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Starting June 3, 2025, United Airlines Will Change Its Domestic Check-In Time Cut-off to 45 minutes prior to departure, from its current 30 minutes prior to departure cutoff. The new requirement is now exactly the same as for passengers checking luggage, who were already required to check-in 45 minutes prior to departure.
The 45-minute cut-off also means that United will clear standby passengers at this time, which will now be before boarding begins. That helps United elites who can be cleared from standby earlier and potentially get earlier access to a seat assignment and overhead bin space.
On the other hand, the change hurts those for whom online check-in fails (this has happened to me) and who then has to get to the airport earlier to ensure that their seats aren't given away.
U.S. Airline Check-In and Boarding Cut-Off Times for U.S. Domestic Flights
Note that all times below are when traveling domestically within the U.S.
Alaska Airlines
Check-In: Until 50 minutes prior to departure
Boarding: Must be at the gate at least 30 minutes prior to departure
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American Airlines
Check-In: Until 45 minutes prior to departure for most airports; some U.S. airports have earlier check-in times (e.g. San Juan SJU: 60 min.; St. Thomas STT and St. Croix STX: 90 min.)
Boarding: Must be at the gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure for U.S. domestic flights, 30 min. prior to departure for international flights
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Delta
Check-In: Until 30 minutes prior to departure without checked luggage; 45 minutes prior to departure with checked luggage *except* for certain airports that require check-in 45 minutes prior to arrival even with no checked luggage: Aspen ASE; Cincinnati CLE; Hilton Head HHH; Honolulu HNL; Juneau JNU; Las Vegas LAS; Miami MIA; Moab CNY; Nantucket ACK; New York JFK; New York LGA; Philadelphia PHL; Syracuse SYR; Tallahassee TLH; Vail EGE; Washington, DC DCA; West Tisbury MVY. For Delta, St. Croix STX requires 60 min. check-in before departure without luggage.
Boarding: Must be at the gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure
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Hawaiian Airlines
Check-In: Until 45 minutes prior to departure for flights between Hawaii and North America; until 30 minutes prior to departure for inter-island flights within Hawaii
Boarding: Must be at the gate at least 30 minutes prior to departure
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Source: Live and Let's Fly
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