In 2026, the requirement for all passengers to be present at check-in depends on the type of check-in and the destination. If you are doing Web or Mobile Check-In, only one person needs to manage the process for the entire group on their device. However, if you are checking in at the airport counter, most airlines require every traveler in the booking to be physically present so the agent can verify their government-issued ID or passport and any necessary travel visas. This is especially strict for international flights due to security and immigration regulations. For domestic flights, some airlines allow one person to drop off all the bags if they have everyone's IDs, but many modern "Self-Service Bag Drop" machines now use biometric facial recognition, which requires each individual to look into a camera. To be safe, the entire party should head to the counter together. Once you have your boarding passes, you must all be present individually at the security checkpoint and the boarding gate for final identity verification before entering the aircraft.