Knowing which documents to bring with you and when to arrive at the airport will help to ensure a hassle-free trip.
Advisory: New security measures have been implemented
which necessitate an
earlier arrival. See Security
Checkpoints for details.
To get a general idea of when you should arrive at the airport, add the required check-in time below to the current security wait time.
If you are traveling as a Delta customer on one of our codeshare partners, check in with that codeshare carrier for their check-in requirements.
You must be at the boarding gate at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
If traveling outside the United States, you must be checked in and present at the check-in counters 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time. This minimum requirement applies to all customers checking-in, with or without baggage.
If you're traveling within the United States and you're checking bags, your baggage must be checked in and present at the check-in counters at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time except when traveling from one of the following cities:
| City | Required Baggage Check-in Time | Be at the Boarding Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| Denver, CO | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| Las Vegas, NV | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| Los Angeles, CA | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| New York, NY (JFK) | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| Orlando, FL | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| Philadelphia, PA | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| Reno, NV | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| San Antonio, TX | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| San Juan, PR | 45 minutes before departure | 15 minutes before departure |
| St. Croix, VI | 60 minutes before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| St. Thomas, VI | 60 minutes before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| City | Required Baggage Check-in Time | Be at the Boarding Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 30 minutes before departure | 5 minutes before departure |
| New York, NY (La Guardia) | 15 minutes before departure | 5 minutes before departure |
| Washington, D.C. | 15 minutes before departure | 5 minutes before departure |
If you're not checking bags, you must be checked in, present at the check-in counters, and made yourself known at the boarding gate at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
If you're checking bags, your baggage must be checked in and present at the check-in counters at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time except when traveling from one of the following cities:
| City | Required Baggage Check-in Time | Be at the Boarding Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Accra, Ghana | 2 hours before departure even if you're not checking bags | 45 minutes before departure |
| Amman, Jordan | 75 minutes before departure even if you're not checking bags | 45 minutes before departure |
| Bogota, Colombia | 2 hours before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| Bucharest, Romania | 90 minutes before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | 1-4 hours before departure. Check-in closes 1 hour before departure even if you're not checking bags | 1 hour before departure |
| Dakar, Senegal | 75 minutes before departure even if you're not checking bags | 45 minutes before departure |
| Istanbul, Turkey | 3 hours and 15 minutes before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| Lagos, Nigeria | 75 minutes before departure even if you're not checking bags | 45 minutes before departure | Moscow, Russia | 3 hours before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| Nassau, Bahamas | 2 hours before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| Paris, France (CDG) | Check-in opens 3 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| Providenciales, Turks and Caicos | 2 hours before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
| St. George, Bermuda | 90 minutes before departure even if you're not checking bags | 45 minutes before departure |
| St. Lucia | 2 hours before departure | 45 minutes before departure |
To be at the gate in time for your flight, you'll need to add additional time to your recommended check-in time in order to clear security. To check current security wait times at airports throughout the United States, visit the Transportation Security Administration.
Select from the following:
For more information about the types of ID accepted at U.S. security checkpoints, see the Transportation Security Administration.
Visit Visa & Passport Information to determine which documents you'll need to enter your destination country.