Airport online check in?
Discussion
I've just checked in online for our Jet2 flight to Lanzarote next month, and received my boarding passes on their app. I had already paid for specified seating when booking.
So what's the advantage of checking in online as we still have suitcases to check in? Is it a time saving thing - less queueing, quicker suitcase drop off? If so, surely everyone is checking in online and dropping cases off?
So what's the advantage of checking in online as we still have suitcases to check in? Is it a time saving thing - less queueing, quicker suitcase drop off? If so, surely everyone is checking in online and dropping cases off?
Edited by The Gauge on Tuesday 27th January 19:54
It's only really useful if you are travelling with hand luggage only as then you can go straight to security with your online boarding card.
Airlines like BA only let you have a free seat choice 24hrs before so you need to online check-in as soon as it opens to get something half decent (but I'm sure all PHers are loyalty VIPs so get to pick seats earlier than that...)
It does save some time at the desk if you've entered all your pre-flight info like passport number etc.
Airlines like BA only let you have a free seat choice 24hrs before so you need to online check-in as soon as it opens to get something half decent (but I'm sure all PHers are loyalty VIPs so get to pick seats earlier than that...)
It does save some time at the desk if you've entered all your pre-flight info like passport number etc.
Never used Jet2, BA regularly at T5.
Check in online, if you have hand bag you just scan your bar code at security and go straight to the gate.
With a hold bag, no queuing, scan the code at a self service machine, out pops the label, stick on your bag and it disappears down. If there is a problem there is always a BA bod close at hand.
All done in minutes, off you go to the gate.
Check in online, if you have hand bag you just scan your bar code at security and go straight to the gate.
With a hold bag, no queuing, scan the code at a self service machine, out pops the label, stick on your bag and it disappears down. If there is a problem there is always a BA bod close at hand.
All done in minutes, off you go to the gate.
As others have said online check in is really only any use for hand luggage only.
If you need to check bags then you will (depending on airport) need to do the self service bag check or go to a counter.
At Lanzarote there is no self service so you will have to go to a counter on the way back if you are checking bags.
If you need to check bags then you will (depending on airport) need to do the self service bag check or go to a counter.
At Lanzarote there is no self service so you will have to go to a counter on the way back if you are checking bags.
RicksAlfas said:
zbc said:
Some airports have a luggage drop off line also which is usually shorter and faster moving than the check in line.
Or night before drop off.The Gauge said:
That would be good as we are staying the night before at an East Midlands airport hotel. Anyone know if Jet2 have a night before drop off in EMA?
https://mediacentre.eastmidlandsairport.com/emas-h...Air Canada have non manned baggage drop off at some airports.
Baggage labels are printed at a self operated terminal and affixed to the luggage.
The suitcase is then placed on a conveyor and digitally checked for size and weight.
It was fun watching people frantically unpacking because their cases were overweight.
Also Air Canada confiscated oversized cabin bags at the gate and made them go in the hold.
Baggage labels are printed at a self operated terminal and affixed to the luggage.
The suitcase is then placed on a conveyor and digitally checked for size and weight.
It was fun watching people frantically unpacking because their cases were overweight.
Also Air Canada confiscated oversized cabin bags at the gate and made them go in the hold.
The Gauge said:
So what's the advantage of checking in online as we still have suitcases to check in?
In theory, the advantage is that you get a cheaper flight because the airline requires less personnel to manage the check-in procedure. You're doing the work for them. It's no different to self scan checkouts at the supermarket.
Whether any of the cost benefit makes its way to the customer is another matter,
Hill92 said:
The Gauge said:
That would be good as we are staying the night before at an East Midlands airport hotel. Anyone know if Jet2 have a night before drop off in EMA?
https://mediacentre.eastmidlandsairport.com/emas-h...Twilight/day before check-in with free parking
If you re travelling with Jet2 or Tui, both airlines offer twilight or day before check-in options, which comes with free parking at the airport.
· Twilight/day before check-in operates daily between 4.30pm-9pm for flights up to 12pm the next day, from desks 18 & 19 for Jet2 and from desk 32 for Tui
Slow.Patrol said:
Air Canada have non manned baggage drop off at some airports.
Baggage labels are printed at a self operated terminal and affixed to the luggage.
The suitcase is then placed on a conveyor and digitally checked for size and weight.
It was fun watching people frantically unpacking because their cases were overweight.
Also Air Canada confiscated oversized cabin bags at the gate and made them go in the hold.
I only really properly noticed how budget airlines operate when I recently had to check in and pick up hold luggage for one for the first time.Baggage labels are printed at a self operated terminal and affixed to the luggage.
The suitcase is then placed on a conveyor and digitally checked for size and weight.
It was fun watching people frantically unpacking because their cases were overweight.
Also Air Canada confiscated oversized cabin bags at the gate and made them go in the hold.
I met my dad over in Germany last month before we both returned to the UK.
On my first ever Ryanair flight, for the outbound flight there were no checks as to hand luggage dimensions etc and who could actually use the overhead compartments, which I thought was odd as that was an optional luxury that people paid for - it's 'under the seat in front', by default. It was the same on the way back to Blighty: nobody checking and everyone freely using the compartments.
Perhaps it was because it was a flight to/from Berlin, so not exactly a partygoer's flight where these things may need to be policed, who knows. The only time I have ever seen this policed has been at Doncaster Airport for a Wizz Air flight where there was a member of staff in the departure hall making everyone use the dimension checker frame.
On the way back from Berlin, after queuing, we were guided to use the luggage self-check-in for one item of hold luggage. It was both our first time, not knowing it was there or existed. It was remarkably easy (the suitcase was within all limits) and on arrival there was only a handful of luggage at the belt.
I don't know whether these are commonplace on non-budget flights where online check-in is not a thing, but I'd welcome them in certain situations. E.g. where the queues for the desks are held up by families who have taken advantage of the luggage allowance and have umpteen large items of luggage to check in, in addition to passengers.
Of course, the disadvantage is the risk of loss of jobs, not being able to negotiate upgrades or certain seats/rows and, as you indicate, people frantically unpacking or whatever else due to their bags being overweight. It could cause delays for others and defeat the purpose of streamlining the procedure.
Jet2 do, or did, offer hotel bag drop at some Canarian hotels for afternoon flights, basically leave your bags with the rep at a stand in the hotel reception and a Jet2 branded lorry collects them and takes them to the airport, the next time you see them should be the baggage belt at your destination in the UK (hopefully)
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