Boarding usually ends about 15 to 35 minutes before departure , depending on the airline and route. For example, American Airlines says boarding ends 15 minutes before departure, while SAS lists 20 minutes for many European/Africa flights and 35 minutes for Asia/North America flights.

Typical timing

  • Domestic flights: often close around 15–20 minutes before departure.
  • International or long-haul flights: often close around 20–35 minutes before departure, and sometimes earlier depending on airport procedures.
  • Gate closure is final: once the doors close, airlines may not let you board even if the plane is still at the gate.

Best rule to follow

Check your airline app or boarding pass for the exact cutoff, because the official boarding end time can vary by carrier, route, and airport. As a practical buffer, arriving at the gate well before the listed cutoff is the safest move.