Optimizing Your Travel: When to Check In for Your Flight

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The internet has revolutionized the way we prepare for flights, making the process of check-in more flexible than ever. Most airlines now let you check in online at least 24 hours before departure, and many even send reminders to encourage this early action.

When to Check In for Your Flight

While the process has become easier, checking in early remains a smart move due to several compelling reasons below. This is differing from the days when arriving at the airport hours in advance was the only option.

Why Early Check-In Matters

1. Seat Selection

One major advantage of checking in early is seat selection. While some airlines allow passengers to choose seats for free when purchasing tickets, this often does not apply to economy class. Seats are typically assigned during check-in, and generally, the earlier a passenger checks in, the better their chances of securing a preferred window or aisle seat.

2. Overbooking Protection

Early check-in can also be your safeguard against overbooked flights. In the United States, the Department of Transportation permits airlines to overbook flights within reasonable limits, as reported by Travel + Leisure. This practice accounts for no-show passengers. However, if all passengers do show up and the flight is overbooked, airlines are allowed to move passengers to a later flight. One criterion often used to determine who will be bumped is check-in time, meaning those who check in last are most likely to be rebooked.

3. Baggage Processing

Early check-in is also crucial for passengers with checked baggage. Most airlines require checked bags to be dropped off at least 45 minutes before domestic flight departure and 60 minutes before international flights. Passengers without checked bags, however, can often check in as late as 30 minutes before departure.

The reason for the earlier deadline for checked bags is the necessary sorting and security screening process they undergo before being loaded onto the aircraft. If bags are registered after the stipulated deadline, passengers may still board, but their luggage might not make it onto the same flight.

4. Smoother Airport Experience

Check-in deadlines vary by airline, so passengers should always be aware of their specific airline's policies and the requirements of their departure airport.

Even if passengers have pre-selected their seats and are not checking any bags, it is still advisable to check in as early as possible. This ensures that upon arrival at the airport, they can proceed directly to security without additional waiting.

Airport Arrival Times: What to Expect

It is important to note that even with online check-in completed 24 hours beforehand, arriving at the airport only 30 minutes before scheduled departure is generally not recommended.

Travel + Leisure reports that most airlines suggest arriving at least two hours before domestic flights. Lisa Farbstein, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, concurs: "We recommend that when flying domestically out of a medium to large airport travelers get to the checkpoint two hours prior to their airline departure time, regardless of whether they are enrolled in TSA PreCheck," Farbstein stated. "This is especially important if someone is traveling during a holiday period."

For international flights, it is advisable to arrive three hours in advance. International flights often use larger aircraft, accommodate more passengers, and require additional document checks for items such as visas and health forms.

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