Airlines like American recommend arriving at least two hours before your flight to allow time for check-in, bag drop, and TSA. At SPS, we suggest arriving 90 minutes before departure, which is usually plenty of time at our regional airport.

Here’s something important to keep in mind as well:

American Airlines’ system automatically locks out ticket counter agents from checking in passengers 45 minutes before departure. That means:

If you arrive after the 45-minute cutoff and still need to check bags, you won’t be able to check in.

Airline staff will have already moved to flight operations (like loading baggage and preparing the plane for departure).

After the flight departs, they’ll return to assist with rebooking—pending seat availability.

From American Airlines:

“All airports have minimum check-in times. If you’re not checked in by the minimum check-in time, you may lose your seat.

In most cities, you must be checked in at least 45 minutes before scheduled departure for flights within the U.S.”

Learn more here: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/check-in-and-arrival.jsp

TSA at SPS typically opens 90 minutes before scheduled departure, so that’s a great time to aim for.