Checking in at the Airport (From Bag Check-in to Boarding)

Flying can be an extremely stressful experience, especially if it’s your first time navigating an airport. While many variables can affect your flight, there’s a lot you can do to be sure you arrive at your plane on time. We spoke to expert travel agents, planners, travel advisors, and a pilot to teach you everything from preparing for your flight and checking in to passing through airport security and finding your gate.

How to Check in to the Airport

Travel agent Stef Katz advises checking in at the airport as early as possible so that you can arrive at your gate at least 2 hours before boarding time. Other steps to save time checking in are ahead:

Confirm your flight the night before your trip.
Pack your travel documents, including ID and boarding pass (if pre-printed).
Upon arrival, check any bags at the airline counter or kiosk and print your boarding pass.
Go to the security gate and remove any laptops, liquids, or gels beforehand.
Locate your gate number and head to the gate.

Section 1 of 5:

Preparing for Your Flight

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Confirm your flight beforehand. The night before you are scheduled to fly, check to make sure that everything is proceeding as planned. After purchasing your ticket, you should have received a confirmation email from your airline. Check that confirmation to make sure the flight is still scheduled to take off on time.^{[1]
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- If you decide to check in online, Katz says, “you’ll get a boarding pass on the airline’s website that you can print out on paper, pull up on your phone in the airline’s app, or print at the airport."^{[2]
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  Stef Katz
  Travel Agent
  
  Expert Interview}
- Travel planner Amy Tan also recommends “adding your TSA PreCheck number to your flight reservation," if you have a PreCheck number.^{[3]
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  Amy Tan
  Travel Planner
  
  Expert Interview}
- If your flight time has changed, adjust your travel plans accordingly. Depending on how long your flight has been delayed, it may affect any connecting flights you intend to take. Contact your airline if you’re concerned about missing your connection because of your flight delay.
- Continue to check on the status of your flight leading up to your arrival at the airport. Some airlines will send text notifications to inform you about delays, but continue to monitor the situation.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Stef Katz is a travel agent who has helped clients enjoy convenience and ease in their travel planning for 6 years.

Amy Tan is a travel planner who specializes in creating itineraries for dream vacations and group trips.

Gary Baumgardner is an airline pilot with over 18 years of experience helping people overcome their fear of flying.

Shannon McEvoy, CTA, is a certified travel advisor with over 17 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry.
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Pack your travel documents. You will not be allowed on a plane without your ticket and identification. For travelers over 18, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or passport may suffice. Travelers under the age of 18 who are traveling with an adult companion may not be required to show identification.^{[4]
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U.S. Transportation Security Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols

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- If you are under the age of 18 and traveling alone, contact the TSA or the relevant authority to determine the required identification you need.
- If you are traveling internationally, you will not be allowed on the plane without a passport.
- If you arrive at the airport without your ID, you will have to fill out additional forms and answer some TSA questions to confirm your identity.
- Keep your travel documents handy—you will need to show them when you check in as well as when you go through security, so don't pack them in a hard-to-reach area.
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Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours early. Katz recommends checking in as early as possible so you have plenty of time at the gate before boarding.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Stef Katz
Travel Agent

Expert Interview} There are many variables at play when you’re checking in for a flight, so plan on arriving at least 2 hours early so you can move through the airport quickly. If you are traveling internationally, traveling with small children, or traveling with anyone with a disability, plan on arriving even earlier than that.^{[6]
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- If you’re driving, leave extra time to park your car and take the shuttle over to your terminal, if required.
- If you’re traveling to an airport for the first time, leave extra time in case you get lost while navigating the airport.
- Certified travel advisor Shannon McEvoy, CTA, notes that “you can request wheelchair assistance ahead of time on the TSA Cares website.” To arrange wheelchair assistance, “notify your airline directly. If you’re dropped off near the curbside baggage drop, someone can meet you with a wheelchair.”^{[7]
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  Shannon McEvoy, CTA
  Certified Travel Advisor
  
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Section 2 of 5:

Checking in for Your Flight

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Find your airline’s check-in counter for departing flights. The first thing you’ll need to do when you arrive at the airport is to locate your airline. Airports are divided into terminals; each terminal houses a different set of airlines. There are also different terminals for arrivals and departures. Go to the departure terminal for your airline. Find out what terminal your airline is in by looking online, calling the airport, or asking one of the employees at the airport.
- If you are taking mass transportation or having someone drop you off at the airport, make sure you let them know what airline you are flying so they can drop you off at the correct building.
- Many airlines also have self-service check-in kiosks in the departure terminal that allow you to print out a boarding pass and luggage tags. You may have to enter personal information or scan your passport or debit/credit card. The kiosks also print bag tags, which you can attach to your luggage and drop off at a self-service bag drop area.^{[8]
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Check your bags. Depending on what you’ve packed, you may need to check a bag or two. Most airlines will allow you one carry-on bag, in addition to one hand-held bag (like a laptop case or a purse). Tan recommends going immediately to the counter for your designated airline if you plan on checking bags.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Interview}
- If you are not checking a bag, skip this step and proceed straight to check in.
- Many airlines at major U.S. airports offer curbside check-in, a location outside the terminal for checking bags. Using this location helps those who have larger items to check, like car seats. Depending on the airline, you might be able to print out your boarding pass at the curbside check-in.^{[10]
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- Travelers are allowed to check up to 2 bags, but there is a weight and size limit on those bags. Check with your airline to see what those weight restrictions are.
- Be careful not to over-pack, as going over the weight limit for checked baggage may result in fees of over $75.00.
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Get a copy of your boarding pass (or print it out if at a kiosk). To board your plane, you’ll need a boarding pass. If you’ve chosen to check your bags, give your airline attendant your identification, and they’ll be able to print out your boarding pass for you. If you’re not checking your bags, you can still go to the attendant for help, or you can choose to self-check in at the kiosks.
- Tan suggests “checking if the TSA PreCheck is noted on your boarding pass when you get your boarding pass" (if you're part of the TSA PreCheck program).^{[11]
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  Amy Tan
  Travel Planner
  
  Expert Interview}
- If you checked in electronically, you will receive an email 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Follow the instructions in the e-mail to check in for your flight.
- If you have a smartphone, open the boarding pass with your phone and use your phone as your boarding pass.

Section 3 of 5:

Going Through Airport Security

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Take off any outerwear or metallic jewelry before entering the security line. In order to go through security successfully, you will need to remove your jacket and belt (but as of 2025, you can now leave your shoes on!) If you are wearing any metallic jewelry or accessories, remove these as well, as these will also set off the metal detectors.
- Check your pockets! Take out keys or anything else made of metal that might set off the metal detector.
- Try to remove your excess clothing while you are still waiting. The security line moves very quickly at the end, and it’s best to be as prepared.
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Take out your laptop. If you are traveling with a laptop, take it out of your packed bag and place it on the conveyor belt to be scanned. Smaller electronic items, like phones, Kindles, or small gaming systems, will not have to be removed from your bag in order to be scanned. If you are part of TSA Pre-Check, you do not need to remove your laptop from your bag.^{[12]
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U.S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols

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- Make sure to check your pockets to ensure you have not accidentally left your cellphone inside.
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Remove any liquids or gels from your bag(s). If you are planning to pack liquids or gels in your carry-on, they will need to be removed from your bag at security. Any liquids you’re traveling with must be in containers that are 3.4 fluid ounces (100 ml) or less; all the containers must fit inside one clear 1 US quart (0.95 L) plastic bag per passenger. For this reason, it’s called the 3-1-1 rule. If you bring containers of liquids containing more than 3.4 fluid ounces (100 ml), they may be confiscated by the TSA.^{[13]
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- Members of TSA Pre-Check do not need to remove liquids or gels from their bags.^{[14]
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  U.S. Transportation Security Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols
  
  Go to source}
- If you have any open bottles (like a water bottle or soda), you will be asked at this point to throw them out. You will be able to buy additional drinks after going through security.
- It is generally easiest to keep all your travel cosmetics in one gallon-sized Ziploc bag. That way, when you have to remove them for security, you don’t have to hunt down each bottle. Travel-sized cosmetics can be purchased at most pharmacies.
- Do not pack restricted items in your bag. It goes without saying that you will not be allowed to take anything dangerous onto the plane. But there are also non-dangerous items that you cannot pack in your carry-on. For the full list of items you can safely take on a plane, check the TSA website, as it is frequently updated.

Section 4 of 5:

Checking in at the Gate

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Find your gate number on your boarding pass or on the departure board. Once you have successfully made it through security, it’s time to find your plane. Check your boarding pass to see which gate your plane is departing from. Double-check this information on the departure boards that are just outside every security checkpoint. Once you have confirmed your gate number, head over in that direction.
- The departure flight board (also called the flight information display system, or FIDS) shows flight information and gate numbers for upcoming departures.
- Before you leave the security area, make sure that you have everything with you. You don’t want to accidentally leave a laptop or jacket behind.
- If you’re having trouble locating your gate, ask an airport employee for assistance.
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Stock up on food, drink, or any last-minute supplies you need. Many airlines no longer serve food on their flights. If you’re taking a long flight or traveling during a meal, buy some food and drink to take with you on the plane. Try to be considerate of your fellow travelers and don’t get anything too messy or smelly (like tuna or eggs).^{[15]
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- Now is a good time to use the restroom, so you’re all set for your flight.
Once you’ve located your gate, all that’s left to do is wait. If your flight is running late or is delayed due to weather or technical difficulties, you may be waiting a while. Pack something to help you pass the time and stay close to your gate area so you’ll be within earshot when it’s time to board.

Section 5 of 5:

Boarding the Plane

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Board the plane when your row is called. Those who board planes first usually include first-class, business-class, and any special travel program members, or can include those with children, people with disabilities, or veterans. Once you reach the plane, let the flight attendant know your seat number so they can show you where to go.^{[16]
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- By checking in early, you have a greater chance of boarding the plane before it gets too crowded. According to pilot Gary Baumgardner, “overhead bin space is limited real estate, especially on full flights, so boarding earlier often helps.” He confirms that “passengers are typically encouraged to stow smaller items under the seat in front of them.”^{[17]
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Question

How can I get through airport security faster?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Answer

You can always apply for TSA precheck on their website or via Global Entry. This will get you through airport security faster. Just remember to add your TSA precheck number to your reservation and boarding pass.

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Is a boarding pass the same thing as a ticket?

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No. A boarding pass let's you physically get onto the plane, but you have to purchase a ticket to be able to download your boarding pass.

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How soon before departure do I need to be at the airport?

Community Answer

It depends on the airline and airport, but usually about 2 hours in order to check in, drop off bags and clear security in time before the gate closes.

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