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What is check in airport?

3 Answer(s) Available
Answer # 1 #

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. Passengers usually hand over any baggage that they do not wish or are not allowed to carry in the aircraft's cabin and receive a boarding pass before they can proceed to board their aircraft.

Check-in is usually the first procedure for a passenger when arriving at an airport, as airline regulations require passengers to check in by certain times prior to the departure of a flight. This duration spans from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the destination and airline (with self check in, this can be expanded to 30 days, if checking in by online processes). During this process, the passenger often has the ability to ask for special accommodations such as seating preferences, inquire about flight or destination information, accumulate frequent flyer program miles, or pay for upgrades. The airline check-in's main function, however, is to accept luggage that is to go in the aircraft's cargo hold and issue boarding passes. The required time is sometimes written in the reservation, sometimes written somewhere in websites, and sometimes only referred as "passengers should allow sufficient time for check-in".

In-town check-in service is a service offered by some cities such as Abu Dhabi, Seoul, Hong Kong, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur–International, London, Stockholm, Vienna and Taipei, where passengers may check in luggage in designated places within the city but outside the airport. This reduces check-in time and queuing at the airport.

If passenger is checked in for only one sector of the flight, then it is called destination or point check-in.

If a passenger is checked on all the onward flights and has boarding passes for all the connecting flights and bags are also through checked i.e. passenger does not need to recheck him/herself and the baggage again on the transit, then the check-in is known as through check-in.

At the time of check-in, one of the agent's primary duties is to check for valid documents. This includes tickets, passports, visas, letters of consent, and in some cases, passengers' address and contact details to comply with immigration requirements.

Some airlines may ask passengers to present the original credit card used for payment.

At the time of check-in, the passenger hands over baggage which is checked by the airport security and may be sealed (subject to the security regulations in that country). Anything that is above the weight limit or which is not allowed to be carried by the passenger themselves in the aircraft cabin is usually handed over to the agent at the time of check-in. The baggage allowance, if any, is prescribed by the airline and anything in excess will warrant additional surcharges.

Some airlines have a self-check-in process allowing passengers with bags to check-in at Self Bag Drop machines. Passengers then attach the baggage tag and drop the bag at the baggage drop belt. Passengers without checked luggage can go straight to the lounge (if entitled to lounge access) and check in at the kiosk there using their ePass (a small RFID device only for its premium customers) or proceed straight to the departure gate. Many airlines use electronic check-in such as ePass, mPass, or similar mobile apps, and these applications serve as the boarding pass.

Usually at the time of check-in, an option of selecting a specific seat is offered, with passengers asked if they prefer a window or an aisle seat.

Online check-in is the process in which passengers confirm their presence on a flight via the Internet and typically print their own boarding passes. Depending on the carrier and the specific flight, passengers may also enter details such as meal options and baggage quantities and select their preferred seating.

This service is generally promoted by the airlines to passengers as being easier and faster because it reduces the time a passenger would normally spend at an airport check-in counter. Some airlines, however, would still require passengers to proceed to a check-in counter at the airport, regardless of preferred check-in method, for document verification (e.g., to travel to countries where a visa is required, or to ensure the credit card used to purchase is genuine and/or matches the identity of the person who made the purchase). If passengers need to continue the check-in process at the airport after performing an online check-in, a special lane is typically offered to them to reduce wait times unless all desks are designated as baggage drop-off points. Furthermore, online check-in for a flight is often available earlier than its in-person counterpart. The process then transfers to passengers' control over their check-in. Airlines may use the system because self-service is frequently more efficient to operate, with a greater ability to cope with surges in passenger numbers. It also lessens activity at the airport, saving airlines money and reducing passenger waiting times.

Ryanair charges passengers a fee which can amount to 60 Euros for not using online check-in, except in certain limited circumstances. Furthermore, by the start of 2010, all passengers were required to check in online, therefore abolishing the use of check-in desks. Despite this, passengers are still charged to print their boarding cards out.

Online check-in is increasingly becoming required in other legacy carriers, particularly in Europe as the airport check-in desks are being relegated as baggage drop points only.

Alaska Airlines was the first to offer online check-in. The system was first offered on a limited basis starting in the second quarter of 1999, and was available to the general public on selected flights the following quarter. Since then, a growing number of airlines have introduced the system.

British Airways were the first airline to deploy online check-in globally having sealed approval from both the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority and FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) for use of the 3-D Barcode technology.

Typically, web-based check-in for airline travel is offered on the airline's website not earlier than 24 hours before a flight's scheduled departure or seven days for Internet Check-In Assistant. However, some airlines allow a longer time, such as easyJet, which opens it 30 days beforehand. Depending on the airline, there can be benefits of better seating or upgrades to first class or business class offered to the first people to check in for a flight. In order to meet this demand, some sites have offered travelers the ability to request an airline check-in prior to the 24-hour window and receive airline boarding passes by email when available from the airline. Some airlines charge for the privilege of early check-in before the 24-hour window opens, thus capitalising on the demand for desirable seats such as those immediately behind a bulkhead or emergency exit row, such as Ryanair, which allow check-in up to 60 days before the flight for passengers who pay for a seat reservation.

In the mid-late 2000s, checking in was made possible using a passenger's mobile phone or PDA. A GPRS or 4G-capable smartphone or an internet-capable PDA is required in most instances (Finnair allows check-in by text message), and the check-in feature may be accessed by keying in a website on the mobile phone's browser or by downloading a dedicated application. The process is then similar to that which one would expect when checking in using a personal computer.

At the end of the mobile check-in process, some airlines send a mobile boarding pass to a passenger's mobile device, which can be scanned at the airport during security checks and boarding. However, others send an electronic confirmation with a barcode that can be presented to the staff at check-in or scanned at the kiosks to continue the check-in process (i.e., to have boarding passes issued).

One disadvantage of early check-in is that it puts a restriction on a person's agent changing their flight. As the ticket coupon has to be reset back to OPEN again prior to any changes being made, this may take some time to arrange.

If the passenger carries a first or business class ticket or presents a certain frequent flyer program membership card (usually the higher-level tiers), or any other arrangements with the carrier, access to the premium check-in area and/or the lounge may be offered.

Premium check-in areas vary among airlines and airports. The main airport in which an airline hub is located normally offers a more thorough and exclusive premium check-in experience, normally inside a separate check-in lounge. For example, Air New Zealand's Auckland International premium check-in lounge provides a dedicated customs clearance counter and direct shortcut access to the security checkpoints. Airlines operating in minor airports generally offer an exclusive and separate premium check-in queue lane, often combined for its first, business, and/or premium economy passengers.

Singapore Airlines also offers this service to First Class and Suites passengers, whose flights depart Singapore Changi Airport's Terminal 3. These passengers have a dedicated curb side entrance and can wait at couches while staff assist them in checking-in. They are then led to a dedicated passport control counter.

Emirates provides its first-class/business-class customers with individual and separate check-in lane at its hub DXB, to divide most economy-class customers from main check-in lobby apart, and then ensuring those first-class/business-class customers' privacy.

SkyTeam provides the priority check-in service "SkyPriority", whose members could access the check-in counter to authorize the prioritized check-in service, along with the larger luggage capacity.

In some cities (including Dubai, Sharjah, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Chennai, Seoul, Vienna and Taipei), certain airlines provide in-town check-in services, allowing passengers to check their luggage at check-in counters located in railway or subway terminals as much as a day ahead of time. This service allows passengers to take a train to the airport without the burden of carrying their luggage to the airport terminal. In Seoul, for example, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Jeju Air offer check-in services at Seoul Station. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer in-town check-in at KL Sentral. In Taipei, China Airlines and EVA Air offer in-town check-in at Taipei Main Station.

Selected airports in London, Geneva & Zurich, people make use of baggage collection service such as Airport where bags are collected from home.

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Harrison Majorino
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Answer # 2 #

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Jérémie Clarke
Chief Business Officer
Answer # 3 #

Check-in desks

After arriving at the airport, you can find information about check-in for your flight on special information boards. The relevant information can also be obtained at an airport information desk, usually located near the bag drop-off area (check-in desks).

Important!

You should arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.

Important! Some airlines apply additional fees for airport counter check-in and printing of the boarding pass (e.g. np. Ryanair). Detailed information about boarding fees can be found in the Terms of Use of each operator. It is the duty of the passenger to be acquainted with the Terms of Use.

To avoid queues at check-in gates, you can use self-service check-in machines, which are available at most international airports.

Step by step

Important!

At certain airports, self-service check-in is available to passengers traveling with hand baggage only.

The largest airports provide self-service check-in services for checked luggage. In this case, you will receive a special tag or sticker tag to put on your bags. Baggage should be tagged and handed over at the baggage drop-off point.

Self-service check-in at the airport is free of charge.

Passengers of regular airlines who have purchased a flight in economy class can choose from a number of check-in methods:

Not all airlines offer a telephone check-in option (however, Polish Airlines LOT have such an option available in their offer as a voice connection). Obviously the most accessible is online check-in, where passengers can avoid potential queues at the airport check-in and freely proceed to the security check after dropping their baggage off at the assigned baggage drop-off point. Passengers are reminded that they still need to go through the security check.

For passengers who have purchased seats in first class (and in business class on certain airlines as well), regular airlines provide special baggage drop-off points. This convenience allows first-class passengers to enjoy fast and hassle-free formalities at the airport. First-class check-in points are clearly marked, as are additional fast security checkpoints.

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Jello Chiles
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