Bet every air traveler wants to snuggle into their seat on the plane as quickly and painlessly as possible! But how?
You know, there's a big task to complete before you fly - check-in!
The No.1 secret to successful and enjoyable air travel is to arrive at the airport early enough to have adequate time for check-in before you fly out. Otherwise you may end up having a quite stressful trip.
Why Check-Ins are Important?
Since 9/11, most airlines are much stricter in the airport security and passengers' identification. At the time of check-in either at the airport or using other methods, the primary purpose is to check for and verify valid documents, like tickets, passports, invitation letters and visas and more. At most airports in the United States, passengers will be asked to provide detailed personal info at check-in, like name, address and contact details. The info verification aims to ensure better security.
What Passengers Do during the Check-In Process?
Generally, passengers can take advantage of the check-in time to check baggage, ask for seating assignment, change reservations, request flight upgrades and accumulate frequent flyer program miles. The check-in process varies per airline. Even the same airline can have different check-in procedures at two different airports. Traditional check-in at an airport usually consists of the following steps:
• Wait in lines for your turn when a check-in monitor is available. You may encounter long queues during peak hours.
• Stand in front of the monitor. You can manually enter your Itinerary Number & Flight Number or Destination City/Airport Code. You're also allowed to swipe your credit card.
• Confirm your flight ticket information.
• Display how many bags you have to check.
• Choose a new seat if desired.
• Pay for a flight upgrade if you wish.
• Wait for your boarding pass to be printed out.
According to your check-in method, you may have limited access to the activities mentioned above. Let's just take web check-in for example. Some airlines, like Alaska Airlines, allow passengers to change seat assignment and get flight upgrades with online check-in. But this is not the case for all airlines. Certain airlines do not provide seating assignments for passengers using online check-in, such as Southwest Airlines.
What're the Check-In Methods Offered by Major Airlines?
Do you know the check-in situations in the past days? One thing is sure that passengers had to arrive at the airport and wait for several hours. Those days are gone! Currently, the majority of airlines serving the United States provide a wide variety of ways to check in for their flights, like mobile check-in, web check-in and self-service check-in.
Passengers do not always have to spend time in line at the airport. Generally, certain airlines only have limited check-in options. Use the table below and find the available check-in options for your favorite airline.
You may have noticed that some airlines offer so many different options for check-in. It can be a bit tough choosing the best method. The useful guide below can give you some necessary assistance for an enjoyable check-in experience.
How to Choose the Check-In Option that's Right for You?
Online check-in, self-service check-in and ticket-counter check-in are among the most common types of check-in for almost every airline. Now let's compare several major check-in methods and find out their pros and cons. Then it will not be difficult to choose the right one.
• Online Check-In
Online check-in is recognized as the
quickest and easiest way to check in for most flights. You can visit the airline's website and complete the process from the privacy of your own home or office. Online check-in helps avoid queues at the airport when you arrive. But you must access to a printer since you're expected to print the ticket and boarding pass yourself. Online check-in is not available for passengers with special needs, like minors.
• Ticket Counter Check-In
This traditional method of check-in at the ticket counter is the
least confusing option. Your airline's agent will be always glad to give you any kind of help if possible during the check-in process. When you get in line at the desk and receive your boarding pass, there's also a chance to be offered with an upgrade. But this method can be the
slowest and most tiresome check-in option. Queues can be annoyingly long if you're not lucky enough.
• Self-service Kiosks
Self-service kiosks are available at airports through most large airline systems. Compared with ticket counter check-in, self-service kiosks are a quicker and more efficient way for passengers to check in at the airport. However, not all airlines and airports allow self-service check-in. You'd better check with your airline before you're planning to select this option.
• Mobile Check-In
Select airlines also allow mobile check-in. It's really a breeze to check in through mobile devices. Customers can enjoy all the benefits of online check-in on the go. In the event that you forget your phone or the battery dies, you'll need to find a computer or self-service machine to print out your boarding pass. Since mobile check-on is in its early days,
not all terminals at all airports are able to process mobile boarding passes on the phone.
Of course, some airlines also offer other convenient check-in ways, like curbside check-in and late night check-in. Some airlines even allow
premium check-in and lounge access. Passengers holding first/business class tickets or with certain frequent flyer program membership card can enjoy access to the premium check-in area. These passengers can enjoy a more thorough and exclusive premium check-in experience. They often have a dedicated entrance and have direct shortcut access to the security checkpoints.
Never forget to check with your airline and figure out the availability of allowed check-in options. Simply choose the check-in method based on your own situations and needs. Whether you have e-tickets or paper tickets, carry-on baggage only or checked baggage will limit your options.
No matter which check-in option you choose, one thing deserves your attention, namely the check-in deadlines. All airlines operating flights worldwide require passengers to check in before the cutting-off time. After that time, passengers will not be allowed to check in for their flights. If you do not want to miss your flight, make sure to abide by the check-in time and arrive early at the airport.
What's the Best Time to Get to the Airport for Your Flight?
Allowed check-in time varies with each airline and specific routes. Typically, you have to arrive earlier for international flights, especially when you have bags to check. Travelers taking domestic flights can arrive later relatively. Take a look at the following table and you'll be immediately clear about the cutting-off time for each major airline.
Note: The time displayed in the form above mean the time prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight. For example, you must check in no later than 30 minutes before the departure time when you take domestic flights with Delta Airlines. But these deadlines only apply to
check-in at the airport since
most airlines will close online and mobile check-in 1 hour before departure.
Of course, nearly each airline has some exceptions on the check-in time for certain routes, especially for busy destinations and long-haul flights. The best bet is to ask for your carrier and confirm the details. One simple way is to visit the airline's website. The specific check-in time is usually described in their check-in policy.
You may be wondering the necessity of these time rules. They're absolutely essential.
All the restrictions on the check-in time are put forward to ensure that check-in process is problem free. So that the aircraft can take off on time. Another reason is to guarantee that passengers can have adequate time to handle baggage checking and go through the security checkpoint.
Some airlines even advise passengers to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure. Therefore passengers can be fully prepared to board their plane and pay attention to every detail for an enjoyable air travel. It's obvious to see that
passengers should check in for their flights as early as possible. If you have bags to check, you're advised to check in not less than 90 minutes before your flight for domestic travel. As for international departures, you can check in 2 hours before your flight to ensure a hassle-free check-in process.
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