Do I have to check in for my flight twice?

The answer to whether you need to check in twice for connecting flights depends on which airlines you're booked on and how your itinerary was ticketed. If you're traveling on the same airline, and you've got a single itinerary / record locator number for then you typically will not need to check-in again.



In 2026, you generally do not need to check in for your flight twice, but there are specific scenarios where a "secondary" check is required. If you have a connecting flight booked on a single ticket, your initial check-in usually covers all segments, and you will receive all your boarding passes at once. However, if you are traveling on separate tickets (self-transfer), you must exit the secure area, collect any bags, and check in again with the second airline. Additionally, for international travel, even if you have a digital boarding pass, you may be required to visit a "Document Verification" desk at the airport so an agent can physically inspect your passport and visa. If you have a long layover (typically over 24 hours), some airline systems will treat the second leg as a new flight, requiring a fresh check-in. Always check your airline app's "Manage Booking" section 24 hours before each departure to ensure your status is confirmed for every leg of the journey.

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In most cases, you'll receive your boarding pass for your connecting flight already when you check in for your first flight. This means you don't have to check in again for your next flight. If you haven't received it, you can go to the transfer desk or kiosk of the airline you're flying with to collect it.

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Yes. You'll probably get all boarding passes at once when you check in for your first flight, whether you check in online, on your smartphone, or at the airport. For some international itineraries though, the airline will direct you to get your second boarding pass on your layover.

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Even if you have bags to check in, the bag drop process is much faster if you have already checked in online. If you are running late, say arriving at the airport only 30 min before departure, the airport check-in counter may be closed. Checking in online helps you beat the counter close time.

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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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Go to your indicated airline front desk.
  1. Identify yourself (be prepared to show your ID and Passport when they ask you for it)
  2. Check in your luggage. After the identification process, they will print tags for your luggage to be sent of to the plane you are boarding.


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When arriving at the connecting airport all you have to do is to go to your next gate and wait for the next plane, your next flight. There might be a security check in the terminal at the connecting airport. But mostly you don't have to do anything about your luggage. It's being taken care of by the airport personnel.

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The recommended layover time for domestic flights is normally one hour. However, as previously stated, you may require longer if your flights are booked with two different airlines, if you are traveling to a very busy airport or if you require special assistance.

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If you miss your connecting flight, the airline will usually transfer your checked luggage to the next available flight. However, it is important to contact the airline as soon as possible so they can make sure that your bags are on their way.

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Do you have to go through security again for connecting flights? That depends! If you travel to a non-Schengen country, you'll need to go through additional security and passport checks. If you stay within the Schengen region, no additional checks are needed.

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Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights. But this is a flexible recommendation depending on the specifics of your travel situation.

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Yes, simply show your mobile boarding pass on a mobile phone, iPad, or Apple Watch and a valid form of identification to the TSA Agent at security to proceed.

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The difference between an electronic ticket and a boarding pass. Simply put, the difference between an electronic ticket and a boarding pass is that the electronic ticket is a confirmation that you have completed your purchase, and boarding pass is a document that allows you to board on the plane.

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Boarding is the next step after completing your check-in. Passengers get into the aircraft after completing their check-in through websites, counters or kiosks. The difference between boarding and check-in is boarding is done vis-a-vis while check-in can be done through mobile phones.

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Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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