Do you have to check-in with KLM?

If traveling to/from the U.S., check in between 24 hours to 1 hour prior to your departure time. If traveling to Mumbai or from Ethiopia, Kenya, or Sudan, check-in 1.5-30 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. If traveling from any other location, check-in 1-30 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart.



Yes, you must check in for every KLM flight to confirm your attendance and receive your boarding pass. In 2026, KLM offers several convenient ways to do this. The most popular method is online check-in, which typically opens 30 hours before departure (or 24 hours for flights to/from the United States). You can check in via the KLM website or mobile app using your 6-character booking code or 13-digit ticket number. If you prefer to do it at the airport, you can use the self-service kiosks or visit a check-in desk, though arriving early is advised as these close 40–60 minutes before departure depending on the destination. Checking in early allows you to select your seat, purchase extra baggage at a discount, and ensure your travel documents (like the new EES biometric registration for non-EU passengers entering the Schengen area) are in order.

People Also Ask

Boarding passes are provided at check-in, either online (online check-in is usually available 24 hours prior to the flight) or in person at a kiosk or at the check-in counter.

MORE DETAILS

In-person at airport using a self check-in kiosk If using a kiosk, you can select a seat (if hasn't happened already or allowed by airline), enter the number of bags to be checked (if desired), and print boarding passes. You will then need to bring your luggage to a staffed counter or checked luggage station.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Is Online Check-in Mandatory? It is not a mandatory process but it is the best option to save time. Especially passengers without baggage or with hand luggage only can head straight to the aircraft after showing their boarding pass at the control. Online check-in helps passengers to save time.

MORE DETAILS

Is it possible to leave the airport without a boarding pass? Yes. You turn around and go home. Or, you go to the check in before security / customer service kiosk behind security and get a reissued boarding pass.

MORE DETAILS

Yes. You can show your E-Ticket directly to the driver on your smartphone or device when boarding. This is the quickest and easiest way.

MORE DETAILS

You might show the ticket for your flight if the check-in agent can't find the booking record simply with your ID document. But you'll need to show a boarding pass on your phone to pass security and get on to a plane.

MORE DETAILS

No. A boarding pass is a document (either paper or electronic) that shows a gate agent that you're allowed to board a plane for a particular flight. An e-ticket has a bunch of information that the gate agent doesn't need—including what you paid for the ticket and where you bought it.

MORE DETAILS