Check-in of luggage (same site)
Airport Check-in are service counters found at commercial airports handling commercial air travel. The check-in is normally handled by an airline or a handling agent working on behalf of an airline. Passengers usually hand over any baggage they do not wish to carry-on to the aircraft and receive a boarding card before they can proceed to board their aircraft.
Check-in is usually the first procedure for a passenger when arriving at an airport, as airline regulations require passengers check-in by certain times prior to the departure of a flight. This duration spans from 30 minutes to over 2 hours depending on the destination and airline. During this process, the passenger has the ability to ask for special accommodations such as seating preferences, inquire about flight or destination information, make changes to reservations, accumulate Frequent flyer program miles, or pay for upgrades.
Airline check-in's main function, however, is to accept luggage that is to go in the aircraft's cargo hold.
Check-in procedures vary per airline with some airlines allowing certain restrictions other airlines have in place, and occasionally the same airline at two separate airports may have different check-in procedures. Such differences are usually not noted by the average passenger and occasionally leads to service interruption when one carrier refuses to abide by the procedure another carrier normally would be willing to do.
Passenger identity registration
At the time of check-in the Agent's primary duty is to check for valid documents. This include tickets, invitation letter, passport, visa etc (depending on the type of visit, the arrival and destination of the trip)
In case of countries like the United States which has special requirements, passengers have to provide information like name, address and contact details of place they live, place they are taking the flight from and place they intend to stay once in the United States. This information, known as advance passenger information, is now usually collected online with or after the flight booking.
Baggage registration
At the time of check-in the passenger hands over baggage which is checked by the airport security and sealed. Anything which is above the weight limit or which is not allowed to be carried is usually handed over to the Agent at the time of check-in.
Seating registration
Usually at the time of check-in an option of selecting the seats is offered. The Agent may ask if a window or aisle seat is wanted.
Online check-in
Online check-in is the process where passengers confirm their presence on a flight via the internet, and typically print their own boarding passes. Depending on the carrier and the specific flight, passengers may also enter details such as meal options and baggage quantities and select their preferred seating.
This service is generally promoted by the airlines to passengers as being easier and faster because it avoids the need to queue at the airport check-in counter; furthermore, online check-in for a flight is often available earlier than its in-person counterpart.[1] The process then transfers to passengers the control over their check-in. Airlines may use the system because self-service is frequently more efficient to operate, with a greater ability to cope with surges in passenger numbers. It also lessens activity at the airport, saving airlines money and reducing passenger waiting times.
Ryanair charges passengers a fee for not using online check-in, except in certain limited circumstances.
Alaska Airlines was the first to offer online check-in. The system was first offered on a limited basis starting in September 1999 and was available to the general public on selected flights a month later.[2] Since then, a growing number of airlines have introduced the system.
Typically, web based check-in for airline travel is offered on the airline's website not earlier than 24 hours before a flight's scheduled departure or 7 days for Internet Check-In Assistant. However, some airlines allow a longer time, such as Ryanair which opens online checkin five days beforehand. Depending on the airline, there can be benefits of better seating or upgrades to first / business class offered to the first people to check-in for a flight. In order to meet this demand some sites have offered travelers the ability to request an airline check-in prior to the 24 hour window and receive airline boarding passes by email when available from the airline.
Special service request
Special requests could include a wheelchair, baby cradle, baby meals, blind passenger, deaf passenger etc.
Change reservation
In some situations it may be necessary to change a passenger's travel plans. This may involve changing itinerary, upgrading class of travel, changing to an earlier/later flight.
Lounge access
If the passenger presents a certain frequent flyer program membership card or any other arrangements with the carrier, access to the lounge may be offered.
Notes
- ^ Virgin launches online check-in, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 October 2005
- ^ "First passenger checks in, receives boarding pass via the internet using Alaskas online check-in process", Business Wire, 16 September 1999
See also
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Commercial air travel |
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| Airlines |
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| Industry associations |
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| Airline alliances |
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| Ticketing |
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| Airport |
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| Luggage |
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| Check-in |
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| Seating |
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| In flight |
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| Crew |
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| Immigration |
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| Safety |
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