Originally Posted by
RossClanMan
Actually I made it there 4:17pm/4:18pm give or take a few seconds. So I was within the 15 minute window, and the ticket clearly states that it is not 15 minutes before, but 10 minutes.
T-10 is when the door closes. They will give away your seat starting at T-15.
Originally Posted by https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/support/conditions-of-carriage.jsp
Be at the gate and ready to board the plane:
- 15 minutes before departure on domestic flights
- 30 minutes before departure for international flights
If you're not, we may reassign your seat to another passenger.
The doors close 10 minutes before departure and you will not be allowed to board once the doors close.