We all know how it feels to be stressed before a holiday. Making sure you’ve packed everything you need and that the luggage is the right weight, compiling passports and important documents, planning your itinerary, and getting to the airport on time – and that’s just half the battle! Checking in for a flight can be a task in itself, with long queues and long waits, and you may not even get the seats that you want.
Luckily, as technology improves, so does your travelling experience. So what is online check in? Increasingly offered by almost every major airline, online check in allows you to check in for your flight in advance from the comfort of your home, office, or hotel room.
So why check in online when you can just do it at the airport? If you check in online for your flight, using either your airline’s website or its mobile app, you will save heaps of time at the airport. I like to be prepared and beat the queues, and online check in has never failed me there!
What are the benefits of online check in?
1. Airlines like it when you check in online
Airlines save money by reducing costs when you check in online: they need less paper, less staff at the check-in counter at the airport, and it saves time – and time is money, after all. This, in turn, allows them to offer cheaper fares! For this reason, budget airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair have made it compulsory to check in online – so if you’re wondering ‘do I have to check in online?’ – in some cases, yes.
2. Online check in is convenient for you, too
Checking in for a flight has never been easier: you can do it anytime, anywhere. All you have to do is connect to the internet and visit the airline’s website, or use their app on your smartphone.
3. Online check in saves you time
By completing your flight check in online, you will save a lot of time at the airport. Online check in is an absolute must if you’re only traveling with a carry-on and no checked luggage. So, if you check in online, what do you do at the airport? Simply turn up at the airport with your printed boarding pass (or a digital copy on your phone), go straight to the security checkpoint, then to your gate and onto the plane! It’s just like magic.
If you have luggage to check, online check in can still save you some time. Some airlines have a designated desk where you can drop off your bag without having to go through the whole check in process.
4. You can improve your flight with online check in
One of the best things about checking in online is being about to choose your seat. I love getting a window seat for the dreamy views! So when can you check in online? Most airlines allow online check in up to 24 hours before departure, but the earlier you do it the better, as you’ll have more available seats to choose from.
How to check in online
To check in online, simply visit the website of your airline or download their app if they have one. You will need your flight details, your booking number, and your passport number (if you are on an international flight). You also need to know how many bags you’ll be checking in.
Once you have completed the online check in process, you can print your boarding pass, have it emailed to you, or access it in a mobile app. It’s always safest to print out a physical copy, too.
While this will definitely save you time at the airport, don’t miss your flight! To allow time for checking luggage, getting through security, and making your way to your gate, it’s best to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance. Allow more time during busy holiday periods or if you’re travelling internationally.
When you shouldn’t (or can’t) check in online
Unfortunately, online check in is not always available. There are a few reasons why you may have to check in at the airport instead of online:
- You are travelling in a large group
- Your first flight is not operated by the airline with which you’re trying to check in, but by a codeshare partner
- You need a special service (such as a wheelchair or assistance for a child travelling alone)
- You’ve been selected for secondary security screening
- The airline doesn’t have your passport on file for an international flight
- Sometimes, airlines might not allow you to check-in online or at the counter if you are unable to produce your visa at the time
It is important to remember that even if online check in is available, some airports may not accept mobile boarding passes. In addition, apps can crash and phones can die, so carry a printout of your boarding pass too. Better safe than sorry!
So overall, when possible, I would always recommend checking in online as early as you can. Save yourself the hassle ahead of time and you’ll thank yourself at the airport! Luckily, almost all major airlines offer online check in nowadays!
