Michael Turner
Rule of thumb: present checked baggage at the airline counter or self-service kiosk about 2 hours before domestic departures and about 3–4 hours before international departures. Most carriers begin accepting bags when their ticket counters open; some international and legacy carriers require the longer, 4-hour window.
Complete web or mobile check-in as soon as it becomes available (typically 24 hours before departure), print or obtain bag tags at kiosks, then proceed to the designated counter or curb lane. Using self-service tag kiosks typically shortens processing by roughly 10–20 minutes.
Curbside acceptance policies and counter hours vary by carrier and terminal within the San Francisco International terminal complex. Legacy carriers usually allow earlier acceptance than low-cost carriers; verify the carrier’s published checked baggage window and the terminal assignment on the carrier’s website before leaving for the terminal.
Peak periods: during morning rush, holiday travel and major event weekends, add an extra 30–90 minutes to account for security queues and extra document checks for international travel. For oversized or specialty items, call the carrier in advance to reserve processing time.
If you need handling outside normal timeframes, contact your carrier directly; some offer paid early acceptance, same-day holding, or expedited processing options at the terminal. Bring confirmation of any paid service to the counter to ensure acceptance.
Checked-baggage timing for San Francisco terminals
Arrive at the San Francisco terminal with checked baggage prepared at least 3 hours before international departures and 2 hours before domestic departures.
Ticket counters typically open 3 hours prior for domestic services and 4 hours prior for long-haul international services; some carriers open earlier for early-morning or heavy-traffic flights. Self-service kiosks and staffed check-in islands usually follow the same opening windows.
Most carriers stop accepting checked baggage 45 minutes before domestic departures and between 60–90 minutes before international departures. Low-cost carriers and some foreign airlines may impose earlier cutoff times (up to 90–120 minutes); follow the carrier’s published policy to avoid refusal at the counter.
Curbside baggage intake depends on the operator and terminal; several airlines offer curbside service only during staffed hours while a few provide extended or 24-hour curbside processing. If using curbside, add 15–30 minutes for queueing, tagging and payment.
Special items (oversize sports equipment, musical instruments, pets in kennels) require extra processing time – plan to arrive 3–4 hours before scheduled departure and confirm handling requirements and fees with the carrier in advance.
Peak congestion occurs in morning (06:00–09:00), late afternoon (16:00–19:00) and holiday periods; add an extra 30–60 minutes to the baseline windows during those times. For tight connections or single checked-through itineraries, allow additional buffer to ensure transfer and screening completion.
| Service | Typical opening before departure | Typical acceptance cutoff before departure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline ticket counters | Domestic: 3 hours · International: 4 hours | Domestic: 45 min · International: 60–90 min | Times vary by carrier and flight type; verify with airline |
| Self-service kiosks / bag-tag kiosks | 3–4 hours | Same as counters | Useful for faster processing but still subject to carrier cutoffs |
| Curbside intake | Varies (some 24/7, most staffed hours) | Generally aligns with counter cutoffs | Expect additional queue time and payment handling |
| Special/oversize items & pet handling | At least 3–4 hours | May require earlier acceptance; check carrier rules | Separate paperwork and space allocation often required |
Airline-specific baggage counter opening times at San Francisco International
Arrive at your carrier’s checked-baggage counter according to the windows listed below; use mobile check-in to avoid unnecessary waiting and confirm any curbside or premium-counter hours with the airline before leaving for the terminal.
Major U.S. carriers
United Airlines – Typically opens checked-baggage counters 2 hours before domestic departures and 3 hours before international departures; some long‑haul or premium services may allow check-in 3–4 hours in advance. Use United’s app for real-time counter status and curbside availability.
Delta Air Lines – Standard window is 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. SkyPriority and Delta One counters follow the same schedule but may admit premium customers earlier on a flight‑by‑flight basis.
American Airlines – Counters generally open 2 hours prior to domestic flights and 3 hours prior to international flights; flagship/premium check-in can open earlier for certain routes.
Alaska Airlines – Most departures: 2 hours for domestic, 3 hours for international or Mexico/Canada services. Alaska’s terminal curbside options and baggage kiosks depend on staffing, so verify on Alaska’s site.
Southwest Airlines – Domestic services: counters normally available 2 hours before departure. Southwest’s SFO international presence is limited; consult the app for specific counter hours.
JetBlue – Domestic/transcontinental: 2 hours; international: 3 hours. JetBlue posts counter-open notices in the app for SFO departures.
International carriers
British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Air Canada – Standard practice is 3 hours before international departures. For transatlantic and European services expect counters to follow the 3‑hour rule; seasonal schedule shifts are possible, so check the carrier page.
Emirates, Singapore Airlines, ANA – These long‑haul carriers may permit checked-baggage processing 3–4 hours before departure, especially on evening or ultra‑long flights. Premium-cabin and first-class counters frequently open at the earlier end of that range.
Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Korean Air – Counters usually open 3 hours before departure for international flights; verify for early-morning services which sometimes have altered staffing windows.
If your itinerary includes connections or interline transfers through San Francisco International, contact the operating carrier to confirm the specific counter opening time for the flight segment where you intend to hand over checked baggage. Use airline apps, reservation pages, or phone support for the single most current counter hours.
Terminal hours and the difference between curbside, ticket counter, and transfer desk bag services
Use the ticket counter for oversized items, special handling and international itineraries; select curbside for a quick single-bag handoff when your carrier staffs that service; use the transfer desk exclusively for interline connections and re-checks between carriers.
Terminal operating notes
- Public roadways and curb lanes remain accessible 24/7, but staffed services inside terminals and security checkpoints follow scheduled windows set by carriers and TSA.
- Most carriers reduce or suspend check-in staffing during late-night hours (roughly 00:30–04:00 local time); plan around those gaps and confirm with your airline before arriving.
- Ticket counters are located inside the departures hall adjacent to security screening; transfer desks are typically in arrivals/connecting corridors or inside international arrival areas and may have much shorter staffed hours than ticket counters.
- If terminals appear open but counters are closed, curb lanes may still permit curb staff to accept bags only when airline personnel are present; do not assume curbside service is available simply because the road is open.
Service differences and practical tips
- Curbside: Fast handoff, minimal paperwork for standard domestic itineraries, ideal when time is tight. Limitations: not suitable for oversize/fragile/specialty items, availability tied to airline staffing, and security/document checks still apply.
- Ticket counter: Full-service processing: oversized sports equipment, musical instruments, excess-weight handling, international customs forms and ID verification. Best choice for anything beyond a standard carry/checked bag.
- Transfer desk: Designed to re-route checked items between connecting flights and to process arriving passengers with onward segments on different carriers. Expect extra time for re-tagging and verification; bring boarding passes and passports for international connections.
- For preprinted or mobile tags: curbside staff will usually accept tagged items, but counters must reissue tags for interline transfers–keep receipts and tag stubs until arrival at your final destination.
- If travelling during low-staff windows, call your carrier to request exception or to learn about alternative options such as airline-approved luggage storage, vending tag kiosks, or the carrier’s city check-in services.
- Allow extra time when using a transfer desk–plan an additional 30–60 minutes beyond a normal single-carrier check process, especially for international connections requiring customs/transit paperwork.
Automated kiosks and morning handling: when self-service accepts checked bags
Recommendation: use a self-service kiosk at least 90–120 minutes before domestic departures and 180 minutes before international flights; for pre-dawn departures add a 30–60 minute buffer to those intervals to allow ramp crews to arrive and process hold baggage.
Self-service stations typically perform four functions: identity check via boarding pass, tag printing, payment for excess fees, and either direct conveyor acceptance or tag-only issuance. If the kiosk prints a bag tag and immediately directs you to an active belt number, place your item on that belt and retain the receipt. If the machine issues a tag but instructs you to leave the item at a staffed counter or designated hold area, wait for an agent and keep the claim stub and a photo of the barcode.
Integrated automated drops (tagging + conveyor) operate only when ground handling crews are on duty. When terminals open before handlers arrive, kiosks may still print tags but conveyor movement is paused; the timestamp on the barcode determines processing order, so preserve photographic proof of tagging and boarding-pass match. For flights scheduled before terminal staffing hours, expect an additional 20–45 minute processing delay after handlers report for duty.
Most carriers enforce minimum presentation cutoffs: normally 45 minutes for domestic checked items and 60–90 minutes for international. Self-service acceptance is often disabled at those thresholds even if kiosks remain powered. Oversize, overweight or restricted items (greater than 62 linear inches, over 23 kg/50 lb without special handling) are frequently rejected by kiosks and must be handled at a staffed counter.
Bring documentation for special items and confirm allowance via the carrier app or website before using a kiosk. If traveling with a beach umbrella or a large stroller, verify item rules and packing tips at these guides: best beach umbrella for hawaii and best umbrella stroller for tall child.
Quick checklist: check carrier cutoff times in the app, use online check-in to speed tag printing, photograph tag + boarding pass, avoid kiosks for oversized items, and allow an extra 30–60 minutes before the posted departure buffer for pre-dawn operations.
Options if you arrive prior to baggage service opening: storage, check-in desks, and contacting your carrier
If you arrive prior to your carrier’s counter opening, store suitcases with commercial short-term providers or hotel concierge, or request early handling at the ticket desk when staff arrive; keep boarding pass and photo ID ready for any exception to standard acceptance windows.
Short-term storage alternatives
Use secure third-party services (examples: Bounce, Vertoe, LuggageHero) that offer hourly and daily rates–typical pricing: $2–6 per hour or $5–15 per item per day; require online reservation, ID at drop-and-collect, and a receipt. Hotel concierge commonly accepts bags for $0–10 per item per day; ask about insurance limits. Some terminals lack public lockers, so verify availability before relying on terminal facilities. Do not leave batteries, perishables, lithium cells, or irreplaceable valuables; photograph contents and keep an itemized list and receipt for claims. For unrelated maintenance reading, see how to jumpstart an air conditioner compressor.
Ticket counters, transfer desks and contacting the carrier
Check the carrier app for mobile check-in and baggage-tagging options; many airlines allow mobile tag printing at kiosks but require a staffed counter to accept hold items. Call the carrier’s reservations or baggage line with your booking reference and flight number to request an exception or to confirm the earliest acceptance time for checked items; request a supervisor if initial staff decline. For connecting itineraries, ask the check-through desk to tag bags to final destination so they are routed without repeated handling. Use the carrier’s official social media support channels (DM) for real-time updates if phone hold times are long. Arrive with documentation (passport/ID, boarding pass, booking reference) and prepare to use short-term storage if staff cannot accept items before their processing window.
FAQ:
How early can I drop off checked luggage at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for a domestic flight?
Most airlines operating at SFO start accepting checked baggage roughly 3 hours before domestic departures; for international flights the standard is about 4 hours. Each carrier sets its own opening hours and a final cut-off for checked bags — typical cut-offs are around 45–60 minutes before a domestic flight and 60–90 minutes before an international flight. Some airlines allow you to check in online and use self-service bag-drop kiosks when counters open, while others may have staff-assisted check-in only. Before you travel, confirm your airline’s specific bag-drop times on its website or by phone, and plan to arrive with enough time to clear any lines, parking transfers, and security screening.
