American Airlines Check-in Policy, Time & Rules: Domestic & International

12 min readAug 10, 2021

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.

Call American Airlines helpline number:

Call American Airlines to change your reservation with a representative over the phone.

Talk to a real person and get a human at American Airlines:

To contact American Airlines, you can dial (US & Canada), or (800) AMERICANAIRLINES 633–3711 for Spanish assistance) if you want to speak with an agent
If you require assistance with your current reservation-related inquiry, please press 1.
content: If you would like to make a new reservation, press 2
Afterward, press 3 to ask for assistance regarding luggage or check-in service for flights.
Now you can press the 7 to reach an American Airlines representative who can help you directly.

American Airlines Voice Menu

Chat with the live agents:

Live chat is the quickest way to connect to the support team of American Airlines or how do I talk to a live person at American Airlines.

You can chat with the live agents of this airline to get their help. To opt for this method, you need to go to the official website and then you can write down the query in the chatbox. They will come online as soon as they read your message. This is the quickest method by which you can get the help of live agents. They will be available round the clock for the passengers. you can now call them anytime to get the best aid from them.

Use email service:

American Airlines accepts the emails that you use to send your queries through this platform ingeniously. Email service is the easiest way to connect to the support team of American Airlines using its email ID to send emails to the clients and it can be used when you are unable to reach them via phone call.

Use social media services:

If you want to share your important queries with a live person, you can utilize Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook and get the appropriate solution at the same platform instantly, and thus, you can get through to American Airlines customer service comfortably.

This is the answer to the question, “How do I get through to American Airlines?” We hope that you have understood the methods of connecting with the live agents.

Can I text American Airlines?

To get help, you can contact us at any time from your mobile phone by sending a text message with the word “HELP” to (447950080989). … You agree to provide American Airlines with a valid mobile number. You agree that we may send you text messages through your wireless provider.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.
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 which is www.aa.com.
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.
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

If the AA website says check-in is open for your flight but you still can’t check in then it may be:

(a) It is an international flight and you have not entered your passport information.

(b) If you are flying to the USA and are not the US or Canadian citizen, then your visa info is not up to date. If you are relying on an ESTA, check it is valid on the CBP ESTA website.

(d) Your ticket has not been issued properly. Call AA immediately and get them to issue the ticket, or contact your travel agent to get the ticket issued.

(e) If it’s a codeshare flight, check-in with the operating carrier, not AA.

If your flight is operated by another airline (a so-called Code Share flight), then call AA and ask for the record locator of your reservation with the other airline. Most times you can then go to the website of the operating airline, check in online (at T-24 hours), or select/change your seats.
If it is an international flight, and you don’t have your current passport info in your profile or added this to your reservation well before check in, then you will have to check in at the airport every time during this trip. It happened to me last week, where I’d made the reservation and added my passport number before I got my new passport. My passport info got rejected at check-in via the app, and I had to check in at the airport both for the outbound trip as well as for the return.
If you need a visa for your destination country, you will often have to check in in-person. In order to be very sure that the country will admit you, AA’s process wants to have your visa information attached to your record before you are issued a boarding pass. This also can happen if you are a dual national of your departure and destination country. AA’s system allows you to list only 1 passport. If you enter your destination country using another passport, AA manually, at check-in, must check your eligibility to enter. (This used to happen to me all the time flying from the US to Brazil. AA has my US passport info on-file, but I’d use my European passport to enter because I didn’t need a visa that way. This is no longer needed now Brazil removed visa requirements for US passport holders for short visits.)
You may be on one of the watch lists. This doesn’t mean that you are a terrorist, but it simply means that there’s someone with a similar name who is of interest to the government. When you check in at the airport, you will see SSSS on your boarding pass. If this happens more than once without any reason, you can apply for a Redress Number that you can add to future reservations.
There are a few overseas airports that don’t allow electronic boarding passes. CCS may be one of them, and until recently BOG also required a printed boarding pass.
If none of the above is the case, then call AA and ask them why you cannot check in online.
Last, don’t stress out about this. Checking in via the kiosk at the airport is very quick and doesn’t add any time. And if you are in the upgrade list and the upgrade hasn’t cleared before T-24, check-in time won’t affect your position on the list for a “battlefield” (=gate) upgrade.

American Airlines AA Check-in Specific Details And Rules

American has specific details and rules on online check-in, but basically, you can check-in up to 24 hours in advance and until 45 minutes before departure (for U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands airports) or 90 minutes for all other airports (international flights).

If you are checking in and checking bags at the airport, you must be there no less than 45 minutes before departure time for domestic flights and no less than an hour before departure time for international flights. Selected airports (such as Dublin, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Maracaibo, and St. Thomas) have different check-in times (typically 75 or 90 minutes before departure). If you are flying out of airports outside the United States, it is a good idea to double-check the time frame for online and airport check-in.

If you are flying on an American Airlines codeshare partner, it’s important to note that the check-in times for that partner are the ones that govern the situation.

Originally published at https://aviationrepublic.com on August 10, 2021.