Lufthansa·Star Alliance
Lufthansa Check-in Times & Boarding Cutoffs
Lufthansa Check-in Times & Boarding Cutoffs — Summary
When Lufthansa check-in opens, airport and bag drop cutoffs for domestic and international flights, and how early the gate closes.
Key Travel Facts & Insights
- When online check-in opens: 23 hours before departure — one hour earlier than most carriers..
- Domestic airport cutoff: 30 minutes before departure within Germany..
- International airport cutoff: 60 minutes before departure for transatlantic..
- Bag drop deadline: 60 minutes before long-haul departure.
When online check-in opens
23 hours before departure — one hour earlier than most carriers.
Domestic airport cutoff
30 minutes before departure within Germany.
International airport cutoff
60 minutes before departure for transatlantic.
Bag drop deadline
60 minutes before long-haul departure. Frankfurt is a very large airport with lengthy security and passport queues.
Boarding and gate closure
Gates close 20 minutes before departure. Frankfurt gate changes are common and the walk between concourses can exceed 20 minutes — do not cut it fine.
Doing it in the app
lufthansa.com and the Lufthansa app handle changes, seat selection and refund requests.
Lufthansa check-in & boarding — common questions
When does Lufthansa check-in open?
23 hours before departure — one hour earlier than most carriers.
How early do I need to be at the airport for Lufthansa?
Domestic: 30 minutes before departure within Germany. International: 60 minutes before departure for transatlantic. Bags: 60 minutes before long-haul departure. Frankfurt is a very large airport with lengthy security and passport queues.
How long before departure does the Lufthansa gate close?
Gates close 20 minutes before departure. Frankfurt gate changes are common and the walk between concourses can exceed 20 minutes — do not cut it fine.
More Lufthansa help
Booking Lufthansa? Talk to a US travel consultant.
Fare rules, baggage allowances and change policies differ by route and fare brand. Our consultants confirm the exact terms attached to your itinerary before you pay — and handle the change or refund if plans move.