Flying on Thursday from St. Louis to Cancun. We have to change planes in Dallas. My question is my first leg of the trip -- am I considered an international traveler? (since it's a connecting flight) or not? I'm trying to figure out if I need to be at the airport 2 hours before or 3 hours before.

I've flown internationally a couple of times, but it was when I lived on the East Coast and the flights were direct.

Thanks.

You don't need to be at the airport early. Your regular 1.5 hours + (more or less) would be enough.

I don't know if AA has separate "international" check-in desks at STL. If they do, use them.

Only general advice here. I do not/have not flown from St Louis airport.

Here goes - What you are considered doesn't really matter.

What does matter is how crowded the airport is at the time and day of the week you will be checking in and flying.

Many airports are very crowded Mon and Fri morning and early evenings. That will determine how long checking in and getting to your gate takes.

You don't want any checked bags to miss that first flight. So, don't get to St Louis at the very last moment.

Yes, every bag has to fly with it's owner. They still sometimes go astray.

By the way, have a great trip.

Ok, this makes sense --- STL is not that busy of an airport -- not like Newark, NJ which I use to fly out of all the time -- so I'll do 2 hours before time.

I'm lazy I don't want to have to get up an earlier to travel than I have.

and yes - since you are going to Mexico - you are considered an international traveler......

Airlines always <b>suggest</b> you to check-in 3 hours before an international flight. But that's only a suggestion. I have flown perhaps 150 international flights in my life, and I have got to the airport 3 hours before only once - at CDG.