Online check-in: benefits, when and where to check in online
The most common recommendation given to a passenger when preparing for a flight is to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure. It seems too early, but then you have an hour and a half to check in and everything makes sense. This is why the ability to check in online and not waste time has become so popular. This practice has proven to be beneficial for passengers, airlines, and even airports.
What is online check-in?
Online check-in is a method of checking in for a flight that a passenger can do before arriving at the airport using the airline's website or mobile app. Online check-in services operate continuously – seven days a week, 24 hours a day, but despite this, a passenger can only check-in during a specific period when the service is available for his/her flight.
When can I check-in online?
The approach to online check-in varies from airline to airline. Each airline has its policy regarding time limits, but as a rule, passengers can check in online or in-app between 48 hours and 90 minutes before departure. Some air carriers have stricter boundaries and allow online check-in only 24 hours before departure.
Let's look at the online check-in rules of some well-known and popular airlines.
Online check-in on Air France
This airline allows you to check in online 30 hours before your scheduled departure time on the official website airfrance.fr or in the app. For some flights operated by Air France's partner Delta Air Lines, you can only check in online 24 hours before departure.
Transavia online check-in
The last opportunity to check-in online for Transavia flights is one hour before departure. Online check-in opens at French airports 30 hours before the scheduled flight time. But be careful: if the flight is scheduled to depart from other airports, check-in closes 4 hours in advance. Before you check in online, go to transavia.com or the official app.
Check-in online at Volotea
According to the rules of this airline, you can check in online between 4 days and 2.5 hours before the original departure time on volotea.com or the app. In addition, it is much more cost-effective for passengers, as the company charges a fee of 30 euros for check-in at the airport.
Air Caraibes check-in
The airline's policy allows online check-in 48 hours before departure, with the deadline for this procedure ending one hour for regional flights and one and a half hours for transatlantic flights. Check-in can be done on this website.
Check-in for a Royal Air Maroc flight
The time the company has set for online check-in is between 48 and 2 hours before departure. This procedure can be done on the carrier's website or on the Royal Air Maroc app.
Why check-in online?
1. Time saving
Online check-in eliminates the need for passengers to wait in line at the airport check-in counter. Bring the documents you received at check-in (e-ticket and/or boarding pass), as well as other documents required for the flight, and you can go straight to boarding if you do not have checked baggage.
If you need to drop off your luggage, you can print luggage tags during online check-in, which will also help save time. You can then simply drop them off at the baggage drop-off counter.
2. Seat selection
The earlier a passenger checks in, the better his chances of choosing and getting a suitable seat on the plane. If he waits for his turn at the airport, there is a high probability that he will get a not-very-comfortable seat, for example, in the middle of the row.
During online check-in, you can choose a seat that suits your preferences. But some airlines, mainly low-cost operators like easyJet and Ryanair, charge a fee for the ability to change the automatically assigned seat to another.
3. No unnecessary fees
Airlines welcome passengers' decision to check-in online. So much so that some charge extra fees for this procedure at the airport. Wizzair, for example, has fees ranging from €10 to €30. This is because online check-in helps the carrier to reduce costs (staff, time, paper, etc.).
4. Improved travel experience
During the online check-in process, the passenger is allowed to take advantage of additional airline offers. For example, it can be priority boarding, upgrades, car or hotel reservations, special assistance, etc.
So if you missed something while booking a ticket, you can add the necessary services during check-in. Let's imagine that when buying a ticket, you expected to travel with one suitcase in the cabin, but when packing, you realized that it would not be enough. Then, during online check-in, simply order an extra space for your luggage.
5. Insurance in case of flight cancelation
Every year there are a huge number of flight cancelations and delays for a variety of reasons, from weather conditions and aircraft technical problems to airport strikes and emergencies. Checking in online for a flight is another way to insure yourself in case of flight cancelation. When this happens due to the fault of the airline, the passenger can claim compensation for the delayed flight. By checking in online, the passenger confirms their intention to fly on that flight, so if the flight is canceled, they have a better chance of getting their money back.
How to check in online?
So, what do you need to do to check in online? First, you'll need your flight information and your reservation number (PNR), as well as your passport details if you're traveling internationally. You also need to know the exact amount of luggage you plan to take with you on your trip.
Once you have filled in all the details in the registration form, you will receive an email at the end of the registration process, which is a confirmation of your booking, as well as the documents required for boarding, such as your e-ticket and/or boarding pass.
You can then either print the travel document or download it to your smartphone. You will present it at the airport during security checks and to agents in the departure lounge. It's also worth remembering that these documents will be available on the airline's mobile app. Most modern air carriers have their apps available on Android and iOS. However, experienced travelers still recommend carrying a printed version of your boarding pass.
Conclusion
Passengers who choose to check in online definitely benefit from it: it helps them avoid queues at the airport and saves time, eliminates the need to pay additional fees, and promotes peace of mind at the starting point of their journey. Online check-in also brings benefits to airlines, which encourage this type of check-in among passengers, as well as to airports, which thus relieves passenger traffic. So keep a close eye on your airline's website for times when you can check in online and travel in comfort.