How to Check In At the Airport : Streamline Your Travels

Reservations? Made. Packing? Done. Check-in? Not Sure. Oh! First-time flyers must be wondering how to check in at the Airport. While the concern seems legitimate, it still is not tough to go through it. 

Flight check-in is the first procedure passengers undergo when flying with any airline, either to a domestic location or an international one. Check-ins are handled by the agents of the airline you are flying with. Passengers simply arrive at the airport to mark their presence at the check-in counters, where they are required to leave their luggage (specifically the ones that are not allowed in the cabin and are cargo). Afterward, they are provided with a boarding pass to undergo security checkpoints and other procedures before they can actually get to board the planes. 

One thing in the passenger’s favor is that all the airlines at any of the airports follow, more or less, the same check-in procedure.  

To substantiate that you master the process, we provide you with a comprehensive manual. See-through it!

Travel Essentials : Prepare to Fly 

Won’t it hurt if things don’t turn out as planned? It definitely will. Before you actually reach the airport to check in, there are a few must-haves that you should consider. This will demonstrate that you are on the right path and that too at the right point in time. Those include: 

Have you received a confirmation email? 

When passengers book a flight, the airline they book with provides them with a confirmation email. In the email, your flight number, time of departure, etc is mentioned. Ensure to check whether you are still scheduled for the time you booked. If the airline has delayed the flight or, worse, canceled it. You must connect with the airline and adjust your plans accordingly. 

Nevertheless, if nothing has changed, you are good to go. 

Did you keep your travel documents yet? 

The most important part of flying anywhere is your travel documentation and identification details, whether flying internationally or domestically. You will need these before, during, and even after you have landed at your destination. Make sure to keep your ticket and identification doc ( a driver’s license would do) along with the requested docs for domestic travel. For international travel, you are supposed to present more: a passport, visa (if applicable), identification details, and other requested documents. Suffice it that you have everything kept in your carry-on for easy access. 

What about the comfort essentials for the journey?

One thing that excites travelers the most about air travel is the comfort & luxury they get. However, if you add a few more things to it, won’t it be more luxurious? A neck pillow, charger, medications, eye mask, sanitizer, headphones, and travel-sized toiletries would help a lot, specifically on long-haul flights. So, pack the comfort you think you might need during the flight. 

Have you arranged a vehicle to get yourself to the airport? 

If you are driving yourself to the airport, that’s great. But if you are not, you must arrange a vehicle for yourself on time. Reaching the airport late can lead you to encounter situations like missing a flight. So, make sure that you leave your home right on time and reach your designated terminal. Even if you are driving yourself, give yourself enough time to park your wheels at the airport and head to your airline’s terminal. 

Did you consider going through the Check-in Baggage Instructions?

Regardless of the airline you are flying with, there are certain restrictions you must follow. These are not limited to the the size or weight of your checked or carry-on baggage but also include the items you should avoid packing and the amount of liquids or solids you can carry along. Some of the restricted items include lighters, knives, power banks, e-cigarettes, etc. Always pre-check your airline’s baggage policy to avoid packing prohibited items or extra luggage. 

Make sure to give these factors a good thought and implementation a day before your departure. 

Ready to Depart? Know the Ways to Check-in For Your Flight

There are a multitude of ways to check-in for your flight departures with any of the airlines. The answer to How Early Should I Get To The Airport To Board My Flight completely depends upon the method you go forward with. If you want to check-in at the airport, you must be available two hours before your flight. On the contrary, if you want to proceed with web check-in, it usually is open from 48 hours to 60 minutes before the departures. It’s a must to follow up with your airline for exact information. 

Airport Check-In 

Airport check-in means that you arrive with your ticket and documents at your airline’s assigned terminal and proceed with the further formalities from thereon. At the airport, you are provided with two options: counter check-in and self-service kiosk check-in. Let’s discuss both. 

• Counter Check-in: It is best for first-time flyers who have zero idea of what steps to perform next. At the counters, airline personnels are available to assist with the check-ins. Here, the airline will check your luggage on your behalf and provide you with a copy of your boarding pass, which you can take further to the security checkpoints.
• Self-Service Kiosk Check-in: The self-service kiosks are basically machines that allow you to check in independently and retrieve your boarding passes. Here, passengers are supposed to follow the prompts, enter the details, and print their passes on their own. If you think you can go with this option, you are on the bright side. Why? Because you can avoid the long check-in queues usually found at the check-in counters. 

Web or Online Check-In 

Most of the leading airlines offer the opportunity to check in using their official websites or mobile applications to check-in. If your airline allows you, you can check-in at the ease of your home without any worries or hurries, for that matter. While the timings of web check-in differ from airline to airline, it’s usually open to passengers from 48 to 1 hour before the departure timings.

After you have checked in for your flights, it’s time to head straight to the security checkpoints, get yourself screened (for security reasons, obviously), and walk towards your boarding gates. The security procedures are different for international and domestic travelers. It’s quite quick and simple for the latter. However, the former will have to go through some additional formalities before they are allowed to board the flights. 

As each airline operates different rules and regulations, it’s better to check with yours about the same. Make sure you have the right info about check-ins, as it is the first and foremost procedure to be followed when looking forward to boarding a flight. 

Often Raised Queries!