When Does Flight Check In Open? What to Do Before You Fly

Online check in usually opens 24 hours before your scheduled departure. For example, Southwest says check in opens 24 hours before the original departure time. Many other large airlines follow the same pattern, but confirm yours.

The window matters because that is when seats, bags and documents can still be fixed from your phone.

Key takeaways

• Count 24 hours back from the departure time on your ticket, then set a reminder.
• Check in as soon as it opens if you care about your seat or overhead bin space.
• Check in also closes. Do not wait until you are in the taxi line.

What to do when check in opens

1. Find the exact opening time. Open your booking and read the scheduled departure. Subtract 24 hours. A 7:10 AM flight opens at 7:10 AM the day before. Some airlines open earlier on certain international routes, so read your airline's page.
2. Set the reminder now, not later. Add it to your calendar the day you book, or use a reminder in Nusafa. Set it for five minutes before the window opens.
3. Check in on the airline's own app or site. Use the airline you are flying, not a third party. Look for the web address you typed yourself, not one from a text message.
4. Fix the seats. If you are travelling together, check that your seats sit side by side. Seat rules differ by airline and ticket type, so look at what your fare includes before paying for anything.
5. Sort the bags. Pay for a checked bag in the app if you need one. Airlines often charge more at the airport. Our airline baggage fees article shows how to compare.
6. Save the boarding pass two ways. Add it to your phone wallet and take a screenshot. A dead signal at the gate should not matter.
7. Check the closing time. Southwest, for example, closes check in 30 minutes before a domestic flight and 60 minutes before an international one. Your airline may differ, and bag drop often closes earlier than check in.
8. Check your documents. For international trips, make sure your passport is valid for the destination and read the entry rules. Some routes need a document check at the airport, so ask your airline if you are not sure.

Is it worth checking in the second it opens?

It often is for a seat and for overhead bin space. It rarely matters for a flight with plenty of empty seats. If you cannot check in right away, do it within the first hour of the day you travel, not at the airport.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Checking in at the airport desk by habit. Some airlines charge or limit this. The app is usually faster.
• Trusting a time zone guess. The opening time follows the scheduled departure on your ticket, so read it twice if you cross time zones.
• Forgetting the second leg. On a trip with a connection, check that both flights show a boarding pass.
• Ignoring schedule changes. If the airline moves your flight, the opening time moves too. Reset your reminder.
• Skipping the bag rules. Carry on size and fees differ by fare. Read them before you pack, not at the gate.

A two minute check the day before is the cheapest insurance you have against a bad airport morning.

Quick action checklist

• [ ] Write the departure time and subtract 24 hours.
• [ ] Set a reminder for five minutes before that time.
• [ ] Look up your airline's check in and bag drop closing times.
• [ ] Confirm your passport or ID works for this trip.
• [ ] Plan your arrival time using our airport arrival guide.

Flying around the holidays? Pair this with the holiday travel week game plan. Subscribe for the next Travel piece, a look at what to pack in a personal item.