Ruth Haines
If you're flying with Southwest Airlines from Sacramento Airport, you'll want to know the earliest you can check in your bags. The airline recommends arriving at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time, and baggage should be checked at least 45 minutes before departure to avoid a late check-in tag. While online web check-in is available, you cannot check bags this way, so you'll need to use the airport Express Bag Drop kiosks, the ticket counter, or curbside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to check bags before departure | 30 minutes to 3 hours |
| Suggested arrival time | 2 hours |
| Baggage check-in deadline | 45 minutes |
| Online check-in | 24 hours before departure |
| Online check-in deadline | 1 hour before departure |
| Early check-in | 4 hours (offered by some airports for a fee) |
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What You'll Learn
Check-in and bag drop at Sacramento airport
Check-in and bag drop procedures at Sacramento International Airport depend on several factors, including your flight's departure time, destination, and whether you're travelling domestically or internationally. Here is some detailed information about checking in and dropping off bags at Sacramento Airport when flying with Southwest Airlines:
Check-in:
- The Sacramento Airport ticket counter opens 2 hours before the first departing flight on weekdays and Sundays, and 3 hours before on Saturdays.
- Southwest Airlines recommends arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time for both domestic and international flights.
- The minimum time to check-in for a Southwest Airlines flight is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights and 1 hour for international flights. However, checking in early may provide a better opportunity to select your preferred seat and access overhead bin storage for carry-on luggage.
- You can check-in for your Southwest Airlines flight at the airport ticket counter or self-service kiosks from 30 minutes to 3 hours before the scheduled departure time, depending on your destination.
- Online check-in is also available via your mobile device starting 24 hours before and ending 1 hour before the scheduled departure time, allowing you to receive a mobile boarding pass.
Bag Drop:
- All bags must be checked at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.
- You can drop off your bags at the airport ticket counter, curbside, or at the Express Bag Drop kiosks.
- Bag fees can be paid at the ticket counter during check-in.
- To avoid delays, ensure that your passport and booking information match exactly.
Additionally, it's worth noting that Sacramento Airport, particularly Terminal B, has been noted to have unpredictable TSA and baggage check-in experiences, with varying wait times ranging from 15 minutes to over 2 hours.
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Suggested arrival times
For domestic flights, Southwest recommends arriving at the airport 120 minutes before departure. This is to ensure enough time to check bags and go through security before boarding. International flights have the same recommended arrival time of 120 minutes, but some airports may require more time, up to three hours in some cases. It is always best to check the specific recommendations for the departure airport.
Passengers with layovers on international flights should use Doors #3 and #4 on the upper level (departures) to enter the terminal and head to the Main Ticket Counter to check in and check their bags. The suggested arrival time for these passengers is 180 minutes before departure.
It is important to note that baggage checked less than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time will be tagged as late, and Southwest will not assume delivery charges if the baggage does not arrive at the destination on time.
To speed up the check-in process, passengers can obtain their boarding pass before arriving at the airport by printing it at home or downloading it to their mobile device. Southwest also offers bag tag kiosks at the airport, which can be faster than waiting in line to speak with a Southwest employee.
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Online check-in
Southwest Airlines recommends that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. The airline's ticket counter opens 120 minutes before the first departing flight of the day. All bags must be checked 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Passengers can check-in online for Southwest Airlines flights using their mobile devices. Online check-in is available from 24 hours to 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time, depending on the departure city and destination. Passengers who check in online will receive a mobile boarding pass on their device. To check in online, passengers need an electronic ticket, and their first flight must be with Southwest Airlines. They can access their reservation using their confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account.
Passengers can also check in at the airport ticket counter from 30 minutes to 3 hours before the scheduled departure time. At the ticket counter, passengers can check bags, pay bag fees, and receive a printed boarding pass. However, they cannot select or change their seats at the ticket counter as Southwest Airlines does not assign seats.
Southwest Airlines also offers an EarlyBird Check-In option for a fee of $15.00 per segment. This option automatically checks passengers in and assigns their boarding position, allowing them to board earlier and have better access to overhead bin storage for carry-on luggage.
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Self-service kiosks
Southwest Airlines recommends that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. This is to allow enough time to check bags, clear security, and get to the gate at least 30 minutes before departure.
Passengers can check-in for their Southwest Airlines flight at the airport ticket counter from 30 minutes to 3 hours before the scheduled departure time. However, bags checked less than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure will be tagged with a Late Check-In Tag. While every effort will be made to get late checked baggage on the flight, Southwest will not assume delivery charges if the baggage does not arrive.
Passengers can also check bags at the airport Express Bag Drop kiosks or curbside. Checking in baggage four hours prior to the flight is possible at some airports for a fee.
To speed up the check-in process, passengers can use one of the self-service kiosks at the airport to obtain their boarding pass. There are several self-service kiosks at the airport, and they usually move faster than the lines used by passengers who want to talk to Southwest employees. Passengers can also use one of Southwest's bag tag kiosks to further expedite the process.
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Baggage policies
Southwest Airlines recommends that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. The airline operates from the North Concourse, gates B15 and B17-B20, and it is a 20-minute walk from the ticket counter to the departure gates. The ticket counter opens 120 minutes before the first departing flight, and all bags must be checked 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. While Southwest does not offer online web check-in for baggage, passengers can check their bags at the airport's Express Bag Drop kiosks, the ticket counter, or curbside. Passengers can check-in at the ticket counter from 30 minutes to 3 hours before the scheduled departure time and receive a printed boarding pass. Passengers can also check-in using their mobile devices starting 24 hours before and ending 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time to receive a mobile boarding pass. It is recommended that passengers get their boarding passes before arriving at the airport to speed up the process. Baggage checked less than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure will be tagged as a Late Check-In, and while efforts will be made to get the late baggage on the flight, Southwest will not assume delivery charges if the baggage does not arrive. Some airports offer baggage storage services for a fee.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you arrive at Sacramento Airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time to check your bags. The ticket counter opens 2 hours before the first departing flight and all bags must be checked 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
You can check your bags at the airport ticket counter, the Express Bag Drop kiosks, or curbside.
Yes, you can pay bag fees at the ticket counter.
No, you cannot select or change your seat at the ticket counter. Southwest Airlines does not assign seats.
No, you cannot check your bags with the Southwest Airlines online web check-in.
