Chattanooga Airport warns of new checked baggage deadline

You now need to check a bag at least 45 minutes before your flight

UPDATE:

Hart says that so far there have been no delays at the Chattanooga Airport despite delays nationwide.

He encourages passengers to check with their airlines that their flights are staying on time.

He added on the 45-minute luggage rule that, “If you arrive after that 45-minute window, they’re not going to be able to check your bag. So, we want to make sure everyone is taken care of and remind everyone to get to the airport early, especially if you’re going to be checking a bag.” 

EARLIER:

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Officials at the Chattanooga Airport are warning customers that they need to get there early for flights.

But this isn’t about security lines.

It’s about your luggage.

They say airlines now have a deadline window for checked luggage of 45 minutes before your scheduled departure.

“The airlines have always recommended arriving at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to leave and have had a cut-off on when passengers can check in for flights in place for some time,” said Terry Hart, president and CEO of Chattanooga Airport. “Our airport is busier than ever, and strictly adhering to a deadline policy for checked bags will support airlines in running efficiently and departing on schedule.”

The new TSA checkpoint system can’t take large suitcases, so you’ll need more time to check large bags at the counter.

This also seems to be a response from airlines to deal with the wave of delays hitting the entire flight system.

They say the earlier deadline will keep flights moving and hopefully keep you from missing a connecting flight.