Newark · EWR · one of the busier hubs
That is not a rule of thumb — it is the sum of the things that actually take time at EWR, worked backwards from the moment boarding starts.
| Step | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Drive to the airport | 30 |
| Park, walk in, get oriented | 10 |
| Security at EWR | 35 |
| Walk to the gate | 15 |
| Be seated before boarding | 35 |
Most travellers plan around boarding. The one that actually strands people is the bag drop cutoff, which closes well before the gate does and varies a lot by airline:
| Airline | Bags close | Gate closes |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 45 min before | 15 min before |
| United Airlines | 45 min before | 15 min before |
| American Airlines | 45 min before | 15 min before |
| Southwest Airlines | 45 min before | 10 min before |
| JetBlue | 40 min before | 15 min before |
| Alaska Airlines | 50 min before | 15 min before |
| Spirit Airlines | 45 min before | 15 min before |
| Frontier Airlines | 60 min before | 20 min before |
Domestic departures. International cutoffs are stricter — American closes checked bags 90 minutes out.
Enter your flight and we will work backwards through security, bags, parking and traffic to the minute you should walk out of your door.