United Airlines flight check-in: how do I do it?
United Airlines will automatically offer you a check-in reminder by email that notifies you when you should check in and collect your boarding documents.
In Order To Check In For A Flight With United Airlines, You Can Choose From The Following Options:
- On united.com, you will be able to check in online.
- Using your mobile device, you can check in from anywhere at any time.
- Over the phone, you will be able to check in by voice.
- In the airport (at the kiosk, curb-side, and at the ticket counter).
United Airlines Check-in Time
For international and domestic flights, the traveler must reach the airport 3 hours and 2 hours prior to the time of departure, respectively. MTI highly recommends their users reach the airport well in advance, even if they’ve checked in online. After all, for hassle-free flight boarding, keeping an ample amount of time is the key!
| Flight Type | Minimum check in time | Ideal Airport Arrival time | Min check in time with carry on luggage | Minimum check in time with checked baggage | Boarding Gate closing time | Time to reach boarding gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Flight | 60 minutes | 180 minutes | 60 minutes | 90 minutes | 45 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Domestic Flight | 30 minutes | 120 minutes | 30 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes | 45 minutes |
Boarding Time
The minimum time allowed for boarding an international flight is 30 minutes before flight departure, whereas the last time to board a domestic flight is 15 minutes before the flight’s departure.
However, just to be safe, Travelintellect suggests the passengers reach the boarding gate an hour before the flight’s departure time.
As a United Airlines passenger, when should I check in for my flight?
According to United Airlines, minimum check-in times vary according to the type of flight you are taking (within the USA, international, or a domestic flight that is part of an international itinerary), departure airport, and whether you are checking bags with the Airlines.
If You Are Travelling Domestically, Except When You Are Part Of An International Itinerary, The Following Minimum Time Requirements Apply:
- In general, passengers who are carrying carry-on baggage must be checked in at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure from any airport, except in the following airports: Baltimore (BWI), Kahului (OGG), Salt Lake City (SLC), San Juan (SJU), Aguadilla (BQN) – 45 minutes before scheduled departure, and Guam – 60 minutes before scheduled departure.
- In the case of passengers travelling with checked baggage, the minimum check-in time is 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
It Is Mandatory For International Passengers To Check in At Least 60 Minutes Prior To Their Scheduled Departure, Except For The Following Exceptions:
- A flight from Lima, Peru (LIM), Dublin, Ireland (DUB), Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV), or Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) will take approximately 75 minutes.
- In the case of flights from Manila (MNL), St. Thomas (STT), and the Marshall Islands (Majuro – MAJ, Kwajalein – KWA), as well as flights from Micronesia (Kosrae – KSA, Pohnpei – PNI, Truk – TKK, Yap – YAP), 90 minutes is the flight time.
- It is important to understand the check-in time requirements at the airport, as well as the processing time at the airport
- It consists of the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Midway, and Wake Islands, as well as the District of Columbia.
- The international time limits will be applicable to all flights in the itinerary if the itinerary has an international destination as part of it.
For codeshare flights, what are the check-in requirements?
Through codeshare agreements with other carriers, United Airlines offers passengers codeshare services on flights operated by these carriers. Codeshare partners may have different rules for operating their own flights from United Airlines’ rules for flights operated by United Airlines, including check-in times.
Check-in information about checking-in with the operating carrier will be included in the check-in reminder when checking-in for a codeshare itinerary and your first flight is operated by a codeshare partner.
Online check-in
If you have luggage to check, you can check in online up to 24 hours before departure. The easiest way to check your bags is to use a dedicated kiosk (available at United Airlines hub airports and select cities) after you check in online. You can check your baggage at either the ticket counter or curb-side, sky port (where it is available). You must check in online and drop off your baggage within the airport’s time limit for Online Check-in.
The boarding pass must be printed, but it can also be collected from an airport kiosk. For eligible itineraries, you can request a mobile boarding pass link.
The Availability
All United Airlines Flights, Domestic And International, Are Eligible For Online Check-In If The Following Conditions Are Met:
- An electronic ticket has been issued to you.
- The itinerary begins with a United Airlines flight.
- A maximum of four flight segments can be found on your itinerary.
- A group reservation of less than 9 people is being made for you.
- United does not require you to meet with a representative at the airport for a special service.
- For international flights, you must have previously scanned your passport. If not, you can scan it at an airport kiosk or via United’s app.
- Basic Economy reservations other than transatlantic flights require at least one bag to be checked in.
There are options
The Online Check-In Process Requires A Confirmation Number, A Ticket Number, Or A Mileageplus Number. You Can Update Your Travel Plans During Online Check-In By:
- Flight change.
- The loyalty account number should be modified.
- Make a seat change request.
- Make sure your luggage is in order.
- Baggage fees must be paid.
Mobile Check-In Method
Using a mobile device, United’s mobile website or United’s app, you can check in up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure. A minimum check-in time set for your departure airport applies.
The Availability
In addition to mobile check-in, United Express flights also have a United app available for iOS (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch) and Android devices. As with Online Check-in, Mobile Check-in has the same restrictions, so if you cannot use Online Check-in, you will not be able to use the app to check in.
The Mobile Boarding Pass
A mobile boarding pass is available for travel at all United-served U.S. airports and select international airports1. When you do not receive the option of receiving a mobile boarding pass, it may be because you are traveling to a city that does not yet offer it, or your reservation was not eligible for it.
If you don’t have an Internet connection, you can still access your mobile boarding pass after checking in. If your device is connected to the Internet, the boarding pass will automatically update when upgrades, gate information, or seat changes are made.
Acceptance of mobile boarding documents at airports.
Check-in by voice
If you want to check in over the phone, you can do so by calling United Reservations and saying “check in” during the automated menu. Customers traveling within the U.S. or Canada can use this check-in method if there are less than 10 people in their booking. In addition to receiving your boarding documents by email or picking them up at an airport kiosk, you can choose how many bags you want to check. You can hear your baggage charges during Voice Check-in.
Check-in at the kiosk
In Order To Check In At An Airport Kiosk, You Must Activate It First. If You Cannot Activate The Kiosk, A United Airlines Representative Will Assist You. You Have The Following Options For Enabling The Kiosk:
- Acceptable cards include credit cards, MileagePlus cards, and passports with magnetic stripes.
- You can scan your passport or boarding pass.
- Please enter your confirmation number or eTicket number.
The Availability
A kiosk check-in option is available for most domestic flights and for most international flights departing from the U.S. In some cases, your international travel documents need to be checked by United Airlines.
It is possible to check in at an airport kiosk even if you have luggage to check. To check baggage, be sure that you are at an appropriate check-in kiosk (baggage kiosk) before completing the check-in process. It is not possible to check bags at all airport kiosks, only at check-in counter locations.
The Following Situations Prevent You From Using A Kiosk For Check-In:
- An airline other than yours operates the first segment of your itinerary.
- A fee has not been collected for the change of your ticket.
- The baggage you are checking is oversized.
- Unaccompanied minors travel alone.
Options
The kiosk can be used for checking in, printing out your boarding pass, changing flights, requesting standby for an earlier flight, viewing seat maps and changing your seat, requesting an upgrade, adding your frequent-flyer number to a reservation, checking and tagging baggage at select kiosks, and printing receipts.
The boarding process
The Following Requirements Must Be Met At The Gate For United Airlines Flights:
- Unless departing from Guam or part of a worldwide itinerary, domestic flights must depart at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure.
- There is a minimum 30minute notice requirement for international flights, including those departing from Guam and those on international itinerary, with the exception of the following locations, where the deadline is 60 minutes: Brussels, Belgium (BRU), Sydney (SYD), the Marshall Islands (Majuro – MAJ and Kwajalein – KWA), and Micronesia (Kosrae – KSA, Pohnpei – PNI, Truk – TKK, Yap – YAP).
- Email or phone messages will be sent to all passengers notifying them of gate changes.
- A pre-boarding process is initiated for unaccompanied minors, customers with disabilities, active military personnel, Global Services members, and families with children under 2 years old.
- As soon as boarding groups 1 and 2 are completed (premium Platinum & Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Polaris, First, and Business); general boarding (groups 3-5 – Economy Class passengers) begins. As part of group 2, United Explorer, Club, Presidential Plus and Awards cardmembers, Premier Access, Priority Boarding, and Star Alliance Silver members will board the aircraft. If you are traveling with a companion with a higher boarding status, you can also board with the earlier group.
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