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To help ensure that your trip goes smoothly, please allow enough time for checking in and passing through security. When traveling around holidays or other peak travel times, additional time may be needed.
The Transportation Security Administration is currently requiring enhanced security measures for all flights departing from non-U.S. locations to the United States. We recommend that you ensure that any liquids, aerosols or gels that are included in your carry-on bags adhere to the restrictions currently in place. Visit the TSA Web site for details regarding these security measures.
Check-in Guidelines
The times below apply to flights operated by Continental, Continental Express, Continental Connection, United and United Express. For flights operated by another carrier, including our codeshare partners, the applicable check-in time limit for that carrier's flight will apply.
Continental has the right to cancel reservations, deny boarding and refuse the acceptance of checked baggage of any customer who does not meet their applicable check-in time limit.
Check-in is available starting 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Check in now.
Check-in and Boarding Requirements for Domestic Flights
For flights within the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, customers and their bags must meet the check-in and boarding requirements below. These requirements refer to the minimum amount of time before scheduled departure.
| Departure Airport | Check-in and baggage
check completed: | Available for boarding
at the gate: |
|---|
| Atlanta, GA (ATL) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Charlotte, NC (CLT) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Chicago, IL (ORD - O'Hare) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Cleveland, OH (CLE) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Denver, CO (DEN) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Guam (GUM) | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Houston, TX (IAH) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Indianapolis, IN (IND) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Kahului, Hawaii (OGG) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Kona, HI (KOA) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Las Vegas, NV (LAS) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Los Angeles, CA (LAX) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| New York, NY (JFK) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Newark, NJ (EWR) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Ontario, CA (ONT) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Orlando, FL (MCO) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Philadelphia, PA (PHL) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Portland, OR (PDX) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Reno, NV (RNO) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Sacramento, CA (SMF) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| San Francisco, CA (SFO) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| San Juan, PR (SJU) | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Seattle, WA (SEA) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (TPA) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Washington, D.C. - Dulles (IAD) | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| All other airports within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
The minimum check-in time requirement for customers not checking bags on flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is 30 minutes, except for Guam (GUM), which is 60 minutes.
Check-in and Boarding Requirements for International Flights
For international flights, customers and their bags must meet the check-in and boarding requirements below. These requirements refer to the minimum amount of time before scheduled departure.
| Departure Airport | Check-in and baggage
check completed: | Available for boarding
at the gate: |
|---|
Federated States of Micronesia,
Fiji, Marshall Islands, Palau:
- Koror (ROR)
- Kosrae (KSA)
- Kwajalein (KWA)
- Majuro (MAJ)
- Nadi (NAN)
- Pohnpei (PNI)
- Truk (TKK)
| 90 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Manila, Philippines (MNL) | 90 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Lima, Peru (LIM) | 75 minutes | 30 minutes |
| All other airports | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
Processing Times for United States Airports
As a result of heightened security measures, we suggest customers arrive at the airport early. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specified mandatory security measures, some local airport authorities have instituted additional measures above and beyond those requirements. All vehicles approaching the airports are subject to search on the approaching roadways and/ or the terminals. This may add to your airport processing times especially in our hubs at New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty), Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) and Cleveland, OH (CLE).
New metal detectors, which have been installed at various airports, are more sensitive. Your time is valuable, so to ensure a seamless security process, we suggest placing all metal items including jewelry in your carry-on luggage before getting to the checkpoint. Shoes containing any type of metal should be removed and placed in the bins provided at the checkpoint.
For tips to help save time at the airport and more information about the new security procedures, see the TSA Web site TSA Travel Tips Web site.
If you are departing during peak traffic hours, the listed approximate processing time should provide you with enough time to make your flight. Sunday afternoons, Friday afternoons and Monday mornings may require an additional half hour.
Peak traffic hours are:
- 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
| City/Airport Name |
Approximate Processing Time
During Peak Traffic Hours |
| Cleveland, OH (CLE) |
6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: 1 1/2 hours
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: 1 1/4 hours
3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: 1 1/4 hours |
| Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) |
6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: 1 to 1 1/2 hours
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: 1 hour
3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: 1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| New York/ Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty) |
6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: 1 1/2 hours
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: 1 1/2 hours
3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: 1 1/2 hours
Note: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays require 2 - 2 1/2 hours and all international departures require 2 1/2 3 hours. An additional 1/2 hour is required on Monday mornings. |
| Albany, NY (ALB) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) |
1 3/4 to 2 hours |
| Alexandria, LA (AEX) |
2 hours |
| Allentown/ Bethlehem, PA (ABE) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Amarillo, TX (AMA) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Anchorage, AK (ANC) |
2 hours |
| Asheville, NC (AVL) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Atlanta, GA (ATL) |
2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Austin, TX (AUS) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Baltimore, MD (BWI) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Baton Rouge, LA (BTR) |
2 hours |
| Birmingham, AL (BHM) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Boston, MA (BOS) |
2 hours |
| Buffalo, NY (BUF) |
1 3/4 hours |
| Burlington, VT (BTV) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Charleston, SC (CHS) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Charleston, WV (CRW) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Charlotte, NC (CLT) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Chicago, IL (ORD - O'Hare) |
2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Colorado Springs, CO (COS) |
2 hours |
| Columbus, OH (CMH) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Corpus Christi, TX (CRP) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Dayton, OH (DAY) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Denver, CO (DEN) |
2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Des Moines, IA (DSM) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Detroit, MI (DTW) |
1 1/2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 35 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| El Paso, TX (ELP) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Fayetteville, AR (XNA) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) |
2 hours |
| Fort Myers, FL (RSW) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Greensboro, NC (GSO) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Greenville/Spartanburg, SC (GSP) |
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Gulfport/Biloxi, MS (GPT) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Harlingen, TX (HRL) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Harrisburg, PA (MDT) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Hartford, CT (BDL) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Hayden/Steamboat Springs, CO (HDN) |
2 hours |
| Huntsville, AL (HSV) |
2 hours |
| Islip, NY (ISP) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Jackson, MS (JAN) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Jacksonville, FL (JAX) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Killeen, TX (GRK) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Knoxville, TN (TYS) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Lafayette, LA (LFT) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Lake Charles, LA (LCH) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Laredo, TX (LRD) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Las Vegas, NV (LAS) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Lexington, KY (LEX) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Little Rock, AR (LIT) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA (LAX) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Louisville, KY (SDF) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Lubbock, TX (LBB) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Madison, WI (MSN) |
1 3/4 hours |
| Manchester, NH (MHT) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| McAllen, TX (MFE) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Memphis, TN (MEM) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Miami, FL (MIA) |
1 1/2 - 2 hours |
| Midland/ Odessa, TX (MAF) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Milwaukee, WI (MKE) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Minneapolis, MN (MSP) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Montrose/Telluride, CO (MTJ) |
2 hours |
| Nantucket, MA (ACK) |
1 1/4 hours |
| Nashville, TN (BNA) |
1 3/4 hours |
| New Orleans, LA (MSY) |
1 3/4 hours |
| New York, NY (JFK) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| New York, NY (LGA - LaGuardia) |
2 hours |
| Norfolk, VA (ORF) |
2 hours |
| Oklahoma City, OK (OKC) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Omaha, NE (OMA) |
1 1/4 hours |
| Ontario, CA (ONT) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Orange County, CA (SNA) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Orlando, FL (MCO) |
1 3/4 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Palm Springs, CA (PSP) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA (PHL) |
2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Phoenix, AZ (PHX) |
2 hours |
| Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) |
2 hours |
| Portland, ME (PWM) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Portland, OR (PDX) |
2 hours |
| Providence, RI (PVD) |
2 hours |
| Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) |
2 hours |
| Reno, NV (RNO) |
1 1/2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Rochester, NY (ROC) |
2 hours |
| Sacramento, CA (SMF) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) |
1 1/2 hours |
| San Antonio, TX (SAT) |
1 1/2 hours |
| San Diego, CA (SAN) |
2 hours |
| San Francisco, CA (SFO) |
1 1/2 hours
Note: The baggage acceptance cut off time at the Ticket Counter is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| San Jose, CA (SJC) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Sarasota, FL (SRQ) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| Savannah, GA (SAV) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Seattle, WA (SEA) |
2 hours |
| St. Louis, MO (STL) |
2 hours |
| Syracuse, NY (SYR) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Tampa, FL (TPA) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Tucson, AZ (TUS) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Tulsa, OK (TUL) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Vail/ Eagle, CO (EGE) |
2 hours |
| Victoria, TX (VCT) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Washington, DC (IAD - Dulles) |
2 hours |
| Washington, DC (DCA - National) |
2 hours |
| Columbia, SC (CAE) |
1 to 1 1/2 hours |
| West Palm Beach, FL (PBI) |
2 hours |
| Wichita, KS (ICT) |
2 hours |
Processing Times for Airports Outside the United States
For most cities/regions outside the U.S., the approximate airport processing time is three hours. The following cities/regions are exceptions:
| City/Airport/Region Name |
Approximate Processing Time
During Peak Traffic Hours |
| Aguascalientes, Mexico (AGU) |
1 1/4 hours |
| Antigua (ANU) |
2 hours |
| Belize City, Belize (BZE) |
2 hours |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) |
4 hours |
| Caracas, Venezuela (CCS) |
3 hours
Note: The check-in cut-off time at the ticket counter is 90 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight.
|
| Chihuahua, Mexico (CUU) |
2 hours |
| Geneva, Switzerland (GVA) |
2 hours |
| Grand Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands (GCM) |
2 hours |
| Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) |
2 hours |
| Halifax, NS Canada (YHZ) |
2 hours |
| Ixtapa/ Zihuatanejo, Mexico (ZIH) |
2 hours |
| Leon/ Bajio, Guanajuato, Mexico (BJX) |
2 hours |
| Lima, Peru (LIM) |
2.5 hours
Note: The check-in cut-off time at the ticket counter is 75 minutes before the scheduled departure of each flight. |
| Managua, Nicaragua (MGA) |
2 hours |
| Mazatlan, Mexico (MZT) |
1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) |
2 hours |
| Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) |
2 hours |
| Quebec City, PQ Canada (YQB) |
2 hours |
| Roatan, Honduras (RTB) |
2 hours |
| Saltillo, Mexico (SLW) |
1 1/2 hours |
| San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (SJD) |
2 hours |
| San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) |
2 1/2 hours |
| San Juan, PR (SJU) |
2 hours |
| San Luis Potosi, Mexico (SLP) |
1 1/2 hours |
| San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP) |
2 hours |
| San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL) |
2 hours |
| Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ) |
2 hours |
| St. John's, NL Canada (YYT) |
2 hours |
| St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles (SXM) |
2 hours |
| Tampico, Mexico (TAM) |
2 hours |
| Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU) |
2 hours |
| Torreon, Mexico (TRC) |
2 1/2 hours |
| Veracruz, Mexico (VER) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Villahermosa, Mexico (VSA) |
1 1/2 hours |
| Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) |
2 hours |
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