Have you ever found yourself rushing to the airport‚ only to realize that you forgot to check-in online and now you have to stand in a long line to do it at the airport? If so‚ you may have heard of early bird check-in‚ a service offered by some airlines that allows you to check-in for your flight ahead of time‚ either online or at a kiosk. But with the proliferation of mobile check-in and other convenient options‚ is early bird check-in still necessary?
What is Early Bird Check-in?
Early bird check-in is a service offered by some airlines that allows passengers to check-in for their flight ahead of time‚ either online or at a kiosk. This can be done up to 24 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart. The purpose of early bird check-in is to allow passengers to save time at the airport by avoiding the check-in lines and to ensure that they get a good seat assignment.
How Does Early Bird Check-in Work?
To use early bird check-in‚ passengers must have a reservation for a flight and a valid form of identification. The process is usually quite simple and can be done either online or at a kiosk.
Online: Most airlines offer online check-in on their websites or through a mobile app. To check-in online‚ passengers will need to enter their reservation information and follow the prompts to select their seats and print their boarding pass. If you are unable to print your boarding pass‚ you can usually have it sent to your mobile device or have it available for pick-up at the airport.
Kiosk: Some airports also have kiosks available for early bird check-in. These kiosks are usually located near the check-in counters and can be used by passengers who prefer to check-in in person. To use the kiosk‚ passengers will need to enter their reservation information and follow the prompts to select their seats and print their boarding pass.
Online: Most airlines offer online check-in on their websites or through a mobile app. To check-in online‚ passengers will need to enter their reservation information and follow the prompts to select their seats and print their boarding pass. If you are unable to print your boarding pass‚ you can usually have it sent to your mobile device or have it available for pick-up at the airport.
Kiosk: Some airports also have kiosks available for early bird check-in. These kiosks are usually located near the check-in counters and can be used by passengers who prefer to check-in in person. To use the kiosk‚ passengers will need to enter their reservation information and follow the prompts to select their seats and print their boarding pass.
What are the Benefits of Early Bird Check-in?
There are several benefits to using early bird check-in:
– Save time at the airport: By checking-in ahead of time‚ you can skip the check-in lines at the airport and go straight to security.
– Get a better seat assignment: By checking-in early‚ you have a better chance of getting a seat assignment that you prefer‚ such as an aisle or window seat. Some airlines also allow passengers who check-in early to select their seats for free‚ while others charge a fee for this service.
– Avoid missing your flight: By checking-in early‚ you can ensure that you have a seat on the flight and avoid missing it due to overbooking or other issues.
– Save time at the airport: By checking-in ahead of time‚ you can skip the check-in lines at the airport and go straight to security.
– Get a better seat assignment: By checking-in early‚ you have a better chance of getting a seat assignment that you prefer‚ such as an aisle or window seat. Some airlines also allow passengers who check-in early to select their seats for free‚ while others charge a fee for this service.
– Avoid missing your flight: By checking-in early‚ you can ensure that you have a seat on the flight and avoid missing it due to overbooking or other issues.
Are There Any Downsides to Early Bird Check-in?
While early bird check-in can be convenient‚ there are a few potential downsides to consider:
– Fee for seat selection: As mentioned above‚ some airlines charge a fee for advanced seat selection. This can be frustrating for passengers who are trying to save money on their flights.
– Limited availability: While early bird check-in can help you get a better seat assignment‚ it’s important to note that the best seats may already be taken by the time you check-in. This is especially true for popular routes or flights during peak travel times. If you have a specific seat preference‚ it’s a good idea to book as early as possible to increase your chances of getting the seat you want.
– Not available for all flights: Some airlines do not offer early bird check-in‚ or may only offer it for certain flights. It’s always a good idea to check with your airline to see if early bird check-in is available for your specific flight.
– Fee for seat selection: As mentioned above‚ some airlines charge a fee for advanced seat selection. This can be frustrating for passengers who are trying to save money on their flights.
– Limited availability: While early bird check-in can help you get a better seat assignment‚ it’s important to note that the best seats may already be taken by the time you check-in. This is especially true for popular routes or flights during peak travel times. If you have a specific seat preference‚ it’s a good idea to book as early as possible to increase your chances of getting the seat you want.
– Not available for all flights: Some airlines do not offer early bird check-in‚ or may only offer it for certain flights. It’s always a good idea to check with your airline to see if early bird check-in is available for your specific flight.
Is Early Bird Check-in Still Necessary?
With the proliferation of mobile check-in and other convenient options‚ the need for early bird check-in may seem less important. However‚ it’s still a good idea to check-in for your flight as early as possible‚ whether it’s through early bird check-in or another method. This will ensure that you have a seat on the flight and can avoid any issues or delays at the airport. It’s also a good idea to check the specific policies of your airline‚ as some may require you to check-in a certain amount of time before your flight in order to guarantee your seat.
