When it comes to checking bags, it pays to be early for the next business trip

With corporate travel on most major airlines getting more complicated, time-consuming and, at times, irritating, it’s good to give your busy road warriors a head’s up about when to check their luggage on their next business trip. Airlines are getting more insistent that air travelers check their baggage earlier, to help ensure their bags arrive when they do.

In the case of Delta Air Lines, domestic customers originating at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport are now required to check their baggage a minimum of 45 minutes prior to departure time. Effective Oct. 15 2007, the change applies to customers traveling on Delta, Delta Connection® carrier and codeshare flights operated by Delta.ew York's JFK.

Domestic customers not checking bags may continue to check in with a Delta agent or via a self-service kiosk 30 minutes prior to departure. Kiosks will automatically notify customers of the baggage policy change at check in if they have missed the 45-minute check-in window. The change at JFK matches Delta’s policy at other large airports in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando and Denver. Customers traveling internationally are still required to check their bags 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

So if your business travelers want to ensure their luggage shows up when they do, they’ll need to head to the airport a bit earlier for their next business trip—even if they end up grabbing another cup of coffee at the airport lounge while they wait.