Check In
Airlines recommend checking in for your flight 24 hours prior to boarding. In addition to checking in, you should arrive early to ensure that wait times at security don't hinder your ability to board your flight on time.
Airline Check-in Guidelines
Allegiant
You will need to check in to get boarding pass(es) starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes prior to scheduled flight departure.
American Airlines
You can check in online or from the app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before your flight (90 for international).
To check bags or check in at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure:
- Within the U.S. – 45 minutes
- To or from destinations outside the U.S. – 60 minutes
Delta
Check in up to 24 hours before departure, you can check in online. Select “Check In” in the page header or go to My Trips.
Southwest
- 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time: We may begin boarding as early as 30 minutes prior to your flight’s scheduled departure time. We encourage all passengers to plan to arrive in the gate area no later than this time.
- 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure time: All passengers must obtain their boarding passes and be in the gate area available for boarding at least 10 minutes prior to your flight’s scheduled departure time. If not, Southwest may cancel your reserved space, and you will not be eligible for denied boarding compensation.
Frontier
Check-In Times: For most flights, you can check in on the Frontier app starting 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time. We recommend you arrive at least 2 hours before departure to ensure you are checked in and at the gate by the cutoff times. You must have your boarding pass printed and any baggage checked by the following cutoff times:
- Domestic Flights: 60 minutes before departure
- International Flights: 60 minutes before departure
Please be at the gate and ready to board no later than 45 minutes before departure.
United Airlines
You can check in 24 hours before your flight. Make sure to have the necessary travel documents if you’re traveling internationally, like your passport or visa. If a destination requires you to have a visa, you can verify it through the Travel-Ready Center or with a United agent at the airport.
Security Tips and Tricks
How to Get Through Security Quickly
Set yourself up for success prior to arriving at security
- Arrive early! Plan to arrive at least two hours prior to your flight’s scheduled boarding time to allow enough time to park, navigate to the terminal, check luggage with the airline if needed and go through security screening before arriving at your gate.
- Bring an acceptable ID. A REAL ID driver’s license or compliant identification card or a valid U.S. passport is now required for all domestic flights. If you’re planning to fly and don’t have REAL ID-compliant identification, please arrive even earlier for TSA to verify your identity and to undergo additional screening.
- Wear clothing you can remove easily, like slip on shoes and minimal accessories. (Watches, metal jewelry, belts, and other metal items will need to be removed prior to entering detectors.)
- Go easy on those liquids! All liquids should be 3.4 ounces or less and must fit in a 1-quart plastic bag.
- Pack smart and start with an empty bag. If you start packing with an empty bag, you are less likely to bring prohibited items to the checkpoint. If you plan to travel with a firearm, you must properly pack the firearm in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked luggage and declare it with the airline while checking in at the airline ticket counter.
- Sign up for TSA PreCheck to get through security even faster.
Top 5 Items That Can Increase Your Wait Time At Security
- Bottled waters and other liquids in bottles over 3.4 ounces
- Toothpaste and other gels over 3.4 ounces
- Lighters or other flammable objects
- Pocket knives and other sharp objects
- Guns and other firearms – yes, even if you have a concealed carry license, you can’t bring it on the plane.
What You Should Know Before Arriving
Can I take a prescription in my carry-on? What if it needs refrigeration?
We recommend that you carry all medications (and valuables) in your carry-on bag. Please adopt the 3-1-1 liquids rule–all liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 oz (100ml) or less per container, and containers must be stored in a 1-quart clear plastic zip-top bag. Medication in liquid form is allowed in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 ounces; the traveler should inform the TSA officer of these medically necessary liquids and separate them from other belongings before screening begins. Passengers are allowed to bring medications in pill or other solid form through security screening checkpoints in unlimited amounts, as long as they are screened. If a passenger does not want a medication X-rayed, he or she may ask for an inspection instead. This request must be made before screening begins. You may keep your medication on ice until it’s time to process through screening. Once at screening, the ice will need to be dumped. You can get more ice at one of the post-screening restaurants.
For more information on TSA’s rules regarding travel items: What Can I Bring? All | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov).
How do I get a wheelchair?
This service is provided by airlines. Please make your arrangements in advance when you book your flight. In the airport, call Customer Care at 501-375-1509 to request assistance.
How do I pay for parking?
You may pay for parking by credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Parking pricing and options are available here: Parking Options | Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport Little Rock (clintonairport.com).
What type of identification do I need?
Passengers 18 and over must show a photo ID issued by federal or state government that contains your name, date of birth, gender and an expiration date. See acceptable documents.
When does the airport open?
LIT airport is open 24/7 but airlines, concessions and rental cars have their own operating hours. The TSA checkpoint opens at 4 a.m. daily and airline ticket counters typically open around 3:30 a.m. for the first flights of the day.
How early should I arrive at the airport before my flight?
Please arrive 2 hours prior to departure for check-in and security screening.