What is the airline check-in process?

Check-in is the process wherein, after the confirmation of flight reservation, the passengers are able to make special requests, buy extra baggage and meals, select seats of choice and, in the end, get the boarding pass to board the flight.

What are the methods of performing check-in?

The check-in can be performed-
a) At the airport, either at the airline counter or using the kiosk machine.
b) Online through the website or mobile application of the airline.

What are the benefits of online check in?

Online check-in is a win-win situation for the passengers, airline companies and airport authorities. The passengers are able to make their requests, select seats and add baggage without having to go to the airports. They are able to avoid long queues and hassles at the airport. For the airlines, this is good because they do not have to manage long queues and hoards of people arriving at the time of flight. For the airport authorities, web check-in facility prevents overwhelming crowding of airports and helps in regular maintenance of the airport.

Is there any eligibility criteria for web check-in?

There are certain passengers who are not eligible for online check-in. These passengers are required to report to the airline counter either for document verification or for availing some special services. Examples of such persons are pregnant women, unaccompanied minors, disabled persons, international travelers etc. People having check-in bag can do online check in but they have to leave their bags for tagging at the designated counters at airport before proceeding for security checks.

Are there any time deadlines or cut-off times for different methods of checking in?

There are time deadlines within which the check-in shall be performed. These vary from one airline to another and from one airport to another. Generally, the airlines do publish or inform the passengers about the time by which they are required to be at the counter for checking in, the closing time of the counter and also the time by which the passenger shall be at the boarding gate of the airline. Do check when the online or airport check-in opens and closes.

Similarly, for the online check-in, there are starting and closure times of web check-in within which this shall be performed.

Do check all the details of checking in for various airlines here.