Sometimes, we find ourselves arriving too early at the airport, waiting for the check-in counter to open. At airports like Changi which are well-equipped and interesting, this waiting time might not feel as long.
However, not every airport has such facilities, and waiting can become quite dull, especially if we have a lot of luggage and other items with us. It can be quite a hassle.
That's why knowing the opening times of airport check-in counters can be very helpful. It allows us to avoid long waits and proceed with checking in and dropping off our luggage as soon as we arrive at the airport.
When exactly can we check in and drop off our luggage? Don't worry! In this article, I'm going to discuss the earliest and latest times you can do so for both domestic and international flights.
For domestic or city-to-city flights, you can check in and drop off your baggage as early as 2 hours before your flight's scheduled departure. The latest you can do this is about 45 to 30 minutes before the plane leaves.
It's important to complete check-in and baggage drop within these times. I suggest checking in early to avoid long queues and the stress of rushing as your departure time approaches.
When flying internationally, you can check in and drop your baggage starting 3 hours before your flight's departure. The latest time for check-in and baggage drop is 1 hour before the flight.
International flights generally require more time because they often use larger planes with more passengers. Handling all these passengers takes additional time.
Also, international travelers have to go through extra steps like immigration checks. That's why check-in and baggage drop times are set earlier, to give passengers enough time to complete these processes.
Is it possible to check in even earlier than the times mentioned? Yes, it is. Thanks to the internet, most airlines now offer online check-in services for their passengers.
This online check-in typically opens 48 hours, or 2 days, before your flight's scheduled departure. However, some airlines may allow you to check in 3 days, 5 days, or even 7 days in advance. The exact timeframe varies based on each airline's policy.
Most airlines close their online check-in 4 hours before departure. This is to ensure that online check-ins don't interfere with the check-in process at the counter, so the online option needs to close first.
To check in online, you can visit the airline's official website or use their app. Once you've completed the online check-in, you'll receive a boarding pass that you can use at the airport.
I highly recommend online check-in for several reasons, including:
If you don't choose a seat while booking your ticket, the airline will assign you one randomly. If you're traveling with friends or family, you might end up sitting separately, especially if only a few seats are left.
By checking in online, you often have access to many available seats. This increases your chances of sitting together compared to checking in at the airport counter.
Once you've checked in online and have your boarding pass, you don't need to go to the check-in counter at the airport. This is particularly convenient if you're traveling without checked baggage, as you can head straight to the security checkpoint without waiting in line at the counter.
Even if you have luggage to check in, you'll still need to drop it off. Luckily, many airlines provide dedicated counters for passengers who have checked in online. These counters commonly have shorter queues than the regular check-in lines.
The ability to check in early also means you can drop off your baggage early at certain airports, like Singapore's Changi Airport.
This service allows you to check in and leave your luggage at the airport up to 24 hours before your flight. This convenience means you can explore the airport freely without dragging your luggage around.
If you're interested in using this service, check with the airline or airport to see if it's available at the airport you'll be using.
