Checking In For Your Flight
Definitions:
Checking in: for a flight is the process whereby a person announces their arrival at the airport. The check-in process at airports enables passengers to confirm they will be on the respective flight, obtain a boarding pass, possibly select their seat (if hasn’t happened already or allowed by airline), and check in luggage onto a plane, if desired.
Boarding Pass: is a document provided by an airline during check-in, giving a passenger permission to board the airplane for a particular flight. As a minimum, it identifies the passenger, the flight number, and the date and scheduled time for departure. Boarding Passes are always required to board a flight. Often times airlines accept paper or electronic boarding passes (on phone or tablet).
Three ways to Check-In
In person at a staffed check-in counter at airport
Checking-in in-person allows you to check in your baggage, if checking luggage, at the same time as checking in for your flight.
Items needed for check-in counter check-in:
- Passport (when traveling internationally)
- Paper ticket (less and less common),
- or a confirmation number- usually sent via email if ticket is purchased online or through a travel agency,
- or printed itinerary with a confirmation number
In person at airport using a self check-in kiosk
At this time passengers can select a seat (if hasn’t happened already or allowed by airline), enter number of bags to be checked (if desired), and print boarding passes. Passengers will then need to submit luggage to staffed counter or checked luggage stations. Airline staff will need to check your passport either at time of check in or at gate.
Items needed for kiosk check-in:
- Confirmation number- (usually sent via email if ticket is purchased online or through a travel agency),
- or the credit card used for payment of the ticket,
- and or a passport. Passport required when traveling internationally.
Check in online before arriving to airport
Passengers can check in online starting 24 hours (usually) before departure. Passengers will need to submit luggage to staffed counter or checked luggage stations if checking luggage.
Benefits of online check-in:
- Avoid potential check-in lines at airport
- Print boarding pass at home (can also wait or reprint at self-service kiosk at the airport)
- Select seat assignment(s) before others (if applicable)
- Choose to get updates of possible changes to departure times leading up to flight.
https://umabroad.umn.edu/students/travel/airport
