Travel can take a lot of planning, so if you fly by the seat of your pants, you might not have a seat at all
Do This or Risk Getting Bumped from Your Next Flight
Published on Jun. 26, 2025
We all know the type: They’ve packed their bags days in advance, set multiple alarms on their phone and pre-arranged reliable transportation to the airport—just in case. With such meticulous planning, what could possibly go wrong? Well, a lot. That’s because even the most Type-A, checklist-loving travelers can get blindsided and lose their seat to someone else if they skip or delay one very important step before a flight. Luckily, avoiding getting bumped is simple and takes almost no time at all. We spoke with a travel expert to break down exactly what to do to keep your seat—and your sanity.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, humor, tech, cleaning and fun facts all week long.
What should you do to avoid getting bumped from a flight?
The single most important thing you can do: “Check in as early as possible,” advises Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, the world’s largest organization specializing in air passenger rights. Most airlines allow passengers to check in as much as 24 hours before their scheduled flight from the comfort of their own home, so there’s usually no good reason to leave it to the last minute.
Why is checking in early so essential?
Airlines frequently overbook flights, based on historical data and algorithms that attempt to predict just how many passengers are likely to be no-shows. After all, an empty seat means lost revenue. But if more people actually show up than there are available seats on the plane? “When a flight is overbooked, airlines will typically ask for any travelers who aren’t in a hurry to voluntarily give up their seats first in exchange for compensation,” Napoli explains, noting that if there are not enough volunteers, airlines can begin denying passengers seats. “The specific criteria may vary from airline to airline, but can include the passenger’s check-in time, airfare paid or their frequent flyer status.” If it comes down to check-in time, he adds, “you’ll want to make sure you’re one of the first and not one of the last passengers to have checked in to the flight.”
Are there other advantages to checking in early?
There can be, in some situations. Sometimes early check-in may mean scoring better seat options. “Many airlines, depending on the class of your ticket, allow passengers to choose their seat or update their seat at check-in,” Napoli says. “If you check in late, you run the risk of winding up in the leftover seats nobody wants, like the middle seat or in a row near the bathroom.”
It also gives you earlier access to flight information. “By checking in early, passengers will start receiving real-time updates on any flight changes and can be in a better position for any potential upgrades,” Napoli says.
And if you still get bumped, being the early-bird could pay dividends, or at least make missing the flight a little easier to accept. “For any passengers who have checked in early and are still bumped from the flight, they will have a strong claim for compensation,” Napoli says.
Are there any disadvantages of early check-in?
Rarely—but some travelers believe a risky strategy known as “check-in chicken” could be worth the gamble (hint: it’s not). This involves waiting until the very last possible minute to check in for a flight, in hopes of being randomly assigned an unclaimed premium seat or even an upgrade—without paying extra. According to Napoli, the idea is pretty much just wishful thinking. “The chances of getting bumped up are actually higher for passengers who have checked in early—not late,” he says. “It’s risky because if passengers wait too long to check in to their flight, it can impact their boarding group, cause them to wind up in an undesirable seat or row, and increase their chances of ultimately being bumped from the flight in the event it is overbooked.”
What are the check-in cutoff times for major U.S. airlines?
Check-in cutoff times vary slightly by carrier and whether you’re checking luggage. Always confirm with your airline, as rules can vary depending on the route or departure location.
United
- Domestic flights: 45 minutes before your scheduled departure for passengers with and without checked luggage
- International flights: At least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure, with or without checked luggage, but could be more, depending on location
Delta
- Domestic flights: 30 minutes before departure for passengers without checked luggage, or 45 minutes with checked baggage
- International flights: At least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure, with or without checked luggage, but could be more depending on location
American
- Domestic flights: 45 minutes before departure for passengers with or without checked luggage
- International flights: At least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure, with or without checked luggage, but could be more, depending on location
Southwest
- Domestic flights: 45 minutes before departure for passengers with checked luggage
- International flights: At least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure, with or without checked luggage, but could be more depending on location
Alaska Airlines
- Domestic flights: 50 minutes before departure for passengers with or without checked luggage
- International flights: At least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure, with or without checked luggage, but could be more depending on location
RELATED:
- Flying Solo Just Got More Expensive—Here’s How to Avoid Paying Extra
- This Is the Best Seat to Book on an Airplane to Avoid Motion Sickness, According to a Flight Attendant
- Here’s Why You Should Always Screenshot This Important Travel Document Before a Flight
About the expert
|
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp; email interview, June 2025
- Associated Press: “United is narrowing its check-in window for US flights. Here’s how it compares to other airlines”
- United: “Airport Process”
- Delta: “Check-In Times at U.S. Airports”
- Delta: “Check-In Times at International Airports”
- American: “Check-In and Arrival”
- Southwest: “Checked Baggage Policy”
- Alaska Airlines: “Check-In & Boarding Cut-Off Times”
