You can check in for your British Airways flight via:
- Online check-in (web check-in)
- Mobile app check-in
- Self-service kiosk check-in
- Airport desk check-in
British Airways Check-in Times
What are the check-in times and deadlines at British Airways?
The starting and closing check-in times vary by airport. You must complete your check-in process (i.e., check in for your flight and receive your boarding pass) before your check-in deadline, or your reservation may be cancelled.
You can access the check-in deadline for your British Airways flight from the Manage My Booking page (At the airport section), or by calling British Airways or your departure airport. Just make sure you check in for your flight with enough time to go through security and reach the boarding gate on time.
- Online Check-in Time
You can check in online:
- For flights departing from the U.K. From 24 hours to 1 hour* before departure.
- For flights departing from the U.S. From 23 hours to 2 hours* before departure.
- Mobile Check-in Time
You can check in with your mobile device:
- For flights departing from the U.K. From 24 hours to 1 hour* before departure.
- For flights departing from the U.S. From 23 hours to 2 hours* before departure.
- Airport Self-Service Kiosk Check-in Time
You can check in at the British Airways’ self-service kiosk from 24 hours before departure:
- Up to 20 minutes before departure at London City for all flights.
- Up to 45 minutes before departure for short-haul flights at:
- London Stansted
- London Gatwick
- London Heathrow
- Paris Orly
- Other UK and Europe airports
Exceptions
Up to 60 minutes before departure from Barcelona, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Istanbul, Milan (Linate and Malpensa), Palma, and Madrid.
- Up to 60 minutes before departure for long-haul flights at:
- London Heathrow
- Other international airports
Exceptions
Up to 90 minutes before departure from Jeddah
For the exact check-in time:
- Check Manage My Booking
- Refer to the check-in times by airport and destination
- Airport Desk Check-in Time
You can check in at the British Airways’ airport desk:
- Up to 20 minutes before departure at London City for all flights.
- Up to 45 minutes before departure at London Stansted for all flights.
- Up to 45 minutes before departure at all airports (but 60 minutes before departure from Glasgow and Edinburgh).
- Up to 45 minutes before departure for short-haul flights (but 60 minutes before departure from Milan (Linate, Malpensa), Palma, Barcelona, Istanbul, Lisbon, Madrid, and Amsterdam.
- Up to 60 minutes before departure for long-haul flights at London Heathrow and other international airports (except Jeddah: 90 minutes).
For the exact check-in time:
- Refer to the check-in times by airport and destination, or
- Check Manage My Booking
For next-day flights departing before 1 pm from London Heathrow T5, you can use the Overnight Bag Drop facility to check in from 4pm to 9pm.
Points to Remember
- Be sure to:
- Get through security at least 35 minutes before your flight’s departure.
- Reach the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight’s departure.
- Online check-in is not available for special needs passengers and unaccompanied minors.
- If you forget or lose your boarding pass, use the airport’s check-in kiosk to print it.
British Airways Online Check-in
How to check-in online for a British Airways flight
You can check in online from 24 hours to 1 hour before departure from the U.K., and from 23 hours to 2 hours before departure from the U.S.
To check in online from British Airlines’ website, follow the steps below.
- Go to BritishAirways.com
- Click on the Check-in tab (it appears below the booking box)
- Retrieve your flight booking by entering your:
- Booking reference
- Last name
- Click on the Check-in button
- Check in by following the prompts
Note
- You can also check in using the Manage My Booking tab.
- British Airways check-in from USA opens 23 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before departure.
When you check-in online, you can also:
- Choose your seat, a special meal, and book extra baggage
- Download your electronic boarding pass (most cases)
Note. In some cases, you may not be able to check in online, but only at the airport’s check-in desk.
How to Check in with British Airways Mobile App
You can check in with British Airways’ mobile app from 24 hours to 1 hour before departure from the U.K., and from 23 hours to 2 hours before departure from the U.S.
To check in with the British Airways mobile app:
- Open the app
- Tap on the Check in/Get boarding pass button
- Follow the prompts to check in
Your boarding pass will be automatically downloaded to your mobile device, incl. your Apple watch. You will now be able to access it whenever you want—even if you’re not online. After downloading your boarding pass, simply check in your bags at the Bag Drop area and head for security checks.
Note. The mobile boarding pass is available for most routes except from London City to New York due to U.S. government regulations.
How to Check in at the British Airways Self-Service Kiosk
You can check in at British Airways’ self-service kiosks (available at select airports) from 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure for long-haul flights, and up to 45 minutes before departure for short-haul flights.
How to use a check-in kiosk at British Airways
To check in at a British Airways kiosk:
- Insert your credit card, paper ticket, or Executive Club card in the slot.
- When prompted, use the touch-screen to confirm your booking.
- Select the passengers who will be checking in.
- Select (or change) your seat with the help of the interactive seating map.
- Check your bags.
- You will automatically receive a printout of your boarding pass.
Availability
Kiosk check-in can be used by passengers checking in for British Airways flights and flights operated by franchise partners. It available for use by adults, children, and infants, but not for children travelling ass unaccompanied minors.
How to Check in at the British Airways Airport Desk
You can check in at British Airways’ airport desk from 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure for long-haul flights, and up to 45 minutes before departure for short-haul flights.
After you show your travel documents at the airport’s check-in desk, you can check in your bags, you’ll be assigned a seat and given your boarding pass.
Note. Passengers travelling on intercontinental flights (incl. Moscow, Kiev, and St. Petersburg) from London Heathrow Terminal 3 or 5 must get their passports and visas checked before going for their security check.
British Airways Boarding Process
The boarding process at British Airways is a little different. Although it offers pre-boarding (for some passengers) and uses numbered boarding groups (5), the eligibility criteria change on short- and long-haul flights as short-haul flights don’t offer Premium Economy or First-Class seats.
British Airways Boarding Process on Short-Haul Flights
Pre-boarding. Includes families travelling with infants below 2 years of age and children using strollers, and passengers with a disability.
Group 1 (Priority). Includes passengers travelling on:
- A Business Class fare (Club Europe)
- An Executive Club Gold membership
- A Oneworld Emerald membership
Group 2 (Priority). Includes passengers travelling on:
- An Executive Club Silver membership
- A Oneworld Sapphire membership
Group 3 (Priority). Includes passengers travelling on:
- An Executive Club Bronze membership
- A Oneworld Ruby membership
Group 4. Includes Economy Class passengers (Euro Traveller)
Group 5. Includes passengers travelling on:
- An Economy Class fare (Euro Traveller)
- A hand baggage only fare
British Airways Boarding Process on Long-Haul Flights
Pre-boarding. Includes families travelling with infants below 2 years of age and children using strollers, and passengers with a disability.
Group 1 (Priority). Includes passengers travelling on:
- A First-Class fare
- An Executive Club Gold membership
- A Oneworld Emerald membership
Group 2 (Priority). Includes passengers travelling on:
- A Business Class fare (Club World)
- An Executive Club Silver membership
- A Oneworld Sapphire membership
Group 3 (Priority). Includes passengers travelling on:
- A Premium Economy Class fare (World Traveller Plus)
- An Executive Club Bronze membership
- A Oneworld Ruby membership
Group 4. Includes the passengers travelling on an Economy Class fare (World Traveller)
Group 5. Includes passengers travelling on:
- An Economy Class fare (World Traveller)
- A hand baggage only fare
Points to Remember
- If you’re assigned to a different boarding group when travelling with your family or friends, ask a gate agent to board you together.
- If you’re travelling with children, you’ll be asked to reach the boarding gate 40 minutes before your flight. This will ensure there’s enough time to stow the car seats and strollers in the cargo hold section of the aircraft.
- If you’re travelling with a disability and need boarding assistance, you must inform British Airways no less than 48 hours before your flight to ensure proper arrangements are made for you.
Frequently Asked Questions on British Airways Check-in Policy
You can check in and get your British Airways boarding pass:
1. From British Airways’ official website
(check in and then print, download or email your boarding pass)
2. From British Airways’ mobile app
(check in and download your boarding pass)
3. At the airport self-serve kiosk
(check in and print your boarding pass)
4. At the airport check-in desk
British Airways Brazil check-in time starts 24 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before departure if your flight departs from the United Kingdom. If your flight departs from the United States, the check-in time is from 23 hours to 2 hours before departure.
British Airways check-in bag weight for all flights except flights from/to from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Brazil, and connecting flights between India and Canada/USA/Bermuda is:
• 1 checked bag not exceeding 51lb/23kg per bag for domestic (UK) Economy Class (World Traveller and Euro Traveller) fares.
• 2 checked bags not exceeding 51lb/23kg per bag for domestic (UK) full Economy Class (World Traveller and Euro Traveller) fares and Premium Economy Class (World Traveller Plus) fares.
• 2 checked bags not exceeding 70lb/32kg per bag for Business Class (Club Europe) fares.
• 3 checked bags not exceeding 70lb/32kg per bag for Business Class (First Club World) fares.
You can check in for your British Airways flight from Terminal 1 at Hong Kong airport (HKG). However, the terminal can change at times.
You can check in for your British Airways flight from USA from 23 – 2 hours before departure.
British Airways check-in at Zürich opens 2.5 hours before departure at check-in 2 desks, line 2.
If you’re travelling on a Euro Traveller (Plus or Plus Flex) fare, you will be charged:
• USD 55/Euro 46 for the first extra bag on flights to/from London Gatwick if you pay online in advance, and USD 75/Euro 65 if you pay at the airport.
• USD 90/Euro 70 for the first extra bag on all other routes if you pay online in advance, and USD 90/Euro 70 if you pay at the airport.
You can check in for your British Airways flight from South Africa from 1 – 24 hours before departure.
You’ll find the departures area on the top floor of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. You must check in at least 60 minutes before departure for long-haul flights and 45 minutes before departure for short-haul flights. You must go through your security check at least 35 minutes before your flight’s departure and reach the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight’s departure.
British Airways has suspended flights to or from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as of now.
If British Airways online check-in is unavailable, it’s likely due to a website error or a faulty internet connection at your end. In such a scenario, try checking in with the mobile app or if that’s not an option, you’ll have to check in physically at the airport.
British Airways check-in baggage size must not exceed 35in x 30in x 17in (90cm x 75cm x 43cm) per checked bag.
British Airways check-in rules require passengers to check in for their flights:
• Between 24 hours to 2 hours before departure for flights departing to/from the United States.
• Between 24 hours to 1 hour before departure for all other flights (with a few exceptions).
Per British Airways check-in rules, special needs passengers such as unaccompanied minors cannot check in online but only at the airport. All passengers must ensure they check-in their bags and collect their boarding passes before the check-in counters close, and go through security and reach the boarding gate on time.
Yes, you can select or change your seat during online check-in.
British Airways online check-in at South Africa opens 24 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before departure.
The latest check-in time at British Airways, i.e., the check-in deadline by which you must have checked in your bags and collected your boarding pass is 2 hours before departure for flights to/from the United States and 1 hour before departure for flights to/from most other areas (with a few exceptions).
Online flight check-in at British Airways allows you to check in for your flight through British Airways official website. Simply go to the website, click on the Check-in tab, retrieve your flight by entering your booking reference and last name, select your flight, and check in.
The check-in allows you to check in for your flight via British Airways’ website. Go to the homepage, select the Check-in tab (or the Manage My Booking tab), retrieve and select your flight by entering your booking reference and last name, and check in.
British Airways uses 5 numbered groups and 1 pre-boarding group. The pre-boarding group precedes the 5 boarding groups, and is reserved for families travelling with small children using strollers and infants under 2 years of age, and passengers who require boarding assistance due to a disability. British Airways uses 5 numbered groups and 1 pre-boarding group. The pre-boarding group precedes the 5 boarding groups, and is reserved for families travelling with small children using strollers and infants under 2 years of age, and passengers who require boarding assistance due to a disability.
Yes, British Airways assigns seats for its flights. Most fares allow advance seat selections, except passengers travelling on a Hand Baggage Only fare who are assigned seats by the airline. Premium seat selections incur an additional fee.
You will be allowed to pre-board your British Airways flight ahead of others if you require boarding assistance due to a disability; if you’re travelling with small children in strollers, or an infant below 24 months of age.
If you’re travelling with an infant (below 2 years) or small children in strollers, you’ll be allowed to pre-board your British Airways flight. If you fall in this category, you’ll be asked to reach the boarding gate 40 minutes before your flight’s departure so that the crewmembers can stow away your child’s car seat/stroller in the cargo hold section of the aircraft before the next boarding group arrives.