What do I do when I get to the airport if I have checked in online?

What to Do After Online Check-In. Once you receive your electronic boarding pass, you can head straight to security if you're traveling carry-on only. If you're checking a bag, you'll still need to stop by the ticketing area at the airport. Look for special “bag drop” lines that bypass longer check-in lines.



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What to Do After Online Check-In. Once you receive your electronic boarding pass, you can head straight to security if you're traveling carry-on only. If you're checking a bag, you'll still need to stop by the ticketing area at the airport. Look for special “bag drop” lines that bypass longer check-in lines.

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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.

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Checking in online is far more convenient than checking in at the airport. However, if you have to check in special luggage such as bulky goods or a pet, you should rather use the classic method.

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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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Saving time by skipping check-in kiosks If you're traveling with just a carry-on bag, you can head to the security check as soon as you arrive at the airport, rather than making a first stop at the check-in desk, since you already have your printed boarding pass, or, better yet, you e-ticket.

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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. To board your flight, scan your mobile boarding pass by holding one of the devices listed above with your pass facing the scanner.

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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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Boarding passes are provided directly by the airline after checking in for your flight. If the airline you're flying with offers online check-in 24 hours before departure time, you can usually print your boarding passes directly from the website or have them sent directly to your phone!

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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.

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Checking in for a flight early or late comes down to more personal preference than anything else. As long as you check in before the window closes, you'll (most likely) get a seat on the aircraft. But, being strategic, one way or the other, might bag you a better one.

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In-person at a staffed check-in counter at airport
  1. Passport (when traveling internationally)
  2. Flight information. Paper ticket (less and less common), OR. E-ticket with a confirmation number—usually sent via email if ticket is purchased online or through a travel agency, OR. Printed itinerary with a confirmation number.


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To speed up the process, you can use curbside check-in or self-service kiosks at most airports. You can use curbside check-in if you have an electronic ticket (can scan it from your phone).

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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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Meanwhile, a paper ticket won't tell you when your flight is canceled. Plus, a poorly printed boarding pass can render your ticket useless at the gate. Hoeller points out that printing a paper ticket and neatly folding it into your passport is much easier than juggling between your personal items and phone.

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Printing your boarding pass is doubly important if you're traveling with your family. Every person needs to be accounted for with a ticket in hand at security and at the boarding gate, and that's just easier done with a piece of paper than on an app.

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How early should you arrive at the airport? Airlines generally recommend arriving at the airport at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight. There are a few considerations, though, and I usually treat each trip to the airport on a case-by-case basis.

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How does a mobile boarding pass work? A mobile boarding pass is just like a paper boarding pass but it's electronic. When you arrive at security, the TSA agent will scan your mobile boarding pass (or ask you to hold your phone over the scanner) just as they would scan a paper version. Ditto at the gate.

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Anytime you need to present your boarding pass – at security checkpoints or at the gate – you hold up your QR code to a scanner, which reads the information. The QR code acts as a unique link to all of your flight information.

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How to add a boarding pass, ticket, or other pass to Apple Wallet on your iPhone
  1. Open the app, email, notification, or other communication that contains your boarding pass, ticket, or other pass.
  2. Tap Add to Apple Wallet.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  4. If necessary, tap Add in the upper right corner.


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Online check-in: advantages and tips
  • Online check-in can save time and hassle at the airport.
  • Check-in timeframes vary by airline and departure airport.
  • Passengers can choose seats and meal preferences.
  • Boarding passes can be printed or saved on mobile devices.
  • Baggage drop-off may still be required at the airport.


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