How early to arrive: quick guide
| Your trip | Arrive at the airport |
|---|---|
| Domestic, carry-on only, TSA PreCheck | About 1 h 30 min before |
| Domestic, checking a bag | 2 hours before |
| Domestic, big hub at peak time or holiday week | 2 h 30 min – 3 hours before |
| International | 3 hours before |
| International, holiday week | 3 h 30 min before |
| Small regional airport, no bags | About 1 hour – 1 h 30 min before |
Airline check-in, bag and boarding cut-offs
| Domestic (US) | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in & bag drop closes | 45 minutes before (Delta: 30 min if no bags) | 60 minutes before |
| Be at the gate | 15–30 minutes before | 45 minutes before |
| Boarding door closes | About 15 minutes before | About 15–20 minutes before |
Miss the bag cut-off and you may be moved to a later flight, even if the plane is still at the gate. Online check-in does not change the bag deadline.
REAL ID and the $45 TSA ConfirmID fee
Since May 2025, adults need a REAL ID (look for the star on your license) or another accepted ID, such as a US passport, passport card or Global Entry card, to fly within the US. Since February 1, 2026, travelers without one must pay a $45 TSA ConfirmID fee online at pay.gov before security to try to verify their identity. Verification isn’t guaranteed, and if it works it covers 10 days of travel. Leave extra time if this applies to you, or get a REAL ID before your trip.
Flying during the holidays
Add at least 30 minutes during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. The Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 29, 2026) is likely to be the busiest day of the year at TSA checkpoints. See the busiest travel days for 2026. Security lines are also busiest from about 5 to 8 a.m. on any day, so early-morning flights still need the full 2 hours.
Airport checklist
- REAL ID or passport in your hand, not in your checked bag
- Liquids in carry-ons: 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less per container, all in one quart-size bag (TSA 3-1-1 rule)
- Boarding pass on your phone, plus a screenshot in case the app won’t load
- Airline app installed for gate changes and delays
- Pie and cranberry sauce? Solid foods are fine in carry-ons; spreadable or liquid foods over 3.4 oz must be checked
Questions
How early should I get to the airport for a domestic flight?
Two hours before departure is the standard advice from TSA and the big US airlines. With TSA PreCheck and no checked bag, about 90 minutes is usually fine on a normal day.
How early should I get to the airport for an international flight?
Three hours before departure. Check-in and bag drop usually close 60 minutes before international flights.
Is 1 hour before a flight enough?
Usually not. Bag drop closes 45 minutes before most domestic flights, leaving almost no time for security.
Can I fly without a REAL ID in 2026?
Only with another accepted ID such as a passport, or by paying the $45 TSA ConfirmID fee to try to verify your identity, which isn’t guaranteed.