Jazmin Li
Yes, you can check in at the airport with British Airways. You can check in at an airport kiosk, where you can print your boarding pass, or at a check-in desk. You can also check in online, via the British Airways app, or on the BA website. Checking in online is recommended to avoid being bumped off your flight, and to ensure that you get your preferred seat. If you are connecting to another flight, you can check your bags through to your final destination, as long as all flights are on the same booking reference with the same ticket number.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check-in time | 1-24 hours before flight departure for most destinations, 2-23 hours for flights to/from the US |
| Check-in methods | Online, at the airport using a kiosk or at a check-in desk |
| Baggage check-in | At Bag Drop points in the airport or the afternoon before the flight at selected airports |
| Boarding pass | Can be printed at home, at the airport or sent via email |
| Seat selection | Available from 24 hours before departure for most passengers, 7 days for Bronze members, at time of booking for Silver or Gold members |
| Connecting flights | Bags will be checked through to the final destination if all flights are on one booking reference or with oneworld airlines |
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What You'll Learn
Checking in online vs. at the airport
Checking in online is a convenient option for many passengers, allowing them to avoid long queues at the airport and arrive at their boarding gate with less stress. Online check-in is offered by almost every airline, including British Airways, and can be done via their mobile app or website. Passengers can usually check in online starting 24 hours before departure, and this also applies to return and connecting flights.
Checking in online offers several advantages. Firstly, it saves time and hassle at the airport, especially with separate bag drop desks for online check-ins, which often have faster-moving queues. Secondly, it allows passengers to choose their seats in advance, which is particularly beneficial for those who haven't paid for seat selection. Thirdly, it ensures that the airline definitely knows you're coming, reducing the risk of being bumped from an oversold flight. Additionally, checking in online gives passengers more control over their meal preferences and boarding passes, which can be printed or saved on mobile devices.
However, there are instances where checking in at the airport is necessary or preferred. For passengers with checked luggage, checking in at the airport is required, as they need to drop off their suitcases. Some passengers, particularly the elderly, may also prefer checking in at the airport due to limited access to the internet or unfamiliarity with digital processes. Additionally, certain international flights and countries mandate a document check at the airport or a paper boarding pass, making online check-in unavailable or less advantageous.
Ultimately, the decision to check in online or at the airport depends on various factors, including the passenger's comfort with technology, luggage requirements, and the specific rules of the airline and destination country. Checking in online can streamline the airport experience, but it may not always be an option, and passengers must still arrive at the airport with sufficient time for security checks and bag drop-offs.
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Check-in times
Checking in for a British Airways flight can be done online or at the airport. Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure, and passengers can select their seat at this time.
If checking in online, passengers should download the British Airways app to manage their journey. They can download their boarding passes to their devices and proceed directly to security if travelling with hand baggage only. Passengers checking in online can also choose to print their boarding passes at home or collect them at the airport.
For those checking in at the airport, passengers can use a check-in kiosk or check-in desk. They can print their boarding passes at the kiosk or collect them at the desk. At London Heathrow Terminal 5, London Gatwick, and London City airports, passengers with boarding passes can go to the Bag Drop points to check in their baggage. At London Heathrow Terminal 3, passengers can print their baggage tags at a check-in kiosk and then proceed to the Bag Drop area. At selected airports, passengers can check in their bags the afternoon before their flight.
Passengers connecting to another flight should ensure that all flights are on the same booking reference or are with oneworld airlines booked under the same reference. This will allow them to check their bags through to their final destination.
It is recommended to check-in online in advance to avoid being "bumped off" the flight in the event of overbooking. Additionally, checking in online ahead of time increases the chances of securing preferred seats.
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Bag drop
Overnight bag drop is available at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, Edinburgh, and Glasgow airports. Edinburgh and Glasgow airports offer overnight bag drop daily between 16:00 and 20:00 for flights departing the next day before 12:00. London Heathrow Terminal 5 offers overnight bag drop for flights departing before 10:00. You can drop off your bags between 16:00 and 22:00 the day before.
If you are connecting at an airport and need to clear your baggage at the first point of entry, follow the signs for 'Arrivals/Baggage Reclaim' to collect your bags. Then, check your bags in again for your connecting flight. If all your flights are on the same booking reference or are with oneworld airlines booked under the same reference, you can check your bags through to your final destination.
The number of bags you are allowed to check for free depends on your booking, cabin class, and British Airways Club membership tier. You can pay to increase your baggage allowance and check up to ten additional bags for personal items. British Airways Club Gold and Silver members, oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, and AerClub Concierge and Platinum members may be entitled to more checked baggage.
If your bag exceeds the weight limit, you may be charged a heavy bag fee. British Airways' weight limit is 23 kg per bag, and bags over 32 kg will not be accepted. If your bag exceeds the maximum dimensions, it may be considered an oversize or out-of-gauge bag.
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Boarding pass retrieval
British Airways offers a variety of ways to retrieve your boarding pass. You can check in and retrieve your boarding pass online, via the British Airways app, or at the airport.
Online Check-In
Checking in online is available 24 hours before your flight's departure. You can download your boarding pass to your device via the British Airways app, which is available on mobile, iPad, and Apple Watch. You can also download boarding passes for return flights and, where possible, connecting flights. Additionally, you can download boarding passes for up to eight people in the same booking on a single mobile device.
Airport Check-In
If you prefer to check in at the airport, you can do so at a check-in kiosk or a check-in desk. You can print your boarding pass at the kiosk, or collect it from the check-in desk. All you need is your booking reference (PNR) or passport.
Bag Drop
At London Heathrow Terminal 5, London Gatwick, and London City airports, once you have your boarding pass, you can proceed to the Bag Drop points to check in your baggage. At London Heathrow Terminal 3, you can print your baggage tags at a check-in kiosk, attach them to your bags, and then take them to the Bag Drop area.
Connecting Flights
If you are connecting onto another flight, you can check your bags through to your final destination, provided that all your flights are on the same booking reference or are with oneworld airlines booked under the same reference.
It is recommended to check in online to avoid issues with seat selection and to prevent being "bumped off" the flight due to overbooking. However, British Airways does not have a firm requirement for online check-in, and you can still check in at the airport if needed.
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Connecting flights
If you are connecting between airports, you'll need to check that you have the correct documents to enter the UK. Check if you need a visa. London Heathrow and Gatwick airports are located approximately 48km (30 miles) apart. British Airways recommends allowing at least 3 hours if you're connecting between these airports.
If you are connecting at an airport that requires you to clear your baggage at the first point of entry and you are connecting to a domestic flight in that country, follow the signs for 'Arrivals/Baggage Reclaim' to collect your bags and check them in again as normal for your connecting flight. If you are connecting onto another flight, you can check your bags through to your final destination, providing:
- All your flights are on one booking reference with the same ticket number.
- All your flights are with oneworld airlines booked under the same booking reference, even though you may hold separate ticket numbers.
If you have booked two separate flights with different booking references to reach your final destination, you will need to check in your bags for your first flight. If you do not have a boarding pass for your connecting British Airways flight, you will have to check in. Follow the Flight Connections signs and make your way to a Customer Service Desk, where a member of British Airways staff will be able to assist you. If your flight is with another airline, please contact their representative.
If you are arriving or departing on another airline's flight from the North terminal at London Gatwick Airport, you can use the shuttle service between North and South terminals. These operate 24 hours a day and the journey takes just 3 minutes.
At London Heathrow Terminal 5, London Gatwick, and London City airports, once you have a boarding pass, you can get your baggage tags and check your bags in at the Bag Drop points. At London Heathrow Terminal 5, the Bag Drop points are in Zones C, D, and F of the Departures area. At London City, the Bag Drop point is on the main Departures concourse. At London Heathrow Terminal 3, you can print your baggage tags at a check-in kiosk (even if you have already checked in), attach them to your bags, and take them to the Bag Drop area in Departures.
Check-in 1-24 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart if travelling anywhere but to/from the U.S. Check-in 2-23 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart to/from the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
You can check in at the airport from 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure.
You can check in at the airport using a check-in kiosk or a check-in desk. You will need your booking reference (PNR) or passport.
Yes, you can check in your bags at the airport. At London Heathrow Terminal 5, London Gatwick, and London City airports, you can get your baggage tags and check your bags at the Bag Drop points.
If you are connecting onto another flight, you can check your bags through to your final destination, as long as all your flights are on one booking reference with the same ticket number or are with oneworld airlines booked under the same booking reference.
Yes, everyone can select their seat beginning 24 hours before departure.
