Southwest Airlines·None
Southwest Check-in Times & Boarding Cutoffs
Southwest Check-in Times & Boarding Cutoffs — Summary
When Southwest 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: 24 hours before departure.
- Domestic airport cutoff: 30 minutes before departure at most airports..
- International airport cutoff: 60 minutes before departure..
- Bag drop deadline: 45 minutes before domestic departure, 60 minutes internationally..
When online check-in opens
24 hours before departure. With assigned seating this matters far less than it did under the old boarding-position scramble.
Domestic airport cutoff
30 minutes before departure at most airports.
International airport cutoff
60 minutes before departure.
Bag drop deadline
45 minutes before domestic departure, 60 minutes internationally.
Boarding and gate closure
Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure. Doors close 10 minutes before departure — earlier than the 15-minute industry norm, and a common cause of missed flights for travellers used to other carriers.
Doing it in the app
The Southwest app handles changes, cancellations and credits cleanly. Because there is no change fee, self-service rebooking is genuinely usable rather than a route to a penalty.
Southwest check-in & boarding — common questions
When does Southwest check-in open?
24 hours before departure. With assigned seating this matters far less than it did under the old boarding-position scramble.
How early do I need to be at the airport for Southwest?
Domestic: 30 minutes before departure at most airports. International: 60 minutes before departure. Bags: 45 minutes before domestic departure, 60 minutes internationally.
How long before departure does the Southwest gate close?
Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure. Doors close 10 minutes before departure — earlier than the 15-minute industry norm, and a common cause of missed flights for travellers used to other carriers.
More Southwest help
Booking Southwest? 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.