You can check-in for your United Airlines flight:
- Online check-in (also known as web check-in)
- Mobile check-in
(Android, iOS or Amazon) - Voice check-in
- Auto check-in
- Airport curbside check-in
- Airport self-service kiosk check-in
- Airport ticket counter check-in
| UPDATEIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, United Airlines has changed their normal boarding process. According to the new boarding process: Boarding will now take place in small groups from the back of the aircraft. Deplaning will take place from front to back.Passengers must wear a mask during the entire trip. |
Check-in Times at United Airlines
- Online Check-in Time
You can check-in online per the time limits provided below.
- For Domestic Flights. From 24 hours to:
- At least 45 minutes before departure with checked baggage.
- At least 30 minutes before departure with carry-on only baggage:
Exceptions- At least 45 minutes before departure from Aguadilla, San Juan, Kahului, and Baltimore.
- At least 60 minutes before departure from Guam.
- For International Flights. From 24 hours to 1 hour before departure.
Exceptions- At least 90 minutes before departure for flights from Manila; to/from Micronesia (Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap) and Marshall Islands (Majuro, Kwajalein).
- At least 75 minutes before departure for flights from Hawaii, Honolulu, Dublin, and Lima.
Note. If your itinerary includes an international destination, you must check in per the international time limit.
- Mobile Check-in Time
You can check-in with the mobile app per the time limits provided below.
- For Domestic Flights. From 24 hours to:
- At least 45 minutes before departure with checked baggage.
- At least 30 minutes before departure with carry-on only baggage:
Exceptions- At least 45 minutes before departure from Aguadilla, San Juan, Kahului, and Baltimore.
- At least 60 minutes before departure from Guam.
- For International Flights. From 24 hours to 1 hour before departure.
Exceptions- At least 90 minutes before departure for flights from Manila; to/from Micronesia (Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap) and Marshall Islands (Majuro, Kwajalein).
- At least 75 minutes before departure for flights from Hawaii, Honolulu, Dublin, and Lima.
Note. If your itinerary includes an international destination, you must check in per the international time limit.
- Voice Check-in Time
The voice check-in time is as follows:
- For Domestic Flights. From 24 hours to:
- At least 45 minutes before departure with checked baggage.
- At least 30 minutes before departure with carry-on only baggage:
Exceptions- At least 45 minutes before departure from Aguadilla, San Juan, Kahului, and Baltimore.
- At least 60 minutes before departure from Guam.
- For International Flights. From 24 hours to 1 hour before departure.
Exceptions- At least 90 minutes before departure for flights from Manila; to/from Micronesia (Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap) and Marshall Islands (Majuro, Kwajalein).
- At least 75 minutes before departure for flights from Hawaii, Honolulu, Dublin, and Lima.
Note. If your itinerary includes an international destination, you must check in per the international time limit.
- Airport Curbside Check-in Time
United Airlines airport curbside check-in time ranges from 4 hours to 30 minutes before departure, depending on your departure city. However, you should check the exact check-in deadline for your departure airport.
- Airport Self-Service Kiosk Check-in Time
You can check in from the airport self-service kiosk from 3 hours to 30 minutes before your flight, depending on your departure city. However, you should check the exact check-in deadline for your departure airport.
- Airport Counter Check-in Time
You can check-in at the airport ticket counter as follows:
- For Domestic Flights. From 3 hours to:
- At least 45 minutes before departure with checked baggage.
- At least 30 minutes before departure with carry-on only baggage:
Exceptions- At least 45 minutes before departure from Aguadilla, San Juan, Kahului, and Baltimore.
- At least 60 minutes before departure from Guam.
- For International Flights. From 3 hours to 1 hour before departure.
Exceptions- At least 90 minutes before departure for flights from Manila; to/from Micronesia (Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap) and Marshall Islands (Majuro, Kwajalein).
- At least 75 minutes before departure for flights from Hawaii, Honolulu, Dublin, and Lima.
- The following with exceptions apply.
Note
- If your itinerary includes an international destination, you must check in per the international time limit.
- Some airports have special minimum required times, so do check before traveling.
United Airlines Online Check-in
A screenshot of United Airlines online check-in service
You can check in online from United Airlines’ official website by following the steps below:
- Go to United.com
- Select Check-in
- On the next screen:
- Enter your confirmation number and last name
- Click on Search
(you can also check in with your MileagePlus® account if you have one)
- Select your flight and check in
After checking in online, you can:
- Print your own boarding pass, or
- Have a link emailed to your mobile device—and then display your boarding pass barcode at security and when boarding your aircraft
You Will Not Be Eligible for Online Check-in if:
- You have a paper-ticket
- You’re traveling with a pet
- Your reservation contains a special service request to see a United Airlines representative at the airport
- You’re traveling on Basic Economy and you haven’t specified that you’ll be checking a bag
- Your itinerary contains more than 4 flights
- You’re traveling with more than 9 persons on your reservation
United Airlines Mobile Check-in
To check-in from United Airlines’ mobile app:
- Open the official Android, iOS or Amazon app
- Click on Check-in
- Enter your confirmation number and last name
- Check in
United Airlines Voice Check-in
If you can’t check in for your flight online or with the mobile app, United’s voice check-in allows you to check in over the phone.
How to Use United Airlines Voice Check-in
To use the voice check-in option:
- Call 1-800-864-8331
- Say Check in to the automated menu.
You can use the voice check-in option if you’re flying within the United States and Canada and there are fewer than 10 passengers in your booking.
The voice check-in option also allows you to select the number of bags you’ll be checking in, listen to your baggage charges, and arrange to have your boarding pass either emailed to you or picked up at an airport kiosk.
United Airlines Auto Check-in
You can use United Airlines auto check-in option either if you have a return flight or a flight within 24 hours of an existing flight. Once you select the feature, you can choose to receive your boarding pass by email, to your mobile device (if available), or collect a printout at an airport kiosk.
United Airlines Airport Curbside Check-in
You can check in for your United Airlines flight at the curbside of most U.S. airports from 4 hours to 30 minutes before your flight (depending on your departure airport).
How to Check in at the Airport Curbside
To check in at the airport curbside for your United Airlines flight, you will need your:
- Photo ID, and
- Flight reservation code, or
- Flight number, or
- E-ticket number
To know whether your airport has a curbside check-in facility, check the website.
United Airlines Airport Kiosk Check-in
To check-in from your airport’s kiosk, you will need your:
- 6-character confirmation number, or
- 13-digit eTicket number
- United MileagePlus frequent flyer card, or
- Credit card, or
- Passport
Aside from checking in, you will also be able to:
- Print your boarding pass
- Check in your baggage
- Tag your baggage (at select airports)
- Select, change or upgrade your seat
- Stand by for premium cabin seat
(if you’re an eligible MileagePlus Premier® member) - Add your MileagePlus number to your reservation
- Change to a same-day flight
- Find an alternate flight if your flight is delayed or canceled
- Listen to audio instructions if you’re visually impaired
United Airlines Airport Desk/Counter Check-in
You can check-in physically at your airport’s counter. After you show your passport and other travel documents at the airport counter:
- You’ll be able to check in your baggage
- You’ll be assigned a seat
- You’ll be given your boarding pass
Note
- For check-in counter hours, select a location below:
- The check-in counters and kiosks at some airports do not accept. For details, refer to the Accepted Forms of Payment page.
Special Check-in Counters
United Airlines provides special assistance at the airport and on the flight.
- Special Assistance at the Airport
- Wheelchair assistance
- Flight information display systems (at select airports)
- Verbal flight information
- Telecommunications device (TDD) for deaf people
- Each domestic airport has at least 1 TDD
- To reserve a TDD, call +1-800-323-0170
- Special Assistance at Airport Kiosks
- Tactile buttons and speech output (at select airports)
- To learn what you can do, visit the airport kiosks page
- For airport facilities offered at each airport, check out United Customer Contact Center
- Assistance on the Flight
- Individual safety briefings
- Assistance during the flight
- To/from seat assistance
- To/from lavatory assistance onboard
(except inside the lavatory) - Boarding and disembarkation assistance
- Assistance for loading and retrieving carry-on items
(except actual feeding) - Assistance with opening and identifying meal items
The following passengers can ask United for special assistance:
- Pregnant passengers
- Passengers traveling with pets (in cabin or cargo)
- Passengers with disabilities
- Senior passengers
- Passengers requiring onboard medical oxygen
- Unaccompanied minors
- Passengers with food allergies
- Passengers requiring special meals
- Passengers requiring extra seating
United Airlines Boarding Process
United Airlines has 6 boarding groups, one of which is assigned to you for boarding your flight. These groups include Pre-boarding and Groups 1 – 5.
United Airlines Pre-Boarding Group
United Airlines pre-boarding group includes the following passengers:
- Passengers with disabilities
- Unaccompanied minors
- U.S. military personnel in uniform
- Passengers travelling with children under the age of 2
- United Global Services members
- Premier 1K members
Group 1. Group 1 passengers include Premier Platinum and Gold members, Star Alliance Gold members, and Premium cabin passengers (Polaris, First, and Business).
Group 2. Group 2 passengers include Premier and Star Alliance Silver members, passengers who have purchased Premier Access Priority Boarding, United Explorer and United Club cardmembers, United Presidential Plus and United MileagePlus Awards cardmembers.
Group 3-5. Group 3-5 passengers include passengers who have purchased an Economy Plus or United Economy fare, and Basic Economy passengers holding an Elite/Star Alliance status or holding a Chase United credit card.
United Airlines New Boarding Process
United Airlines has reduced the 5 boarding groups to just 2. After Group 1 and Group 2 have boarded, Groups 3–5 will be called to board via Lane 2.