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Airport Processing Times

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 Liberty (EWR - Liberty), Houston/ George Bush Intercontinental (IAH - Intercontinental) and Cleveland Hopkins International (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.

The average time required from entering an airport terminal within the U.S. to boarding our aircraft is approximately one hour. A selection of airports that currently require more than one hour during peak traffic hours is available below. In general, Continental check-in cut off time is 30 minutes for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights. Exceptions to this general rule can be found in the Contract of Carriage.

For tips to help save time at the airport and more information about the new security procedures, see the TSA Web site www.TSATravelTips.us.

Using eTickets and airport kiosks to check-in for your domestic flights will reduce your airport processing time. eService Center check-in kiosks are located before and/or after security checkpoints in most U.S. airports.

If you are departing during peak traffic hours, the listed approximate processing time should provide you with ample time to make your flight. Sunday afternoons, Friday afternoons and Monday mornings may require an additional half hour.

Peak traffic hours are:

• 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
• 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Aircraft Boarding Time Limit (United States)

Continental Airlines is committed to meet strict federal requirements for checked baggage and passenger check-in procedures at all U.S. airports.

Customers checking in for flights must present themselves at the gate, ready to board their flight, no later than 15 minutes prior to departure, even if they have checked in previously. Customers not in the boarding area 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure are subject to seat cancellation and non-transport of their checked baggage.

To speed check-in at all three of its U.S. hubs, Continental has taken steps to reduce waiting times by significantly increasing the number of security checkpoints. In addition, the airline has bolstered its extensive network of automated check-in kiosks throughout the U.S., allowing customers to check-in, obtain boarding passes and avoid lines at ticket counters.

Here are some tips to ensure a stress-free airport experience:

• Allow more than enough time to check-in and walk to the gate. Some airports may require as much as 2 1/2 hours for passenger processing.
• Whenever possible, check-in and obtain boarding passes at one of Continental's convenient eService Centers, available at over 100 airports across the nation.
• Remember, federal law prohibits carrying sharp or other dangerous objects, which could be used as weapons, aboard the aircraft. Pack appropriately to avoid inconvenience at security checkpoints.
• Please be patient. Passengers are randomly selected for more thorough security screening at various points in the check-in process.
• Presidents Club members may no longer clear the security check-point without a boarding pass. Presidents Club members must check-in either at an eService Center (eTickets only) or with a Continental representative to obtain a boarding pass on the day of departure.

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: