Rules for American Airlines flight check-in

You can make American Airlines Check in online or using the mobile app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before departure of the first flight in your itinerary. This applies even if you have a connecting flight that’s more than a day away. Note that online and app check-in closes an hour and a half before departure for international flights.

If you’re planning to check bags at the airport, you need to have the bags checked at least 45 minutes prior to domestic flights and 60 minutes prior to international flights. There are some airports with exceptions to this rule, which you can find on AA’s website.

If the first flight of your itinerary is operated by an American Airlines partner, you’re going to check in with that airline directly, and not on AA’s website.

Now check in directly for an American flight from the comfort of your home/office. Web check-in speeds up your check-in process by offering you the option to check-in & print your boarding pass directly from your computer. In addition to this, the e-Boarding pass will also be sent to your email address by the respective airline.

Web Check-in also allows you to check in your luggage in advance, select your seat, meal options (if available), and many more, before you depart for the flight. To avail American web check-in facility

American Airlines allows you to check in for your flight:

  1. Online
  2. Through the mobile app
  3. At the airports:
    1. Curbside
    2. Kiosk
    3. Counter

American Airlines Check-in Time

How long before my flight must I check-in?

American Airlines Check-in desks will open anywhere between four hours and ninety minutes before a flight’s departure time. The rule of thumb here is to allow three hours before an international flight, two before a European flight, and ninety minutes before a domestic flight.

  1. Online Check-in Time 
    • Domestic Flights. From 24 hours to 45 minutes before your flight’s departure.
    • International Flights. From 24 hours to 90 minutes before your flight departs. The following airports may have earlier check-in times.
  2. Mobile App Check–in Time 
    • Domestic Flights. You can check in with your mobile app from 24 hours to 45 minutes before your flight’s departure.
    • International Flights. You can check in with your mobile app from 24 hours to 90 minutes before your flight’s departure. The following airports may have earlier check-in times.
  3. Curbside Check-in Time—Starting and Closing: 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
    • Domestic Flights. You can check in at the airport’s curbside at many U.S. airports from 4 hours to 45 minutes before your flight’s departure.
    • International Flights. You can check in at the airport’s curbside at many U.S. airports from 4 hours to 90 minutes before your flight’s departure. The following airports may have earlier check-in times.

Curbside check-in is free: You can only use the curbside check-in option: If you have an e-ticket, you will be paying your baggage fee with a credit card

For curbside check-in, you will need: Your photo ID, Any one of the following

Your e-ticket number, Your confirmation number, Your AAdvantage number, or Your destination

If the curbside check-in is closed: Use a self-service machine inside the airport, or Go to the ticket counter

  1. Airport Kiosk Check-in Time: Yes, you can 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.

Domestic Flights. You will be able to check-in at the airport’s self-service kiosk at most U.S. airports from 24 hours (Miami: 5 hours) to 45 minutes before your flight’s departure.

International Flights. You can check-in at the airport’s self-service kiosk at most U.S. airports from24 hours(Miami: 5 hours) to 90 minutes before your flight’s departure. The following airports may have earlier check-in times.

  1. Airport Ticket Counter Check-in Time: 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.
    1. Domestic Flights. You will be able to check in at the airport’s ticket counter at most U.S. airports from 4 hours to 45 minutes before your flight’s departure.
    2. International Flights. You can check in from the airport’s ticket counter at most U.S. airports from 4 hours to 90 minutes before your flight’s departure. The following airports may have earlier check-in times.

American Airlines Online Check-in

  • American Airlines lets you check in through its mobile app or website.
  • If you check in online through the American Airlines official website app, then generate a digital boarding pass within your mobile wallet.
  • First step is to choose the online check-in option where you fill your name and your six-digit confirmation number.
  • Then by selecting ‘check-in’ on the left corner your check in process will start.
  • Then you agree to the materials policy and you can also purchase additional miles for your trip.
  • Then you can select or modify your seat on the plane.
  • When you are done selecting your seat, visit baggage check in section and pay baggage fees.
  • Then you have an option of printing your boarding pass, emailing it on your phone or you can also save a PDF of your boarding pass.

 American Airlines (AA) mobile check-in?

You can 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 mobile 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

American Airlines Other Check-In Tips

  • You may not be able to check in online if your first flight is not on American or if you’re traveling on a military fare, with a pet, or with an oxygen container.
  • Once you’ve checked in, you can check your luggage at the airport at the curbside check-in or at the American Airlines checked-baggage counter (different from the check-in counter).
  • In selected airports, such as Fort Lauderdale (FLL); Las Vegas (LAS); Orlando (MCO); Seattle (SEA); Denver (DEN); Portland, Oregon (PDX); and Salt Lake City (SLC), baggage can only be accepted four hours or less before the departure time of the flight.
  • When you are arriving on an international flight, you will be required to retrieve your baggage at the first point within the United States and go through Customs. It’s important to leave enough time for this process when you book if you have a connecting flight.

Tips and tricks to checking in for American Airlines flights

  • There are some things to consider when you check in for your flight. Make sure you have your confirmation number handy, especially if you’re going to check in at the airport. The kiosks default to ask for that code, so this can save time.
  • I personally prefer to use mobile boarding passes to save paper and have one less thing to worry about misplacing. That said, you need to be sure you have your phone’s battery charged for the entire trip, otherwise you’ll be forced to get a physical boarding pass.
  • There are some things to consider when you check in for your flight. Make sure you have your confirmation number handy, especially if you’re going to check in at the airport. The kiosks default to ask for that code, so this can save time.
  • I personally prefer to use mobile boarding passes to save paper and have one less thing to worry about misplacing. That said, you need to be sure you have your phone’s battery charged for the entire trip, otherwise you’ll be forced to get a physical boarding pass.
  • Lastly, if you get an error checking in online, fear not. You may be on a military fare, have a pet or are traveling with an unaccompanied minor. Or you may be subject to the dreaded SSSS, which will be printed on your boarding pass at the airport.

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

See also – American Airlines Change Fee! American Airlines Cancellation Policy