How Airport Check-in Works

Flying for the first time? Then you definitely need to know about airport check-in. This is exactly what we will tell you about today in the Kupi.com Blog.

Upon entering the airport security will check you and your luggage. In Russian airports, this is quite common; in foreign airports, such screening is usually not present. 

After this, you need to find the departure board — an information screen with a list of all flights. On it, you will see the following information: 

• Airline — the airline, operating the flight;
• Flight — flight number; 
• Departure — destination; 
• Scheduled — estimated departure time`; 
• Counters — check-in desk number; 
• Gate — boarding` gate number;
• Status — flight status;
• Gate Closed — boarding completed;
• Boarding — aircraft` boarding in progress;
• Check-in — registration` in progress;
• On-time — flight departs on schedule;
• Delayed — departure delayed;
• Canceled — departure canceled. 

Check your flight number, indicated on your itinerary receipt, against the information on the online board. Each counter has a number that should match the number on the board. Check-in for each airline opens at different times — we advise you to clarify this in advance. It usually starts two to three hours and closes 30–60 minutes before departure. Some airlines allow check-in at the business class counter — if no one is there, don't hesitate to approach and clarify the necessary information. 

What to do at the check-in counter 

Hand your passports to the airline employee. If you are flying with a layover, they may also ask for your itinerary receipt. If you are flying internationally, you need a valid corresponding visa. It is also checked during flight check-in. 

Next, at the check-in counter, you need to weigh luggage and check it in. If you have bulky hand luggage, it might also be weighed. If you are flying an international flight for a winter vacation, check your suitcase through to your transfer point — this will help you change into more climate-appropriate clothing. After this, the passenger needs to go through the check-in procedure again. It's important that this option is only available if you have a sufficiently long layover. 

During check-in, you will be given a boarding pass and baggage claim tags. The latter are usually affixed to the boarding pass or passport cover. 

Depending on how many free seats are left, you may be assigned specific seats on the plane, for example, by the window or in the aisle. Passengers with certain requirements are placed near emergency exits: tall and strongly built, as they will be able to assist other passengers in an emergency. Families with children or fragile girls are unlikely to occupy these seats.

That's it — check-in is complete. Now you need to go through security screening and wait for your flight. We wish you a great trip!