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How to Check In for a Flight: Online, at the Airport, and When It Opens
October 23, 2026
Check-in (registering for your flight) is done in two ways: online on the airline's website or app (usually 24 to 48 hours before departure) or at the airport counters on the day of the flight. In this process you confirm you are coming, choose a seat, get your boarding pass and send your large suitcases to the hold, if you have any.
Traveling abroad is always exciting, but the preparation steps at the airport can cause quite a bit of stress, especially for first-time travelers or people who haven't flown in a long time. The first and most important step once you arrive at the airport (or even the day before) is check-in. It is your official registration for the flight, in which the airline confirms that you really intend to board, assigns you a seat and issues your boarding pass. Without it, you can't go through security and reach the departure gate.
Online check-in vs airport check-in: which is better?
Today most airlines actively encourage passengers to check in online in advance. In fact, with low-cost airlines (such as Ryanair, Wizz Air or easyJet), not checking in online can cost you a significant fee of tens of euros per ticket if you choose to do it at the airport counter. With full-service airlines (such as El Al or Lufthansa), the service at the airport is still free, but it involves standing in long, tiring lines.
Online check-in
This is the most convenient, fastest and most recommended option. It usually opens between 24 and 48 hours before departure (with some low-cost airlines it can open several days in advance if you bought an assigned seat). You go to the airline's website or app from wherever you are, enter your booking code (PNR) and last name, and fill in the required details. At the end of the process, you get a PDF file or a digital boarding pass on your phone.
Airport check-in
If you didn't manage to check in online, or if you are flying a full-service airline that doesn't charge for the service at the airport, you can go to the airline's service counters in the terminal. The agent will ask for your passport, weigh and send off your large suitcases, and print a physical boarding pass for you. Keep in mind that lines at these counters can be very long, especially in peak season.
Step-by-step guide: how to check in online
So you don't get stuck, here are the simple steps for checking in from your couch or your phone:
- Prepare your documents in advance: make sure you have your booking code (a 6-character code of letters and numbers that appears in the purchase confirmation you received by email), a valid passport (valid for at least 6 more months) and your address or hotel details at the destination if the country requires it (such as the US or the UK).
- Log in: go to the airline's website or official app and click the "Check-In" or "Manage Booking" tab.
- Enter the passenger details: type your booking code and your last name exactly as it appears in your passport.
- Choose a seat and extras: the system will offer you a seat (sometimes for a fee and sometimes free, depending on the airline and ticket type). This is also the stage to add extra bags if you haven't already: buying baggage at this stage is much cheaper than buying it at the airport.
- Security declaration: you will be asked to confirm that you are not carrying dangerous goods in your carry-on or suitcase.
- Get your boarding pass: save the barcode on your phone (it is a good idea to take a screenshot in case there is no internet signal at the airport) or print it on paper to be safe.
What happens to the suitcases? (Bag drop and checking in baggage)
One of the most common questions among travelers is: "If I checked in online, what do I do with my big suitcase?" The answer depends on the type of baggage you are bringing on the flight:
- If you are flying with only a backpack or trolley (carry-on): and you checked in online, you don't need to go to the check-in counters at the airport at all! You can go straight to security with the digital boarding pass on your phone.
- If you have a large suitcase to send to the hold (checked baggage): even if you checked in online, you need to go to the counters at the airport to hand over the suitcase. However, many airports have dedicated fast counters called "Baggage Drop-off" or self-service stations (Self Bag Drop), where you scan your boarding pass, print a tag for the suitcase and send it down the belt yourself, saving you the long lines at the regular counters.
| Comparison | Carry-on bag or trolley | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Where do you check in? | Online in the app (recommended) or at the airport | Online, plus handing it over at a bag drop counter at the airport |
| When do you arrive at the airport? | About two hours before the flight (if there are no unusual lines) | About 3 hours before the flight (to drop off your baggage) |
| Where is it stored on the flight? | In the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you | In the hold (no access during the flight) |
| Liquid restrictions | Required: containers of up to 100 ml in a clear bag | No volume limit per bottle (within reason) |
Pro tips: how to get through check-in like a pro
As a family business that has been accompanying travelers for five decades (since 1975), we have seen almost every possible mistake at the airport. Here are some practical tips that will save you time, money and unnecessary stress:
- Install the airline's app in advance: don't rely on opening the email at the airport. The app will send you real-time notifications when check-in opens, about gate changes or flight delays.
- Weigh your suitcases at home: airlines are very strict about weight. Going over by just one kilo can cost you tens of dollars at the counter. Use a handheld luggage scale at home so you arrive relaxed.
- Mark your suitcase clearly: use quality, durable ID tags with your details (name, phone and email). It is also a very good idea to put a smart tracker (such as an Apple AirTag) inside the suitcase so you can know exactly where it is at any moment from your phone.
- Get your toiletry bag ready for security: if you are flying with carry-on only, remember that all liquids (creams, toothpaste, perfume) must be in containers of up to 100 ml, packed together in a clear resealable bag. Take this bag out in advance and put it in the security tray to avoid unnecessary delays.
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Frequently asked questions
What happens if I forgot to check in online?
With full-service airlines (such as El Al, Lufthansa and others) you can do it at the airport at no extra cost. With low-cost airlines (such as Ryanair or Wizz Air), however, you will have to pay a hefty fee at the airport counter. That is why it is always a good idea to set a reminder on your phone 24 hours before the flight.
How long before the flight does check-in close?
With most airlines, online check-in closes between one and two hours before the official departure time. The physical check-in counters at the airport usually close exactly 60 minutes before departure for international flights, and you can't drop off suitcases after that.
Do I need to print my boarding pass?
In most cases there is no need to print it, and you can show the barcode directly on your phone screen or in the app. However, some specific destinations or airlines still require a printed pass, so it is a good idea to keep one paper copy as a backup and check the airline's instructions in your confirmation email.
What is the difference between check-in and security screening?
Check-in is the registration process with the airline, in which you get your boarding pass and drop off your suitcases. Security is the next stage, run by the airport authorities, in which you and your carry-on bags are scanned to make sure you are not taking banned items into the departure area.
Can I check in the whole family together?
Yes, absolutely. If all family members are under the same booking code (PNR), you can check everyone in online at once, enter everyone's passport details and get all the boarding passes together.
Do I have to check in from home if I have no suitcase to check?
Yes, especially in that case. If you are flying with carry-on only and checked in from home, you can skip the check-in counters at the airport entirely and go straight to security, which saves you valuable time.
