There are some good reasons why you might want to check your bags for a flight early, including, so you can leave the airport and explore the city before your flight.
But just how early will airlines allow you to check your bags in for a flight?
Generally, you are able to check your bags in 4 hours before your scheduled departure time for international flights, and 3 hours before your flight departs for domestic flights.
However, it can vary by airline, as well by airport, with larger airports having more airline agents available all day and night to check in your bags.
The Earliest You Can Check in Your Bag – By Airline
Here is how early you can check your bags in with the major U.S. airlines.
Alaska Airlines: You can check your bags in 4 hours before your scheduled departure.
American Airlines: You can check your bags in 4 hours before your scheduled departure.
Delta Air Lines: You can check your bags in 6 hours before your scheduled departure.
Frontier: You can check your bags in 2 hours before your scheduled departure.
JetBlue: You can check your bags in 6 hours before your scheduled departure.
Southwest Airlines: You can check your bags in 4 hours before your scheduled departure.
Spirit Airlines: You can check your bags in 4 hours before your scheduled departure.
United: You can check your bags in 4 hours before your scheduled departure.
Earliest Bag Check in Times For Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
In Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, you will be able to check in your bags approximately 2-4 hours before your scheduled departure time.
However, this can vary.
For example, if you are flying out of Heathrow terminals 3 and 5 with British Airways, you can drop your bags off as early as between 4pm and 10pm for flights that depart before 10am.
If you are flying with Air France out of Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport from terminal 2E, you can drop your bags off between 4pm and 10pm for flights that are scheduled to depart within 24 hours.
Generally, the more major the airline is and the larger the airport you are flying out of, the earlier you will be able to check in your bags.
Storing Your Luggage At the Airport
If you are unable to check your bags in as early as you like, you might be wondering if you can store your luggage at the airport instead.
If you’re staying at a hotel, you can store your luggage with them.
But if you’re staying in an Airbnb, this is unlikely, and it’s doubtful that you want to lug your luggage while you explore the city before your flight.
While it isn’t common, some airports do have lockers that enable passengers to store their luggage at the airport.
We recommend contacting the airport you are flying out of, so you can find out if they have any luggage facilities available.
Make sure that you bring photo ID, know the daily and hourly rates, and if the luggage facilities are located in the airport itself or elsewhere.
The Earliest You Can Go Through Airport Security For a Flight
If you have checked luggage, you will only want to go through airport security once you have checked in your bag.
This means that if you’re checking in a bag, you can go through airport security 4-6 hours before your flight, depending on when the airline allows you to check in your bag.
If you aren’t checking in a bag and only have a carry on, you can go through airport security earlier, though it will depend on the country and on an airport-to-airport basis.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
