities like Amsterdam and Paris, and 90 minutes for locations including Tel Aviv and Toronto.
While United frames this as improving efficiency, the change aligns with industry-wide revenue optimization strategies. Airlines globally collected around $30 billion from baggage fees in 2024 alone, according to data by IdeaWorks Co. and CarTrawler, highlighting how operational adjustments often have financial motives.
Research suggests such policies may reduce mishandled baggage rates and flight delays, potentially benefiting the overall system. However, the immediate impact falls squarely on travelers who must now recalibrate their airport arrival times.
Travelers can still check in via the United app, online, or at airport kiosks—but the physical deadline remains firm at 45 minutes pre-departure. The airline recommends completing digital check-in 24 hours in advance when possible.
For those flying United this summer, the message is clear: the days of last-minute airport dashes are over. Plan accordingly or risk watching your flight leave without you.
