Online Check-In and Boarding Passes: Deadlines, Apps and Problems
Check-in windows, separate airport deadlines, boarding pass formats and a fix list for when check-in will not work.
Online check in lets you confirm your seat, add passport details and get a boarding pass on your phone before you leave home. It saves time at the airport, but every airline sets its own opening and closing times, and missing a deadline can cost you a fee or even your seat.
Key takeaways
- Check-in windows vary widely: some airlines open about a day before departure, others days or weeks earlier.
- There are several separate deadlines: online check-in, bag drop, arrival at the gate and gate closure.
- On some low-cost airlines, checking in at the airport costs extra, so online check-in is part of the fare’s value.
- Keep a backup of your boarding pass: a screenshot, the wallet version and the confirmation email.
- If online check-in fails, the cause is often a document check or a booking issue that only the airline can fix.
What online check in actually does
Checking in tells the airline you intend to travel. It is also when the airline collects or confirms information it needs, such as passport details for international flights, and when you usually choose or receive a seat. Once you are checked in, the airline can issue a boarding pass.
For many travelers, online check in replaces the counter altogether. If you travel with a cabin bag only and your documents do not need to be checked in person, you can go straight to security. If you have a checked bag, you still check in online, then drop the bag at a bag-drop desk.
Cheaplyfly helps you compare and find flights; check-in is done with the airline that operates your flight. Use the airline’s website or app, or the link in your booking confirmation.
The check-in window timeline
There is no global standard for when check-in opens or closes. The points below show how different airlines handle it, as published on their own pages. Treat them as examples and always check your airline and your booking.
- Up to 30 days before
Some airlines open check-in very early. For example, easyJet says online check-in opens 30 days before departure. Some low-cost airlines also open check-in earlier if you have paid for a seat.
- 48 hours before
Emirates opens online check-in 48 hours before scheduled departure. Some airlines issue the boarding pass later for certain routes, for example flights to the US.
- About 24 hours before
A common opening point for many airlines, particularly full-service carriers. If your airline uses this window, set a reminder.
- A few hours to 1 hour before
Online check-in closes. easyJet says its online check-in closes 2 hours before departure, and Emirates says 90 minutes. Others close later, especially on domestic flights.
- Bag drop and counter deadlines
Separate from online check-in, these usually close earlier for international flights than for domestic ones. Your confirmation or boarding pass shows them.
- Gate deadline
The time by which you must be at the gate. The US DOT’s Fly Rights guide notes that each airline sets its own check-in and boarding deadlines.
Checking in late can cost more than time. The US DOT explains that, on oversold flights departing the US, passengers who do not meet the airline’s check-in deadline can lose their reservation and their right to denied boarding compensation. Our guide to overbooking and denied boarding covers the rest of the rules.
Why online check in matters more on low-cost airlines
On many low-cost airlines, online check-in is free, but checking in at the airport can carry a fee, and printed boarding passes may not be offered for free. That makes online check-in part of the value of a cheap fare rather than a convenience. Our guide to what low-cost airlines include covers this and other fees that catch travelers out.
Low-cost airlines may also allocate a seat at random when you check in, unless you pay to choose one. If you are traveling with others and do not want to pay, checking in together on one booking at the same time gives the system the best chance to place you near each other, though it is not guaranteed.
Boarding passes: mobile, printed and wallet
A boarding pass carries a barcode that encodes your booking details. Airlines generally follow the IATA Bar Coded Boarding Pass standard, which is why the same pass can be scanned at security and at the gate.
| Format | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Airline app | Live updates on gate and time changes | May need a data connection to load |
| Phone wallet | Works offline and opens quickly | Not every airline or route offers it |
| PDF or email | Easy to forward and store | Some airports or airlines may not accept it on screen |
| Printed | Does not depend on battery or phone | Some airlines charge for airport printing |
Mobile passes are widely accepted, but not everywhere. Some airports, routes or document checks still require a paper pass or a stamp at a counter. If your airline says a desk check is needed, for example to verify a visa, the app will usually tell you.
Boarding pass backup checklist
- Pass saved in the airline app and, if offered, the phone wallet.
- A screenshot of each pass in your photo gallery.
- Phone charged, with a power bank in your cabin bag.
- Booking reference written down or saved offline.
- A printed copy if your airline or airport recommends one.
At security, you show the boarding pass along with your ID. In the US, the TSA has introduced options such as TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at participating airports, but it still asks travelers to carry acceptable physical ID. Our airport security tips explain how to get through the checkpoint smoothly.
Troubleshooting: when online check in does not work
Most check-in problems have a small number of causes. Work through this list before you head to the airport.
- If the app says check-in is not open yet
Then check the airline’s window. If it opens 24 hours before, try again at that time, and allow for time zones: the clock counts from departure time at the departure airport.
- If check-in is “not available” for your booking
Then check whether the first flight is operated by another airline. Some airlines only allow online check-in when they operate the first flight; in that case, check in with the operating airline.
- If you are asked to see an agent at the airport
Then a document check is likely needed, for example for a visa or entry requirement. Arrive early and go to the counter, even without a checked bag.
- If passport details are rejected
Then compare each field with the passport exactly, including the expiry date and nationality. A name mismatch with the booking needs the seller to fix it.
- If the boarding pass will not download
Then try the website instead of the app, or the email option. If it still fails, you are usually still checked in; ask at the counter for a pass.
- If you booked through a travel agency and cannot find the booking
Then use the airline’s own booking reference, which may be different from the agency’s. It is often in the agency’s confirmation email.
- If the window has closed
Then go to the airport counter as early as possible, and check whether your airline charges for airport check-in.
Do not wait until the last hour to check in on a full flight. If something is wrong with your booking, you need time to fix it with the seller before the deadlines close.
Special cases that often need the counter
Some trips are harder to complete online, even when everything is in order. Travelers with an infant on their lap, an unaccompanied minor, a pet in the cabin, a wheelchair or other assistance request, or sports equipment are often asked to visit a desk so staff can confirm the arrangements. The same can apply when you hold a visa that must be checked by eye, or when you fly on a ticket that combines several airlines.
In these cases, check in online if the system allows it, then plan to arrive early enough to reach the counter before it closes. If online check in blocks you, that is usually a deliberate step rather than a fault, so a call to the airline before the trip can save time on the day.
A routine for every trip
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When you book
Note your airline’s check-in opening time and set a reminder. Download the airline app.
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When check-in opens
Check in, add passport details, check your seat and save the boarding pass in two places.
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The day before
Check the flight time and terminal again, and confirm bag drop times if you have checked baggage.
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At the airport
Go to bag drop if needed, then security with your pass and ID ready. Watch the screens for gate changes.
If you are flying for the first time, our first-time flyer guide walks through the whole airport journey from arrival to boarding. For booking problems, start at the help center.
Frequently asked questions
When does online check in open?
It depends on the airline. Many open around 24 hours before departure, some at 48 hours, and some, such as easyJet, up to 30 days ahead. Check your airline’s page.
Do I still need to go to the counter if I checked in online?
Only if you have a bag to drop or the airline needs to check documents. Otherwise you can usually go straight to security.
Is a screenshot of my boarding pass valid?
Often yes, because the barcode is what gets scanned, but acceptance varies. Keep the app or wallet version as well.
Can I check in online for a connecting flight on another airline?
Sometimes, if the airlines work together on one ticket. Otherwise, you may need to check in with each airline separately.
What happens if I forget to check in?
You can usually check in at the airport if you arrive before the counter deadline, but some airlines charge for this. Miss the deadline and you may lose the seat.
Can Cheaplyfly check me in?
No. Check-in is handled by the airline operating your flight. Cheaplyfly helps you compare and find flights before you book.
