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Airlines and Online Check-in - Airline Tickets, Reservations for Online Check-in
Saving Time Checking in for Your Flight Online

By , About.com Guide

Online check-in for your flights could save you some time from waiting in line and get you to your gate on time. Read on about some of the airlines offering check-in online from airline websites.

Bearing this in mind, here are some of the features of checking in from the comfort of your mouse and keyboard:

Advantages for the passenger

  • Check-in before you get to the airport. Usually between 12 and 24 hours before flight departure.
  • Print boarding pass ahead of time saving you time at the airport. Some airlines also offer the option of downloading your boarding pass to a PDA such as a Blackberry.
  • Ability to change/confirm your seat assignment when available, thus a better chance at getting a seat number before you are even at the airport if you didn't have one already pre-reserved.
  • Some airlines offer bonus frequent flyer miles.
What you'll need to check-in online
  • Your frequent flyer number (or other login information as outlined by the airline you are using such as a the credit card that was used to pay for the ticket).
  • An airline electronic ticket that is paid for.
  • A printer to print the boarding pass, or a PDA (only offered on a few airlines)to download the boarding pass to. Alternatively, you can have the boarding pass reprinted at check-in, or a self-serve kiosk.
In addition, there is a potential problem if you now have your boarding pass, your flight is subsequently canceled, and the airline doesn't have a way to contact you. Thus, in the booking stages it is always a good idea to have more than one contact phone number, and a contact phone number for the destination you are at in case of a delay or cancellation for your return flight.

Check-in Online Now

Some of the airlines offering online check-in are:
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