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Minimum check-in times still vary from carrier to carrier, and from airport to airport. Most carriers surveyed by USA TODAY said passengers should check in at least 60 to 90 minutes before a domestic flight. US Airways, for example, says that 60 minutes is only an estimate during non-peak times.

Delta recommends a flat 60-minute minimum at all airports for all domestic flights during off peak hours. American Airlines says passengers without checked bags should report in at least 60 minutes before a domestic flight, 90 minutes for those with a checked bag. Southwest says the recommended check-in time is one to two hours, depending on departure city and day of week. On international flights, Continental says 120-180 minutes, and American and United say 120.

Domestic check in during peak time at heavily congested airports such as LaGuardia, Newark and Chicago could be as much as 150 minutes prior to flight.

The minimum amount of time airlines allow for passengers to report to the gate ranges from 10 minutes at Southwest to 45 minutes at America West. The most common minimum gate time is fifteen minutes. Airlines say that passengers who don't adhere to these times may lose their seats. In all cases, seat assignments are subject to release and reassignment if passengers are not checked in 30 minutes prior to departure and all passengers are required to be in their seats 10 minutes before departure.