Can you still check in at the airport Lufthansa?

The only requirement: You must be in possession of a boarding pass issued from 23 hours before departure online, on your smartphone or at a check-in machine at the airport itself. You can get your bag tag online via Home Tag, Smart Bag or at the Bag Tag printers at the airport.



Yes, you can still check in at the airport with Lufthansa in 2026, though the airline strongly encourages using their digital options. You can use the Self-Service Check-in Kiosks located near the Lufthansa counters to print your boarding pass and baggage tags in under two minutes. For those who prefer a human touch, full-service check-in counters are still available, particularly for Premium Economy, Business, and First Class passengers, or those requiring special assistance. Lufthansa also offers a unique "Late-Night Check-in" at select hubs, allowing you to drop off your bags the evening before your flight so you can walk straight to security the next morning. If you have already checked in on the Lufthansa app (available 30 hours before departure), you can simply use the Automated Bag Drop stations to scan your phone and drop your suitcase, bypassing the traditional lines entirely.

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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.

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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.

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It's sometimes possible to check your bags 12 hours before a same-day flight in major airports, but this is at the discretion of the check-in staff and is by not guaranteed.

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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.

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Other reasons for not being allowed to check-in online can include:
  • Being selected for secondary screening by TSA.
  • Your ticket was issued by a codeshare partner airline and not the airline you're traveling with.
  • Traveling in a large group.


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There are several possible reasons for why you can't check-in online. If you're flying to an international location or to a state that has COVID-related requirements, the system may prevent online check-in so that a check-in agent can verify your passport or that you've met whatever entry requirements are in place.

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Check-in times You can check in online or from the app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before your flight (90 for international). To check bags or check in at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. ? 45 minutes.

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The purpose of checking-in is to receive your boarding pass. A few years ago, you had to present your ID and booking confirmation at the airport to receive your boarding pass. Now, thanks to online check-in, you can do this in advance from the comfort of your home. However, you should also be aware of a few things.

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An advance seat reservation only applies per flight segment. As soon as check-in for the relevant flight begins (usually from 23 hours before departure), you can, of course, still select any of the remaining seats free of charge, if the fare conditions permit this.

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Night flying restrictions are common at airports in Europe. Most airports in Germany have restrictions and curfews during the night. Several night flying restrictions including full night flight bans have been introduced in order to ensure that residents living near airports can sleep at night.

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While each airport will have its own procedures, security generally opens two to three hours before the first departure of the day, and remains open until the last passenger has gone through.

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Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight. That said, there are many factors to consider that will help you decide how much time you should budget for at the airport.

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Check-in times You can check in online or from the app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before your flight (90 for international). To check bags or check in at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. – 45 minutes.

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The earliest you can check your bags vary based on the airline and airport policies. But in general, the earliest time you can check your bags is 2-4 hours before flight time. Some may allow up to 6 hours, but most international flights won't accept check-in earlier than that.

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