The summer holidays are upon us, and families nationwide are prepping to take off in pursuit of sun-soaked destinations and a much-needed respite. The excitement of a holiday is undeniable, but it can also be accompanied by stress, particularly when you’re responsible for essentials like passports and boarding passes.
Without these, your travel plans won’t get off the ground, so staying informed about the latest regulations and information is crucial. Checking in is necessary to secure your boarding passes, and each airline has its own set of procedures.
For UK holidaymakers plotting their summer escapes, we’ve compiled the check-in and boarding pass details for popular airlines such as TUI and Ryanair.
TUI
TUI customers can check in online 48 hours before flying out, or 24 hours prior if heading to Mexico or Jamaica. However, those who have splurged on Premium, Extra Legroom seats, Extra Space seats, or opted for the Choose Your Seat service, can access online check-in 14 days before the flight’s scheduled departure, allowing them to obtain their boarding passes well in advance.
TUI’s official website advises: “In either case, you’ll need to check in for your outbound and inbound flights separately. Online check-in closes six hours before your flight departure time.”
Holidaymakers are being urged to download the TUI app to “stay updated on things like your departure gate number”. In case of any hiccups with online check-in, travellers should head to the airport where TUI staff will “check you in as normal and issue your boarding pass”.
easyJet
easyJet is advising its customers to “please check in online”, which can be done from 30 days up until two hours before the flight’s scheduled departure. After checking in, passengers can either download or print their boarding passes.
Passport details are required for online check-in. easyJet further advises: “You cannot use a PDF scan of your boarding pass on your mobile device as the airport security team will be unable to scan them.”
In case of losing a boarding pass, easyJet reassures that “If you lose your boarding pass don’t worry, you can simply print them again.”
Passengers should ensure that their boarding passes are printed clearly, as per easyJet’s guidance.
Should there be any changes needed after downloading your boarding pass, such as adding an extra bag, easyJet states that you’ll need to check in again to obtain a new boarding pass. Infants under two years old sitting on a parent’s lap do not require a separate boarding pass; however, if a seat has been booked for them, they will need one.
If there are issues with online check-in in such cases, “you may not be able to check in online so if you have any difficulty please check in at the airport at least two hours before your flight”.
Jet2
Jet2 offers customers the convenience of online check-in from 28 days up to six hours before the flight’s scheduled departure. Alternatively, passengers can opt to check in at Jet2’s airport desks, which open three hours and close 40 minutes before take-off.
To check in online with Jet2, travellers need to visit “Manage My Booking” on a computer, tablet, smartphone, or through the Jet2 app. Once the necessary details are entered, boarding passes can be downloaded directly to a smartphone or printed.
Jet2 advises that passengers with checked luggage should arrive at the check-in desks “no later than the minimum check-in time shown on your itinerary or at least 2 hours before your departure time, whichever is the earlier”. The airline also reminds customers: “These check-in times vary by airport so please do check your itinerary carefully.”
Furthermore, Jet2 emphasises the importance of allowing enough time post-check-in to navigate security, customs, and immigration, advising passengers to be at the boarding gate “You must allow sufficient time after check-in to proceed through security, customs and immigration in order to present yourself at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.”
Ryanair
For Ryanair customers, online check-in is mandatory, and boarding passes must be printed out or downloaded onto a mobile device unless they have purchased a Flexi Plus ticket, which includes complimentary airport check-in. Those who have opted for a reserved seat with Ryanair can check in online as early as 60 days before their flight departs.
However, for those content with being allocated a seat at no extra charge, the check-in window opens 24 hours before departure and closes two hours prior to takeoff for all passengers. After checking in, travellers can either print their boarding passes or store them on their mobile devices.
Ryanair’s policy is clear: “Your boarding pass must be printed on a single A4 page or downloaded through the Ryanair app.”
Without a Plus or Flexi Plus fare, neglecting to check in online outside of the two-hour pre-flight window will incur an airport check-in fee.
It’s also vital to note that check-in desks close sharply 40 minutes before the scheduled flight departure time.