Air India Check-In Policy

Air India has several ways to check in for a flight: 

• Web Check-in 
• Mobile Check-in 
• Office Check-in 
• Tele Check-in
• Kiosk Check-in 
• Airport Counter Check-in 

Air India Check-in Timing

The best time to check in is 2 hours before a local flight leaves and 3 hours before a foreign flight leaves. Both local and foreign flights have check-in counters that close an hour before the flight. This means that you should have checked in at least an hour before your flight.

Web Check-In Time:

• For flights within India (within India). From 48 hours to 1 hour before the flight. (*Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh are all 2 hours away). 
• For Flights to other countries. Between 48 hours and 2 hours before the flight.

Mobile App Check-In Time

You can use your phone’s app to check in from 48 hours to 90 minutes before your flight.

City Office Check-In Time

You can check in at a city office between 12 and 2 hours before your flight.

Tele Check-In Time

You can check in by phone for a domestic flight up to two hours before it leaves if you are in Executive Class or a Frequent Flyer member and doesn’t have any checked bags. Tele-check-in is only possible from Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, which are all major hubs. 

Kiosk Check-in Time 

People going within India on domestic lines can check in at a self-service kiosk at least two hours before their flight. At some airports, you can use the self-service machines. 

Airport Counter Check-in Time 

• For flights within India (within India). From two hours to one hour before the plane leaves.
• For flights within India (within India). From 48 hours to 1 hour before the flight.
• (*Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh are all 2 hours away). 
• For Flights to other countries. From three hours until one hour before the flight.

Both local and foreign planes close their check-in counters one hour before departure. This means that you should have checked in with your luggage at least one hour before your flight is due to leave.

Air India Web Check-in 

You can check in online through Air India’s website for international flights starting 48 hours before departure until 2 hours before departure. For domestic flights within India, you can check in online from 48 hours before departure until 1 hour before departure. You can check in for your flight anywhere from 48 hours to 1 hour before departure, except for flights from Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh where the check-in time is 2 hours before departure. 

To perform a web check-in on Air India’s website:

• Go to AirIndia.in 
• Click on Manage Your Trip and select Web Check-in 

Benefits of Online Check-In

• Please select a seat.
• To get your electronic boarding pass, simply download it and print it out. 

Boarding Pass

After you check in online, you will get your Boarding Pass or Confirmation Slip sent to your email as a PDF file. 

• If you are traveling within India, you will get your Boarding Pass sent to you through email. You need to print it out and take it with you to the airport. 
• If you are traveling from India or on a flight that goes both within India and internationally, you will receive a Confirmation Slip. You need to show this slip at the check-in counter to get your printed Boarding Pass. 
• If you are traveling to destinations outside of India, you will receive a Boarding Pass. Make sure to bring a copy of it with you to the airport. 

Restrictions

You cannot use web check-in for 

• flights using a code 
• Flying with Alliance Air (AI 9000 series)
• air travel from Dhaka
• passengers who need special accommodations due to a handicap
• unaccompanied children

Air India Mobile Check-in

You can use your mobile app to check in for your flight anytime between 48 hours and 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time. You can check in for your flight without registering by logging in to the Air India mobile app.

How to do Mobile Check-In?

• Choose the check-in option. 
• Please provide the necessary information. 
• To check in, simply follow the steps that appear on your screen. 

Benefits of using Mobile Check-In

• Check-In for your flight.
• Choose a seat of your choosing.
• View The schedule for Air India. 
• Access The Contact Center of Air India. 

Boarding Pass

You will receive a confirmation email when using the mobile app to check in for an international flight leaving from India. You must present this email at the check-in counter in order to acquire a printed copy of your boarding pass. Your smartphone app will also keep the check-in information under My Trips, where you may access it and present it at the airport together with a legitimate picture ID. Your Boarding Pass will then be printed out for you. After that, you can move on with the formalities and security checks. 

You won’t need to bring a printout of your boarding pass since at some airports, you can scan your 2D Mobile Boarding Pass to get through security checks.  

Restrictions

You cannot use web check-in for 

• flights using a code 
• Flying with Alliance Air (AI 9000 series)
• air travel from Dhaka
• passengers who need special accommodations due to a handicap
• unaccompanied children

Name Change Policy 

To check-in for your domestic or international flight, you can go to a specific city office in select metro cities in India. You can do this between 12 hours and 2 hours before your flight’s departure time. 

When you visit a city office for check-in, you can also:

• You can check in whether you have baggage or not.
• Please collect your boarding pass. 
• To avoid paying extra fees for your baggage, make sure to pack within the weight limits specified by the airline. 
• Please consider upgrading your seat.
• Please choose a seat that you prefer.
• Please leave your checked bags.

Tele-Check-in

Passengers in Executive Class and Frequent Flyer members have the option to check in by phone up to 2 hours before their flight, as long as they are not bringing any checked baggage with them. You can currently use tele-check-in at only 6 metro airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. 

Self-Service Kiosk Check-in 

When traveling in India, you have the option to check in using a self-service kiosk at certain airports. Once you’ve checked in, you can easily print your boarding pass from the machine. Then, if you have any luggage with you, you can go to the Baggage Drop counter to check it in.

Note: You cannot use kiosk check-in for: 

• Alliance Air flights (AI9000 series) 
• International flights 

The passengers listed below cannot use the self-service kiosk for check-in. They will have to go to the airport desk to check in in person:

• Passengers of Alliance Air flight (AI 9000 series) 
• Passengers who are traveling from India 
• Unaccompanied minors refers to children who are traveling without adult supervision.
• Passengers who are traveling with pets
• Passengers who need special assistance 

Airport Counter Check-in 

For domestic flights, you can check in at the airport desk between 2 hours and 1 hour before departure. However, for flights from Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh, you should check in 2 hours before departure. For international flights, you can check in between 3 hours and 1 hour before departure.

To make sure you don’t miss your flight, you need to check in before the deadline of 60 minutes. Once you present your valid travel documents at the airport counter:

• You can check in your bags. 
• If you need to, you can pay for extra baggage.
• You will be given a seat. 
• You will receive your boarding pass. 
• If you want how much you carry free baggage then check out Air India Baggage Policy. 

Note:

You should go to the airport’s service desk to check in for the following situations: 

• If your airport does not offer online or self-service kiosk check-in options.
• If you have a disability or have asked for special help. 
• If you are traveling with a pet. 
• If you are traveling alone as a minor.

FAQs

What are the different ways to check in for an Air India flight?

Air India offers several check-in options: Web Check-in, Mobile Check-in, Office Check-in, Tele Check-in, Kiosk Check-in, and Airport Counter Check-in.

What is the best time to check in for a local or foreign flight?

For a local flight, it is recommended to check in 2 hours before departure, while for a foreign flight, 3 hours before departure is advised. Check-in counters for both local and foreign flights close 1 hour before the flight’s departure.

How can I perform a Web Check-In for my Air India flight?

To perform a Web Check-In, visit Air India’s website, click on “Manage Your Trip,” and select “Web Check-in.” You can check in online from 48 hours to 1 hour before the flight for domestic flights, and 48 hours to 2 hours before the flight for international flights.

What are the restrictions for using Web Check-In?

Web Check-In cannot be used for flights using a code, Alliance Air flights (AI 9000 series), air travel from Dhaka, passengers needing special accommodations due to a handicap, or unaccompanied children.

How can I check in using the Air India Mobile App?

You can use the Air India mobile app to check in for your flight from 48 hours to 90 minutes before departure. Simply choose the check-in option, provide the necessary information, and follow the steps on your screen. Mobile Check-In is available for both domestic and international flights.