American Airlines: Check-in Policy – SeatGuru

How can I check in for my American Airlines (AA) flight?

You may check-in for your American Airlines (AA), including American Eagle and Envoy Air, flight with the following options:

• Online check-in (Web check-in)
• Mobile check-in
• Curbside check-in at the airport
• Self-service kiosk check-in at the airport
• Ticket counter check-in at the airport

Does American Airlines (AA) have online web check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight online starting 24 hours and ending 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) to receive a mobile boarding pass on your mobile device or a printable boarding pass. You may use this option if:

• you have an electronic ticket and the first flight is on American Airlines (AA)
• you may access your reservation with your confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account
• you are not a special needs passenger (for example an unaccompanied minor or traveling with a pet)
• you are not traveling on a military fare
• the first flight of the itinerary is codeshare operated by British Airways, Iberia, or Japan Airlines

Can I check bags with the American Airlines (AA) online web check-in?: No, you must check bags at the airport via cubside check-in, kiosk, or the check-in counter before the check-in deadline for your flight.

Can I pay bag fees with the American Airlines (AA) online web check-in?: No

Can I select or change my seat with the American Airlines (AA) online web check-in?: Yes

Does American Airlines (AA) offer mobile check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight with your mobile device starting 24 hours and ending 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) to receive a mo-bile boarding pass on your mobile device. You may use this option if:

• you have an electronic ticket and the first flight is on American Airlines (AA)
• you may access your reservation with your confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account
• you are not a special needs passenger (for example, an unaccompanied minor)
• you are not traveling on a military fare
• you are departing from an airport which accepts mobile boarding passes (if not, then you may check-in and print a boarding pass at the self-service kiosk or ticket counter).
• you are not traveling with an infant (a printed boarding pass is required)
• the first flight of the itinerary is codeshare operated by British Airways, Iberia, or Japan Airlines

Does American Airlines (AA) offer curbside check-in? (US Carriers only)

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight curbside at most U S airport locations from 45 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination). You will need your photo ID and also your flight reservation code, flight number destination, or electronic ticket number to check-in. Please check American Airlines (AA) website for an exact list of participating airports

Does American Airlines (AA) offer self-service kiosk check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight at the airport self-service kiosk from 45 minutes to 24 hours (5 hours for Miami) before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags with the American Airlines (AA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees with the American Airlines (AA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the American Airlines (AA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Does American Airlines (AA) offer ticket counter check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight at the airport ticket counter from 45 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags at the American Airlines (AA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees at the American Airlines (AA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat at the American Airlines (AA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Does American Airlines (AA) charge a fee for a seat assignment?

American Airlines (AA) does not charge a fee for selecting a standard seat assignment.

When do I need to check-in for my American Airlines (AA) flight?

The minimum time to check-in for an American Airlines (AA) flight is:

• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for U S domestic flights
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

When do I need to arrive at the airport for my American Airlines (AA) flight?

Suggested arrival time before scheduled departure time:

• 1 hour for US domestic flights if not checking baggage
• 1.5 hours for US domestic flights if checking baggage
• 2 hours for international flights to/from the US, and flights departing Hawaii and the U S Virgin Islands
• 2.5 hours for flights departing Honolulu
• 3 hours for flights departing Canada, the Caribbean islands, Central America, France, Ireland, Mexico, Nassau, South America, and Spain
• 3.5 hours for flights departing Bogota, Colombia
• 4 hours for flights departing Montevideo, Uruguay

Minimum required check-in time with carry-on baggage:

• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for most US domestic flights
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

Minimum required check-in time with checked baggage:

• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights from hubs and heavy traffic airports listed on AA.com
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US and departing St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
• 75 minutes before scheduled departure time for flights from Buenos Aires and Dublin
• 90 minutes before scheduled departure time for flights from Caracas and Maracaibo

When do I need to be at the boarding gate?

Boarding closes at the following times for American Airlines (AA) flights:

• 15 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US