What is a gate check?

Also called gate-checked bag

A gate check is when a carry-on is tagged and stowed in the hold at the boarding gate — usually because the overhead bins are full or the bag is over the cabin size limit. You hand it over as you board and collect it on the jet bridge or at the carousel.

Before a gate check, move anything fragile, valuable, or essential — electronics, medication, documents — into a smaller bag you keep with you, since the bag travels in the hold.

Related terms

Carry-on
Checked baggage
Personal item

Updated July 2, 2026

Get packed without the guesswork — get Alba, free on iPhone and Android. Browse the full travel glossary or our guides.