What documents are required for international flight check in?

If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D.



People Also Ask

Passport, Travel Visa and National ID Card Proper identification is the foundation of international travel.

MORE DETAILS

How to board international flight step by step
  • Check in for your flight. ...
  • Check your baggage and get your ticket. ...
  • Go through the security checkpoint. ...
  • Go through immigration. ...
  • Find your gate. ...
  • Board your flight.


MORE DETAILS

The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. 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.

MORE DETAILS

When you're traveling outside of the United States, we suggest arriving at least 3 hours prior to your departure. You must be checked in at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure. Additionally, we recommend being at the gate and ready to board 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

MORE DETAILS

Prepare for Likely Questions From U.S. CBP Officials
  • Why are you visiting the United States? ...
  • Where will you be staying? ...
  • Who will you be visiting? ...
  • How long will you be staying in the U.S.? If you're coming in with an immigrant visa (have been approved for U.S. permanent residence), you won't likely be asked this.


MORE DETAILS

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.


MORE DETAILS

There's also the consideration of border control if you're traveling internationally — sometimes border agents might ask to see your boarding pass, and it's usually easier to hand them the paper version rather than your whole phone.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

At each U.S. port of entry, CBP officers review the passports, visas and other supporting documents of every foreign national arriving in the U.S.

MORE DETAILS

How to find your way around an airport
  1. Arrive in the right spot — and at the right time. Follow the signs at your respective airport to make sure you find the correct terminal building for your flight. ...
  2. Check in. ...
  3. Go through the security checkpoint. ...
  4. Find your gate. ...
  5. Wait at the gate. ...
  6. Board the airplane. ...
  7. Retrieve your luggage.


MORE DETAILS

Online Check-in for International Flights. Online check-in allows those who have reserved seats and completed the required information to check into their flight from 24 hours prior to departure. During this process, you can confirm or change seats and get a boarding pass.

MORE DETAILS

What is the recommended layover time for international flights? International flights require longer connections as you will often have to go through immigration and customs upon arrival. For international layover flights booked on one airline, two hours is often recommended to make your connection.

MORE DETAILS

Board tired.
The night before, cheat yourself of a couple of hours of sleep—not more. This works well for very long flights that last long enough to get your usual hours of rest. For flights that are just a little too short for that, like a 5-hour run from New York to Paris, this tactic can be risky.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS