US domestic flights: cutoff time
Is there a governing authority that has issued a rule that aircraft doors are closed (no more passengers may board) 10 minutes before the planned departure time?
Best Answer
There is no government regulation of this nature. Airlines set their own policies. For instance, United says:
For flights within the U.S., all customers must be on board the aircraft 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. We recommend being at the boarding gate at least 15 minutes before departure to ensure that you’re on the aircraft before the doors are closed.
If you arrive at the gate after the cut-off time, you may find your seat has already been given to a standby passenger or that it is simply too late to board. They may also be able to accommodate you anyway. But it's a matter of airline policy, not law.
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What is the check-in time for domestic flights USA?
When you're traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.What is the latest time you can board a flight?
Most flights start boarding 30 - 50 minutes before scheduled departure, but the exact time depends on your destination and plane. Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you're not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. You will not be allowed to board once the doors close.How long before a flight Do they shut the gate?
Once you have checked in for your flight and, if necessary, checked bags, the only time that really matters is the "Boarding Time" printed on your boarding pass, usually between 30-60 minutes before scheduled departure. Generally speaking, the boarding gate closes 15-30 minutes before departure.UNITED vs AMERICAN vs DELTA Economy Class | Which Airline Is Best?! | Economy Week
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