How do I check-in and board a flight?

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.



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If you check in at the airport, you may print your boarding pass from a self-service kiosk near check-in, or an airline representative can print one for you at the check-in counter. If you lose your pre-printed boarding pass or misplace the link, you can reprint your boarding pass when you get to the airport.

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If you check-in online prior to your flight, your boarding pass may be emailed to you for printing at home. You can also request a mobile boarding pass, a link for which will be emailed or texted to you.

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Depending on the requirements of airport authorities, you will need to present a mobile boarding pass, a paper boarding pass printed out by you or a paper boarding pass picked up from the check-in desk.

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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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You can print your boarding pass online, at the airport using a self-service kiosk, or from the ticket counter on the day of departure, prior to your flight's scheduled departure time.

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You can print out your boarding pass prior to your arrival at the airport at home. You can also go to the airline's website and print out from there. You will need to enter the last name of the passenger traveling and confirmation number.

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A boarding pass is a document provided by an airline during check-in giving a passenger permission to board the airplane for a particular flight. At a minimum, it identifies the passenger, the flight number, and the date and scheduled time for departure. Boarding passes are always required to board a flight.

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A mobile boarding pass is an electronic document on a personal mobile device that allows you to go through security and board your flight. It's generated and provided using our mobile channels on iOS, Android, and our mobile website.

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Identification
  • Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  • U.S. passport.
  • U.S. passport card.
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
  • Permanent resident card.


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If you don't check in, you won't receive a boarding pass that allows you to board the plane, and your seat might be given up to a standby passenger. The check-in process also confirms your traveler details like your passport information and frequent flyer number.

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When you're traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. For most airports, you must be checked in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time (airports requiring additional time are listed below, Go to footer note).

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The biggest benefit of checking in online is bypassing the lines at the airport. You can skip waiting in line to check in, then possibly–if the airline allows it for your flight–skip waiting in a second line to check your luggage, and instead head straight to security.

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The ticket is the commercial part of the flight (you buy a ticket and intend to go on a fixed flight). The boarding pass is the document you get right with your checkin at the airport (or online), and allows you to embark the plane. You must show the boarding pass at the gate when boarding.

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Flying domestically, all that is needed to board the plane is a valid boarding pass. Some countries may have different rules, but for the most part that's all you need. When flying internationally you will be required to produce both a passport and the boarding pass.

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If you can't access your mobile boarding pass, or your phone dies, you can use another method such as a self-service kiosk or have an agent assist you at the check-in counter. If this issue occurs once you're past security but before you board your flight, ask a gate agent to print off a copy for you.

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The airline sends your boarding document, with a link to your QR code, directly to your mobile device via e-mail. You click the link in the email to retrieve your QR code.

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The top is information for the TSA agent: airline, airports/route, flight number, passenger name. Then comes information for the airline staff: name, date. Underneath that, information for the passenger before boarding: gate, boarding time, flight number.

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