AIRPORT CHECK-IN: Streamlining Your Flight Procedures

What is Airport Check-In?

Airport check-in is a crucial step in the air travel procedure that nearly every passenger must complete to board a flight. Upon arrival at the airport, you need to proceed to the check-in counter of the airline you've purchased your ticket from to complete the airline's check-in procedures.

Airport Check-In Procedures

Passengers falling into the following categories will be required to check in at the airport:

• Passengers traveling with infants under 2 years old.
• Pregnant women passengers.
• Passengers departing from airports that do not support online check-in.
• Passengers who have checked in online but have checked baggage.
• Passengers traveling on international flights.
• Passengers requesting special services on the flight (except meal services).
• Passengers requiring medical assistance (wheelchair, stretcher, etc.).
• Passengers with group bookings.

Airport Check-In Time

“How many hours before flight should I arrive at the airport?” is a common question among passengers needing to check in at the airport. According to airline recommendations, airport check-in time should be 90 minutes before domestic flights and 120 minutes before international flights.

However, you can still arrive for airport check-in earlier or later than the above times, as long as you are within the opening/closing hours of the check-in counters of the airlines:

Operating hours of airport check-in counters

* Opening/closing times of check-in counters may vary depending on the airport or specific flight. Airlines will update this information on electronic boards for passengers to conveniently follow.

Airport Check-in Procedure

The airport check-in process can be summarized into 4 steps:

• Arrive at the check-in counter at the airport of the purchased airline.
• Present necessary documents at the check-in counter.
• Weigh carry-on/baggage and check baggage.
• Receive the boarding pass.

Summary of Airport Check-in Process

Arrive at the check-in counter of the purchased airline

Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the check-in counter of the airline you booked your ticket with to complete the check-in process.

To determine which counter to check in at, look up your flight number on the electronic board located just before the airport check-in area. The board provides comprehensive information including Departure Time, Airline, Destination, Flight Number, Check-in Counter Area, Boarding Gate, and Flight Information Note.

Check the electronic board to find out which counter you should use for airport check-in

You can easily identify the check-in area at the airport for each airline through the distinctive branding of each carrier. Specifically:

• Vietnam Airlines: The check-in counters of Vietnam's national airline stand out with a royal blue color, accompanied by the Vietnam Airlines logo and the Lotus symbol.

Vietnam Airlines airport check-in counter

• Vietjet Air: Vietjet Air's airport check-in counters feature a distinctive red background with the white VietjetAir.com logo.

Vietjet Air's airport check-in counter

• Bamboo Airways: Bamboo Airways' airport check-in counters have a refreshing green color scheme dominated by the white Bamboo Airways logo positioned at the top.

Bamboo Airways' airport check-in counter

• Pacific Airlines: Pacific Airlines' airport check-in counters are easily recognizable with a distinctive navy blue color scheme and the white Pacific Airlines logo placed on top of the counter.

Pacific Airlines' airport check-in counter area

• Vietravel Airlines: Vietravel Airlines' check-in area at the airport features a turquoise color theme with the yellow Vietravel Airlines logo and the Golden Wing symbol of the airline.

Vietravel Airlines' airport check-in counter

Additionally, at some airports, the check-in areas for airlines may not be arranged exactly as described above. In such cases, you can identify the check-in counters for each airline through the airline logo and brand colors displayed on the electronic screens above the counters, or through logos affixed to the front of the check-in desks.

>> You might also be interested:

• The location of check-in counters at Noi Bai Airport
• The location of check-in counters at Tan Son Nhat Airport

Documents to prepare when checking in at the airport

At the airport check-in counter, you need to present your flight booking confirmation along with valid identification documents as required. The specific documents required may vary depending on the passenger category and whether it's a domestic or international flight, namely:

Required Documents for Airport Check-In

Additionally, you may need to provide health examination documents if you are a pregnant woman; or COVID test results, vaccination certificates, etc., if traveling abroad, depending on the regulations of each country.

>> Explore more: What Documents Do You Need to Fly?

Upon receiving all necessary documents, airport check-in staff will verify your booking code in the airline system, cross-check personal information, and proceed to select seats on the plane for you (and accompanying passengers).

Note that during airport check-in, if you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat, inform the check-in staff for arrangement. However, such requests are accommodated only if there are vacant seats available on the plane! Otherwise, you will be assigned to any available vacant seat on the flight.

Baggage weighing

The next step in the airport check-in process is baggage weighing. You will be asked by staff to place your carry-on and checked baggage (if any) on the scale.

After weighing, carry-on luggage will be tagged as Cabin Baggage or not, depending on the airline. The standard weight limit for carry-on luggage is usually up to 7kg. If your luggage exceeds this weight, the airline may ask you to remove items or you'll need to pay an additional fee to have it checked in.

Carry-on luggage will be tagged as Cabin Baggage or not according to airline regulations

You should note that the fee for purchasing extra baggage weight at the airport check-in counter will be quite high. Therefore, if you plan to bring a lot of items, it's advisable to purchase checked baggage in advance. The latest time to purchase additional baggage is 4 hours before the flight.

Checked baggage after weighing will be tagged with a baggage tag, then pushed onto the conveyor belt, passed through the X-ray scanner, and then transferred to the aircraft if there are no issues to be confirmed.

The maximum weight of checked baggage allowed will apply according to the weight included in your booking confirmation. For example, if your booking confirmation states 20kg of checked baggage, it means you are allowed to check in a maximum of 20kg.

Weighing checked baggage at the airport check-in counter

>> Don't forget to learn more about items prohibited from being brought on board to avoid luggage issues during airport procedures!

Receiving the Boarding Pass

The final step of the airport check-in process is receiving the Boarding Pass, which serves as your airplane ticket. The check-in counter staff will print the ticket and hand it to you along with your personal documents. The pass will have a luggage tag attached (if applicable) for easy cross-referencing when you collect checked baggage at the airport.

Receiving the Boarding Pass completes the airport check-in process

Upon handing over the Boarding Pass, the staff will also remind you of important information about the Gate and Boarding Time. You should be present at the correct gate and no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time to avoid missing the flight.

After completing the airport procedures, to reach the Boarding Gate area, you will have to pass through the Security Check. In the case of international flights, you will first need to complete the declaration at the Immigration area before proceeding to the Security Check, and then to the Boarding Gate.

Complete the security screening before reaching the Boarding Gate

Tips for airport check-in procedures

To ensure a smooth and convenient airport check-in process, you need to pay attention to the following issues:

- Regarding airport check-in counters:

• You must go to the check-in counter of the airline you are flying with to complete the procedure. For example, if you're flying with Vietnam Airlines, you cannot check in at Vietjet Air's counter.

- About check-in time:

• Understand the opening and closing times of the airport check-in counters and arrange to check in as early as possible during that period to avoid overloaded counters leading to flight delays.
• If you've checked in online and have checked baggage, you need to be at the airport check-in counter at least 15 minutes before the counter closes to drop off your luggage. After this time, the airline may refuse to accept your baggage.
• If you're flying during holidays, weekends, or peak tourist seasons, you should arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than the specified check-in time to complete the process. During these periods, airports are often crowded, and if you arrive too close to the check-in time, you may not make it in time, resulting in missing your flight.

- Regarding travel documents:

• Before your flight date, double-check to ensure you have all the necessary travel documents for airport procedures.
• Ensure that your identification documents are still valid and intact, without being blurry, torn, altered, etc.

- About luggage:

• Prepare luggage that complies with the size and weight standards.
• Familiarize yourself with prohibited items to avoid having your luggage rejected by the airline.

Thus, Mytour has summarized all the essential information you need to know about airport check-in. Wishing you can complete airport check-in quickly and without any difficulty.

If you need assistance regarding flight regulations or require support booking cheap air tickets, please visit the website https://www.Mytour.vn/ or call the hotline number 1900 2083 of Mytour!

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Thanh Ha

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