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Airline Travel Information

Review the latest FAA, airport, and airline guidelines to help ensure smooth airport check-in and safe air travel.

Airport Check-In Tips

  • Arrive at the airport a minimum of 2 hours before scheduled flight departure for domestic flights (3 hours for international flights). It is recommended that all passengers check in at the airline ticket counters.
  • All passengers must have a government-issued photo ID.
  • Security checkpoints require proof of travel. Traveler must present either a paper ticket or proof of e-ticketing, along with proper identification.
  • Individuals without a ticket will not be allowed beyond the security checkpoint. Provisions will be made for parents who need to meet unaccompanied minors, for disabled persons and persons with special needs who need to be accompanied by healthcare assistants or guardians, and for medical personnel who need to respond to a medical emergency beyond the checkpoint.

Passport Requirements

Effective January 23, 2007 - All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central or South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. Learn more »

At the Gate

Keep your ticket paperwork and identification on hand and readily available. Also, keep your possessions with you at all times. Expect to see law- enforcement personnel and dogs; expect to see teams of individuals board the aircraft before general passenger boarding in order to sweep the aircraft as an added security precaution.

Prohibited Travel Items

Knives, box cutters and corkscrews, baseball bats, bows and arrows, brass knuckles, bullwhips, cattle prods, golf clubs, hockey sticks, ski poles, straight razors and razor blades not in a cartridge, meat cleavers, large heavy tools like wrenches and pliers, dog repellent spray, ammunition, lighters, martial arts weapons, pool cues, guns, explosives, flammable items, and toy guns are not permitted through the security checkpoints.

Now Acceptable

Tweezers, small nail clippers, nail files, safety razors, scissors less than 4 inches, and eyelash curlers are now off the prohibited list.

A list of permitted and prohibited items

The below document outlines items that are permitted and items that are prohibited in your carry-on or checked baggage. The list is provided by the Transportation Security Administration.

E-Tickets

Check with your airline to determine what ticket documentation (tickets, boarding passes or reservation confirmations) screeners require. Requirements may vary by airline, so passengers should check with the airline in advance if you are holding an electronic ticket.

Guidelines for Check-In — Airline Specific

As of January 18, 2002 most major airlines have reaffirmed their commitment to meet new requirements to screen all checked baggage at U.S. airports. The new guidelines comply with the requirements of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (enacted November 19, 2001), which requires 100 percent baggage screening. The law requires explosive detection systems to be deployed at U.S. airports as soon as possible for use on all checked baggage but no later than December 31, 2002. Prior to that date, the law requires alternative means for screening any piece of checked baggage that is not screened by an explosive detection system.

Please review the latest check-in guidelines below for your airline.

America West

Passengers should check the status of their flight before arriving at the airport. Call America West at 1-800-247-5691 or consult the America West web site.

Passengers checking bags should arrive at the airport 60 to 90 minutes before their departure time. E-ticketed passengers not checking bags may arrive 45 to 60 minutes before their flight. International check-in is three hours prior to departure. During busy holiday periods, travelers should plan to arrive 30-60 minutes earlier. Any check-in exceptions are noted on www.americawest.com. 

Passengers must be checked in and at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Passengers who are not at the boarding gate 30 minutes prior to departure are subject to having their reservations canceled, seats released, and checked baggage removed from the flight.

American

Recommended check-in time for wholly U.S. domestic travel is 2 hours. For most other travel (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) recommended check-in time is 3 hours.  Some international airports can have a recommended check-in time of up to 4 hours.  Passengers traveling to/from international destinations should verify the recommended check-in time.

Passengers should check the status of their flight before arriving at the airport. Call the American flight status line at 1-800-223-5436 or consult the American web site.

Passengers must be checked in and at the boarding gate no later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Passengers whoare not at the boarding gate 15 minutes prior to departure are subject to having their reservations canceled, seats released, and checked baggage removed from the flight.

Continental

Passengers should check the status of their flight before arriving at the airport. Call the Continental flight status line at 1-800-784-4444 or consult the Continental web site.

Although 90 minutes to 2 hours is typically enough check-in time for domestic flights, Continental publishes a suggested check-in time for all domestic airports on the web under the customer advisories link. Passengers should be aware that due to heavy passenger volume flight check-in may not be available more than two hours prior to departure and passengers may be asked to wait in the lobby until a boarding card can be issued.

All tickets must be purchased at least 30 minutes prior to flight departure.

Passengers must be checked in and at the boarding gate no later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Passengers who are not at the boarding gate 15 minutes prior to departure are subject to having their reservations canceled, seats released, and checked baggage removed from the flight.

Delta

Passengers should re-confirm their flights with Delta online or by calling 1-800-325-1999 before arriving at the airport.

Passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before the departure of their scheduled flight for domestic and International travel.

Delta will no longer accept checked baggage at ticket counters or curbside locations less than 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. You can check estimated peak and off-peak wait times for curbside check-in, ticket counters, and security check points at approximately 115 airports, including those in the U.S, San Juan, St. Thomas, Aruba, Bermuda, Nassau, and Grand Cayman, at the Delta web site.

Passengers must be checked in and at the boarding gate no later than 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure for domestic travel and 45 minutes prior for International travel. Passengers who are not at the boarding gate 20 minutes prior to departure for domestic and 45 minutes prior for International are subject to having their reservations canceled, seats released, and checked baggage removed from the flight.

Northwest

Passengers should check the status of their flight and verify their reservation before arriving at the airport. Call the Northwest/KLM flight status line at 1-800-441-1818 or consult the Northwest web site.

Passengers are to arrive at the airport 75 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and120 minutes in advance for International flights.

Seat assignments on domestic flights are subject to be canceled 20 minutes prior to departure. If a passenger has not checked-in, unclaimed reservations are subject to cancellation 10 minutes prior to departure.

Southwest

Passengers should check the status of their flight before arriving at the airport. Call Southwest at 1- 800-435-9792 or consult the Southwest web site.

Passengers should arrive at the airport at between 1-2 hours before an U.S. domestic flight. Check-in times vary by city. To determine check-in time for your departure city, call Southwest at 1-800-435-9792 or consult the Southwest web site.

Passengers must be checked in and at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights. Passengers who are not at the boarding gate 30 minutes prior to departure are subject to having their reservations canceled, seats released, and checked baggage removed from the flight.

United

Passengers should check the status of their flight and verify their reservation before arriving at the airport. Call the United flight status line at 1-800-824-6200 or consult the United web site.

Passengers should arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before an U.S. domestic flight and about three hours before an International flight. Although United is doing everything it can to limit the impact on passengers, some security check lines may increase due to the greater volumes of passengers who decide to carry on bags.

Seat assignments may be released if a passenger does not check-in and board the aircraft within the following time limits: Domestic USA flights, 20 minutes; Hawaii / Canada / Mexico flights, 30 minutes; International (except above), 45 minutes

US Airways

Passengers should check the status of their flight and verify their reservation before arriving at the airport. Call the US Airways flight status line at 1-800-943-5436 or consult the US Airways web site.

Passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before an U.S. domestic flight and about three hours before an International flight.

Passengers must be checked in and at the boarding gate no later than 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights and 45 minutes for International flights. Passengers who are not at the boarding gate 10 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and 30 minutes for International are subject to having their reservations canceled, seats released, and checked baggage removed from the flight.

On-Board the Aircraft

Expect to see random searches of service personnel, flight crews, and equipment. Be patient if your departure is delayed. Passenger boarding and baggage loading are being carefully coordinated by the ground handling crew.

Upon Arrival At Your Destination

Have your luggage receipts available when retrieving luggage for verification.

Travel Advisories

For the most current aviation update and travel advisory information please visit www.faa.gov. Specific information about Sea-Tac Airport: www.portseattle.org/seatac

1-800-430-9001AAA travel agents can assist you by phone 7 days a week.

Links to Major Airline Carriers
Alaska Airlines
America West
American Airlines
American Trans Air
AirTran
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
U.S. Airways