Explained: Why You Can't Board A Flight After The Gate Closes

Explained: Why You Can't Board A Flight After The Gate Closes

• Airline boarding doors close 10 to 15 minutes before departure to avoid delays and extra costs.
• Delta Air Lines, the most punctual North American airline in 2023, prioritizes safe and on-time departures.
• After the boarding door closes, gate agents report passenger counts and ramp agents report baggage counts.

Airline boarding doors cannot be reopened once closed. Experienced fliers know boarding begins up to an hour before the departure time. Depending on the airline, boarding doors are closed 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.

During those final minutes before departure, the ground crew and flight crew do their final safety checks and prepare for an on-time departure. If the door is reopened, the flight may be delayed, inconveniencing passengers and costing airlines money and credibility.

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On-time departures

On-time departures are critical for airlines. Delays affect productivity and cost airlines millions of dollars every year. According to OAG, a data platform for the global travel industry, airlines measure and evaluate their on-time departures and delays to identify improvements to their operations.

Both large and small businesses consider airlines' on-time performance records when selecting an airline for their travel needs. This evaluation is important for business travelers who are frequently on the move. Timely arrivals and departures can significantly impact scheduling and business operations. Businesses often prefer punctual airlines to minimize travel disruptions and maximize efficiency.

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According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, Delta Air Lines was the most on-time North American airline in 2023.

Above all, we prioritize safe and on-time departures, said London White, Delta Air Lines Operation Service Manager, Safety is our number one priority, and that is why we try not to reopen the door.

Photo: Mulevich / Shutterstock

Delta Air Lines Baggage Coordinator, Stephanie Darring recognizes that some passengers may believe reopening the boarding door after closing is not a significant issue.

“Reopening the boarding door can cause a series of events which could affect other passengers’ connections and the safety of the ground crew,” said Stephanie.

Photo: Juice Flair / Shutterstock

Before her current role, Stephanie was a gate agent for six years and briefly a ramp agent before receiving her promotion. She explained airlines strive to meet certain timely metrics on every flight.

For example, Delta Air Lines gate agents must close the aircraft door, and ramp agents must close the aircraft bin door by a certain time before departure. The airline cannot reopen boarding doors for late passengers to maintain a safe working environment and prevent agents from rushing through their tasks.

Airline tasks after the boarding door is closed

Standby passengers

After final boarding announcements are made, gate agents verify that missing passengers are not onboard and board the passengers standing by for the flight. For example, if an airline’s final boarding time is 15 minutes before departure, missing passengers' seats are canceled at that time and given to those standing by for the flight. Once boarded, the boarding door is closed, and the airline prepares for departure.

Sending final numbers

After the last passengers are boarded, the gate and ramp agent are responsible for reporting accurate passenger and baggage counts to know the weight and balance of the aircraft. These final numbers are crucial to determine the pilot’s flight plan and the amount of fuel needed for the flight.

Passenger count

Before closing the aircraft door, gate agents double-check that any passengers marked as not boarded are indeed not on the plane. Once they've confirmed this, they send the total count of passengers and infants in arms in each cabin, and the number of cockpit or cabin jump seats.

Baggage count

Often, on full flights, the overhead bin space becomes full towards the end of boarding. Once full, the passengers must gate-check their bags. Once their bags are tagged, ramp agents load these final gate-checked bags onto the flight. Ramp agents are responsible for sending the final baggage, mail, and freight numbers.

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Time of departure

Gate and ramp agents verify with the pilots and flight attendants that they are ready for departure. The aircraft door is closed, the jet bridge is detached, and the aircraft is marshaled out to the taxiway.

Photo:Svitlana Hulko / Shutterstock

Most airlines advise passengers on domestic flights to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure. For those flying internationally, arriving three hours in advance is recommended.

This timeframe provides travelers enough time to check in their luggage, navigate through the security checkpoints, and locate their departure gate with time to spare before boarding. This ensures a smooth and less stressful pre-flight experience, allowing passengers to address any unforeseen delays or issues without the risk of missing their flight.

Airline boarding doors are not reopened after closing to ensure on-time departures, a practice crucial for airlines as delays cost millions annually. Delta Air Lines, the most punctual North American airline in 2023, strictly follows the schedule to keep things running smoothly and safely.

When the doors close, it's the last chance for the airline to double-check passenger and luggage counts to help accurately plan the flight and fuel needs. This process also allows airlines to manage standby passengers and luggage needing to be checked at the gate. Keeping to the schedule helps ensure everyone's safety and reduces inconvenience for passengers and ground staff.

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