What’s in This Article
- What You’ll Need
- Step 1: Access the Delta Website or Fly Delta App
- Step 2: Log In or Enter Your Confirmation Number
- Step 3: Select Your Flight and Choose a Boarding Pass Format
- Step 4: Print Your Boarding Pass
- Step 5: Use the Mobile Boarding Pass
- Step 6: Check In at the Airport
- Tips to Make Boarding Day Easier
- Frequently Asked Questions
Forgetting your boarding pass at the gate is one of the fastest ways to turn a smooth trip into a stressful scramble. Delta gives you several ways to get it — online, on your phone, or at the airport — and the whole process takes less than 10 minutes. This guide covers every option so you know exactly what to do before you leave home.
Quick Answer
Check in on delta.com or the Fly Delta app starting 24 hours before your flight. After checking in, print your boarding pass or save a mobile version to your phone’s wallet. Online check-in closes 60 minutes before domestic departures and 90 minutes before international departures.
Key Takeaways
- Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 60 minutes before domestic flights (90 minutes for international).
- Since April 2025, checked bags for domestic flights must be dropped off at least 45 minutes before departure at most U.S. airports.
- You can save your mobile boarding pass to Apple Wallet or Google Pay for quick scanning at security and the gate.
- Real ID is now required for domestic U.S. flights — bring a Real ID-compliant license or a valid passport.
- Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, have the following ready:
- Your Delta confirmation number (in your booking confirmation email)
- The last name on the ticket
- A SkyMiles login (optional, but it speeds things up)
- A smartphone with the Fly Delta app, or a device with access to delta.com
- A printer if you want a paper copy
Estimated time: 5–10 minutes for online check-in.
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Step 1: Access the Delta Website or Fly Delta App
Open delta.com or the App
Go to delta.com on any browser, or open the Fly Delta app on your iOS or Android device. Both let you check in and get your boarding pass. The app has a few extra features that make travel day easier.
What the App Does Better
The Fly Delta app includes “Today Mode,” which pulls your boarding pass, baggage tracking, and live flight updates into one screen. SkyMiles members can turn on automatic check-in, and the app handles the 24-hour check-in for them automatically.
Find the Check-In Button
Look for the “Check-In” button on the homepage or in the app’s main menu. Online check-in opens exactly 24 hours before your scheduled departure. It closes 60 minutes before domestic flights and 90 minutes before international flights, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
Step 2: Log In or Enter Your Confirmation Number
If you have a SkyMiles account, log in with your username and password. Your upcoming flights appear on the dashboard right away. If you enabled automatic check-in, Delta already checked you in — nothing more to do.
No SkyMiles account? Enter your confirmation number and last name to pull up your booking. If you’ve forgotten your password, Delta lets you reset it by email from the login screen.
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Step 3: Select Your Flight and Choose a Boarding Pass Format
Find your flight on the dashboard or confirmation lookup, then click it to open the check-in page. Delta offers two formats:
| Format | Best for | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile boarding pass | Travelers who prefer paperless | Smartphone with Apple Wallet or Google Pay |
| Printed boarding pass | Travelers who prefer a physical backup | Access to a printer |
Both formats include a scannable barcode that works at TSA checkpoints and boarding gates. You can also add the mobile pass to Apple Wallet or Google Pay for hands-free scanning.
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Step 4: Print Your Boarding Pass
Select the printed option, then review your flight summary, baggage allowances, and security info. Click “Print Boarding Pass” to open a PDF, then confirm your printer settings before printing.
Once printed, check that all text is clear and the barcode isn’t cut off — a blurry or partial barcode won’t scan at the gate. Many travelers also screenshot their mobile boarding pass as a backup even when they plan to use a printed copy.
Step 5: Use the Mobile Boarding Pass
After selecting the mobile option, save the boarding pass to Apple Wallet or Google Pay. Charge your phone fully before heading to the airport. A dead battery at the security scanner creates delays you don’t need.
Pro tip: Screenshot your boarding pass before you leave home — if your phone loses signal or the app crashes at the airport, you’ll still have it.
At security and the boarding gate, open your pass and scan the barcode at the reader. The Fly Delta app’s Today Mode keeps the pass easily accessible so you’re not hunting through apps at a busy checkpoint.
What to Do If Your Mobile Boarding Pass Fails
If your phone dies or the scanner can’t read the barcode, head to the nearest Delta self-service kiosk or staffed counter. Give your confirmation number or SkyMiles number, and an agent can print a replacement in seconds.
Step 6: Check In at the Airport
If you checked in online and only have a carry-on, go straight to security. Checked bags go to Delta’s baggage drop-off area, which moves faster than the full check-in line.
Warning: Since April 2025, checked bags for domestic flights must be dropped off at least 45 minutes before departure at most U.S. airports — 60 minutes at JFK and St. Croix (STX), and 90 minutes at St. Thomas (STT). Missing this cutoff means your bag won’t make the flight.
Delta’s self-service kiosks let you check in, print boarding passes, print bag tags, change seats, and add a frequent flyer number. You only need a confirmation number, SkyMiles number, or credit card to use one. Passengers without checked bags must still check in at least 30 minutes before departure.
If you need help with your boarding pass, baggage fees, or an upgrade, a staffed counter agent can assist. Plan to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.
Tips to Make Boarding Day Easier
Check in as early as possible within the 24-hour window. Early check-in improves your seat options and gives you time to fix any issues before you leave home.
Know your baggage fees before you get to the airport. Delta charges fees for checked bags on most fare types. Verify current rates at delta.com/baggage before your trip, since fees can change.
Note: Real ID is now required for domestic U.S. flights. A standard non-compliant state ID won’t get you through TSA. Bring a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or a valid passport.
Delta boards by zone. Pre-boarding comes first, then Delta One, First Class, and SkyMiles Medallion members, followed by numbered boarding zones in order. Your zone number appears on your boarding pass — listen for gate announcements and have your pass ready.
Keep your boarding pass — printed or mobile — accessible from the moment you reach the airport. You’ll need it at the TSA checkpoint, at the gate, and when you board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a boarding pass?
A boarding pass is a document Delta issues at check-in that grants you permission to board a specific flight. It shows your name, flight number, departure time, gate, seat assignment, and boarding zone.
How do I print my Delta boarding pass?
Go to delta.com or open the Fly Delta app and click “Check In.” Check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Once you’ve checked in, select the print option to generate a PDF you can print at home or at an airport kiosk.
Can I print my boarding pass at the airport?
Yes. Delta’s self-service kiosks print boarding passes on-site. Enter your confirmation number, SkyMiles number, or credit card to check in and print.
Can I use a mobile boarding pass for Delta?
Yes. Check in through the Fly Delta app, then save your mobile boarding pass to Apple Wallet or Google Pay. Present it on your phone at the TSA checkpoint and boarding gate — no paper needed.
Do I need to print my boarding pass if I have a mobile one?
No. A mobile boarding pass works at every TSA checkpoint and Delta gate. Taking a screenshot as a backup is still smart in case your phone loses battery or signal at the airport.
When does online check-in close for Delta flights?
Online check-in closes 60 minutes before domestic departures and 90 minutes before international departures. Check in as early as you can within the 24-hour window to avoid cutting it close.
What is Delta’s baggage check-in deadline?
Since April 2025, checked bags for domestic flights must be dropped off at least 45 minutes before departure at most U.S. airports. JFK and St. Croix (STX) require 60 minutes; St. Thomas (STT) requires 90 minutes. International deadlines range from 60 to 120 minutes depending on the destination.
Ready to Board
Getting your Delta boarding pass takes less than 10 minutes when you check in online. Start 24 hours before your flight, pick your format, and get your bags to the drop-off counter well before the deadline. With your boarding pass ready and your ID in hand, you can skip the stress and focus on the trip.
References
- Check-In Overview — Delta Air Lines
- Domestic Check-In Time Requirements — Delta Air Lines
- International Check-In Time Requirements — Delta Air Lines
- Baggage Fees and Policies — Delta Air Lines
- Delta Air Lines Changes Checked Baggage Deadline for Domestic Flights — TravelPulse, 2025
- Delta Air Lines Boarding Zones Guide — Upgraded Points, 2025