If you don’t check in, you won’t receive a boarding pass that allows you to board the plane, and your seat might be given up to a standby passenger. The check-in process also confirms your traveler details like your passport information and frequent flyer number.
What's the advantage of online check-in?
Online check-in is advantageous for several reasons. The sooner you check in, the sooner you’re able to pick your seat, if you haven’t already.
If you’re flying on a basic economy ticket, this will be the first opportunity for you to select a seat. Seat selection is first-come, first-served, so it’s important to check in as soon as it’s allowed.
You’re also able to pay for an upgrade at this point—again, this is based on availability, so it’s in your best interest to check in sooner rather than later if you’re hoping to pay for an upgrade to a premium class.
If a flight is oversold, those who checked in last might have a higher risk of being bumped from the flight (though this varies by airline and fare, and involuntary bumps are rare; the airline will start by offering vouchers to volunteers.)
If you're not checking luggage, you can skip the check-in desk at the airport and head right to security.
Additionally, it’s important to check in online—as close to the 24-hour mark as possible—when flying on Southwest, as Southwest has open seating and boarding order is determined by check-in order (though there is an option to pay more for automatic early check-in).
At check-in, Southwest passengers are assigned a letter, starting with A, and a number 1-60. Group A boards first (with A1 the first passenger within the group), followed by Group B, etc. The longer you wait to check in for your flight, the farther back you’ll be in this boarding line. If you’re one of the last people to board, you’re choice of seats will be very limited.
How early can you check in for a flight online?
Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours prior to the flight. Some have a slightly longer window, up to 36 hours before the flight. Be sure to confirm the exact time with your airline.
Do I need to check in for each flight in my itinerary?
Typically you only need to check in once for your outbound itinerary and once for the return, particularly when all your flights are booked together. Sometimes when flying multiple airlines on an itinerary, you will need to wait until you arrive in your connecting airport to get the onward boarding pass, but you’ll have been considered checked in already.
Is it better to check in for a flight online or at the airport?
It’s typically better to check in online, since you can do so much sooner than you would be able to in person at the airport. As mentioned above, it’s especially important to check in early for a Southwest flight, since boarding order is determined by check-in order.
If you can't check in online—some airlines require you in-person check in for certain flights, especially when flying internationally—make sure you get to the airport with adequate time before your flight, as you might need to wait in a long line.
Each airline also has a cut-off time for check-in: it’s usually about 45 minutes before domestic flights and 90 minutes before international flights, but the exact times vary by airline.
Can I check in for a flight online if I'm checking bags?
Yes, you can check in online for a flight even if you plan to check bags. You’ll still have to tag your bags and drop them off in the departures hall at the airport, but in some cases, checking in online might be able to save you time, as some airlines have specific bag drop lines for passengers who have already checked-in (and paid any applicable fees for checked bags) online.
You may need to use a self-service kiosk at the airport to print luggage tags before depositing your bags on the conveyor belt, or you might have to see a desk agent.
How early do you have to be at the airport if you have checked in online?
If you’ve checked in online, it’s typically recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours for international ones.
There are many variables at play, such as how busy the airport is, whether or not you’re checking luggage (every airline has its own cut-off time after which no more checked luggage will be accepted), and whether or not you have access to an expedited security line through programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. Priority passengers, like those with business class tickets or frequent-flyer status, might also have access to expedited lines.
We recommend confirming timing with your airline or checking the recommendation issues by the specific airport.
What happens in you don't check in for your flight?
If you don't check in for your flight by the cut-off time, you may be denied boarding. The airline may bump you to the next available flight.
If you are a no-show, you'll likely lose the value of your ticket.
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FAQs
The check-in process at airports enables passengers to confirm they will be on the correct flight, obtain a boarding pass, possibly select their seat (if hasn't happened already and is allowed by airline), and check in luggage onto a plane, if desired.
What is the meaning of check-in in flight? ›
Airport check-in is the process whereby an airline approves airplane passengers to board an airplane for a flight. Airlines typically use service counters found at airports for this process, and the check-in is normally handled by an airline itself or a handling agent working on behalf of an airline.
What happens when you check-in for a flight online? ›
When you check in online, you will receive your boarding pass on your mobile phone. It is best to print out your boarding pass after checking in online and take it with you to the airport. Alternatively, you can show the QR code on your smartphone.
What happens if you don't check-in online for a flight? ›
If you don't check in, you won't receive a boarding pass that allows you to board the plane, and your seat might be given up to a standby passenger. The check-in process also confirms your traveler details like your passport information and frequent flyer number.
What does "you need to check in" mean? ›
to report your arrival, esp. at an airport or hotel, so that you can get the service you are paying for: Be sure to check in at least an hour before your flight.
What is the difference between a boarding pass and a check-in? ›
Spot the difference between Check-in and Boarding Pass.
A boarding pass is a hard copy or a document printed at check-in either manually through the website at the airport or through the kiosk. It is necessary for the one to print the boarding pass after check-in as this will have your approval to get aboard.
Why do airlines want you to check-in? ›
When all the preparations are done in advance, flights can depart on time. From customer's point of view check-in's main function is to assign customer with a seat unless the seat has already been selected, accept baggage that is to go in the aircraft's cargo hold and to issue a boarding pass.
Is it better to check-in online or at the airport? ›
The biggest benefit of checking in online is bypassing the lines at the airport. You can skip waiting in line to check in, then possibly–if the airline allows it for your flight–skip waiting in a second line to check your luggage, and instead head straight to security.
Do you need to check in at the airport if you checked in online? ›
I have checked in online and have no hold baggage, do I need to go to check-in? If you have checked in and have a printed or mobile boarding pass and are not checking in any hold luggage you can go straight to security and through to the departure lounge.
Do I need to print my boarding pass if I checked in online? ›
Generally speaking, we like to err on the side of caution and suggest you print out your boarding pass, even if you already checked in online and have a mobile version on your phone.
One disadvantage is certainly that many people have poor time management and arrive too late at the airport if they check in online. For some, this can lead to unwanted time pressure. On the other hand, those who still have to check in at the airport itself usually arrive early enough and are therefore over-punctual.
Do I need to check-in online before a flight? ›
Check-in counters at the airport open two (2) hours before departure for domestic flights and three (3) hours before departure for international flights. We recommend checking in online to avoid long lines at the airport and so you can proceed to drop off your baggage, if applicable.
What is the point of checking in for a flight? ›
Checking in
The check-in process at airports enables passengers to confirm they will be on the correct flight, obtain a boarding pass, possibly select their seat (if hasn't happened already and is allowed by airline), and check in luggage onto a plane, if desired.
Does a boarding pass mean you are checked in? ›
Not technically. Your boarding pass is your “ticket” to board the plane, but technically your ticket is generated as an “e-ticket,” or an electronic ticket, when you book your flight. Your boarding pass will be generated upon check-in, either online or at the check-in counter.
What happens if you don't check in 24 hours before your flight? ›
If you don't meet your check-in time limits, we have the right to deny service. We may cancel your reservations, deny boarding, or refuse to check your bags.
Do you get both boarding passes when you check-in? ›
If your flight is all under one reservation you will receive a boarding pass for your departure flight and a boarding pass for your connecting flight(s) when you check in.
Can I get a boarding pass without checking in? ›
You will receive it only after check-in. Normally, you will receive your boarding pass at the check-in counter after handing in your flight ticket. If you use online check-in, you can download your boarding pass up to 24 to 48 hours before departure, depending on the airline and flight.
How early can you check-in for a flight? ›
If you're checking in at the airline kiosk, contact your airline and ask when they open for check-ins. Generally, US airlines open check-ins three hours before departure.
What happens if I don't check-in? ›
If you don't check in online for your holiday, most airlines will still let you do it when you get to the airport. They'll just have to allocate your seats from what's left. It's important to know that some airlines apply a charge for airport check-in, though.
Is it better to check-in early or late for a flight? ›
Check-in as early as possible
When you check-in for a flight, it just puts you in the best possible position for communications with the airline.
Boarding is the next step after completing your check-in. Passengers get into the aircraft after completing their check-in through websites, counters or kiosks. The difference between boarding and check-in is boarding is done vis-a-vis while check-in can be done through mobile phones.
What is the difference between check-in and boarding at the airport? ›
It is just a long version of the term boarding. The answer to “what does plane boarding mean?” has the same answer. Boarding is the next step after completing your check-in. Passengers get into the aircraft after completing their check-in through websites, counters or kiosks.
What is the difference between baggage and check-in? ›
Check-in baggage is submitted to the aircraft authority before at the airport itself and can be collected on arrival at the baggage claim belt. Hand baggage or cabin bag is what you carry with you on the flight, storing it in the overhead bin above the seat.
How early can I check-in for my flight? ›
You can check in 24 hours before your flight. Make sure to have the necessary travel documents if you're traveling internationally, like your passport or visa.
What is the difference between carry on and check-in? ›
A carry-on bag goes on the plane with you and must fit in the overhead compartment. Checked luggage is relinquished to the airline at the airport and stored in the plane's cargo hold area, which is inaccessible to you during your flight.
