Online Check-In: Everything You Need to Know in 2021 (2024)

FAQs

What information does online check-in need? ›

In order to check-in online you will need your flight details, your PNR (aka booking number or confirmation number) and your passport number, if you are on an international flight. You also need to know the number of bags you'll be checking in.

In some cases when online check-in isn't working you may have been flagged in the system. This could either be due to: Technical reasons, such as the name on your ticket doesn't match the name on your I.D, they need to move your seat, or any other mismatching issues. Security reasons, such as extra screening.

Online check-in lets you check in from your home or office and print your own boarding pass. You can also choose to have a link to your boarding pass emailed to your mobile device.

You'll need to bring your home printed boarding pass or confirmation of check-in document and your passport to show before you board the plane. When you check in online, you'll get boarding passes or Confirmation of Check In for both your outward and return flights.

For a short-haul flight where you are only taking hand luggage, checking in online saves a lot of time and is therefore much better than checking in at the airport. If, on the other hand, you have to check in bulky luggage, it is better to use the classic check-in at the airport for security reasons.

If you're strategically waiting to check in for your flight, do it at least a few hours before your flight leaves to save your flight reservation. Overall, if you're the type of person who wants to save money by refraining from paying for a seat assignment, early check-in is your best bet for a not-awful seat.

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 you have to answer TSA questions? ›

If you are a U.S. citizen, you need only answer questions establishing your identity and citizenship, although refusing to answer routine questions about the nature and purpose of your travel could result in delay and/or further inspection.

Boarding Pass

Passengers are requested to carry a print out of their boarding card once they have completed their mobile Check-in. The boarding pass can also be obtained from one of the IndiGo counters at the airport. However, it is recommended to take the print in advance to skip the queue.

If you are having trouble printing your boarding passes, this may be related to security requirements. The security reason is displayed by the passenger name. if you encounter this issue, you can collect your boarding pass from the check-in counter at the airport once the security requirements have been completed.

You can use your mobile boarding pass at most airports. Before you leave, check to see if your departure or connecting airports accept mobile boarding passes: Does my airport accept mobile boarding passes? Find your airport, then look under 'Airport details' to see if mobile boarding passes are available.

In most cases, you will only need to go to check-in when you have checked-in online if you need to drop off an item of hold baggage. Please ensure that you are aware of the hand baggage requirements for your specific airline before you travel.

If you check in online in advance and don't have to check any luggage, you can be at the airport t 90 minutes for domestic flights. In general, most airlines recommend being at the airport at least two hours before departure.

Yes, you can check in online also when you travel with baggage. If you have baggage to check in, you can leave it at the Bag Drop desk during your flight's check-in period.

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.

If you do available online check in for traditional airline, you don't need to print it but you do need to have it in your mobile. If you do check in at the airport, the desk clerk will hand you a paper boarding pass. Be sure to keep it as you need the document to board the plane (with your passport of course).

Getty. An SSSS code on a boarding pass stands for “Secondary Security Screening Selection.” While somewhat of an annoyance, this code only means you have been flagged to undergo additional security screening procedures.

When should you not check-in for a flight? ›

The TSA advises arriving at the airport two hours before your flight for domestic travel and three hours before for international travel. If you're traveling during peak times like early morning or evening, or during holidays and other events, please plan accordingly and allow for extra time.

Beyond ensuring you can get on the plane, Keyes also notes there are other goodies to be had by checking in as early as you can on an airline's website or app. "Sometimes airlines allow seat selection after check-in or at least have first pick compared to folks who check-in later," he says.

There are minimal risks to checking in online, so as long as you give yourself time to deal with any unexpected setbacks, checking in for your flight online is the easiest way to travel. If the option is available, it's the best way to make your airport experience a little less frenzied.

Online check-in still has massive potential

Around 15% of passengers use the self-service check-in terminals at airports, meaning that in fact, only around 39% use online check-in via their computer, tablet or smartphone.

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.

Check-in at the Airport

Officials at the counter will check the required documents to verify your identity. After verification, you will be issued a boarding pass which will have all the details of your travel like Flight number, seat number, scheduled departure time of the flight.

Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

TSA PreCheck is not a free benefit with any airline status. However, Delta Diamond Medallion, Delta 360°, United 1K and United Global Services members receive a free CLEAR® Plus membership as a benefit. CLEAR Plus expedites identity verification at the TSA checkpoint, using biometric data.

What do you have to take out of your bag at airport security? ›

Remove the 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin. Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on). Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.

Plus, a poorly printed boarding pass can render your ticket useless at the gate. Hoeller points out that printing a paper ticket and neatly folding it into your passport is much easier than juggling between your personal items and phone.

Generally, all you need to do is to show your boarding pass to airline and airport staff when asked by opening up whichever app you have it stored in on your smartphone. Depending on your airline, your boarding pass may even display automatically on your smartphone's screen when you arrive at the airport.

Carry a printed copy or soft copy of your boarding pass and bag tag, you can alternatively print the same from the airport kiosk.

If your email boarding pass on your mobile device looks like either of the examples below (no or partial barcode showing) or other information is missing, you can do one of the following: Check in again and select Print Boarding Pass Now option to print at home. Reprint at a kiosk at the airport.

Re: Printing Multiple Passenger's Boarding Passes

Anyone who has the confirmation number and a name on the reservation can print the boarding passes and you can access the passes online as many times as you would like.

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.

Use a boarding pass, ticket, or other pass in Apple Wallet

When you add a boarding pass, ticket, or other pass to the Wallet app, you can use it with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

What does it look like? Usually, a mobile boarding pass contains the airline's logo, a QR code, your name, the flight information (date, departure time, gate, seat, etc.) and, if you're a TSA Precheck member, a “TSA Pre” mark.

You might not be able to check in using the app, if: Your first flight is not operated by American Airlines. You're traveling with a pet, weapon or firearm. You're an unaccompanied minor.

Does online check-in do anything? ›

What is Online Check-in? Passengers confirm their presence on a flight by making a seat selection through online check-in. Passengers can select their seats or purchase additional services. You can drop off your baggage at a counter separated for you.

When I click on "Why can't I check in?", it gives this message..... Here are some reasons why you may not be able to check in online: You can only be checked in for one trip at a time. If you are flying Delta more than once within a 24 hour period, you will be able to check in once your previous trip is complete.

You can print your boarding pass online, at the airport using a self-service kiosk, or from the ticket counter on the day of departure, prior to your flight's scheduled departure time.

Online check-in is available if you've got checked baggage or carry-on baggage. Carry-on baggage: check in online, get your boarding pass and go straight to the boarding gate.

Fly Delta App

When you're logged in, you'll be automatically checked in 24 hours before your flight, and you can use Today Mode to see your boarding pass, baggage tracker and more.