How to Check-in for a Flight Online

Nowadays, airline travel is almost too easy. Gone are the days of arriving 2 hours before takeoff and standing in mile-long lines. As if self-service check-in wasn't easy enough, now it's possible to check-in online for almost all the major airlines. Here are some general tips for checking in online to help your travel day run as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your frequent flyer number (or other login information)
• An electronic ticket
• A printer (if you don't have a printer, you can still check-in online, but you'll need to get your boarding pass once you arrive at the airport)
• Computer
• Internet

1. Every airline will have its own rules and regulations, so it is important to follow the directions as outlined by your carrier. Most airlines will allow you to check-in at least 24-hours before your scheduled departure, but some may give you up to three days. You can check-in online up to 90 minutes before your flight departs.

2. Go to your airlines web page. On the home page there will be a tab for Online Check-in. Click here and follow the steps. You'll need some kind of login in order to access your flight information. It could be as simple as your flight number to something more complicated like a password that the airline emailed to you when you booked the flight.

3. Once you've accessed your saved flight details, you can print your boarding pass. If you don't have a printer, don't worry, you can get your boarding pass when you arrive at the airport. Most airlines have a separate kiosk for passengers who have checked in online.

4. If you are checking luggage, you can still check-in online. When you arrive at the airport there will be a place where passengers who have checked in online can drop their bags. Drop your bags off and make sure to get the sticker receipt before proceeding to security and onto your gate.

5. If you check-in online but need to get your boarding pass at the airport you can go to one of the self-service kiosks. Most airlines have a special place designated for passengers who have already checked in from home. This will help you avoid any lines. Print your boarding pass and proceed through security to your gate.

6. If your aren't checking any bags and you printed your boarding pass online all you need to do when you get to the airport is get through security and go straight to your gate. Flights begin boarding 30 minutes before departure.

Tips & Warnings

• Print a copy of your flight details and confirmation number in case anything goes wrong or you lose your boarding pass
• Don't forget you driver's license, ID or passport
• Give yourself adequate time to get through security, especially on weekends and holidays. Checking in online doesn't mean you skip security lines.
• Not all airlines will allow you to check-in online if you are checking luggage.

[camelbreeder]

on 5/27/2009 Instead of remembering all the various web pages of the airlines you can use www.worldwidewebcheckin.com which offers online check-in for most airlines and connects you even faster to the specific check-in page of each airline. It's one of my valuable bookmarks for a business traveler.