Kenya Airways offers several check-in options. You can check in online, via the mobile app, or at the airport counter. Online check-in with an e-ticket (restricted for travel to the U.S.) is available from 30 hours to 1 hour before departure.
Gold and Platinum level Flying Blue members flying to any destination from Nairobi are entitled to priority check-in, priority boarding, and lounge access with one passenger.
What check-in options does Kenya Airways provide?
Kenya Airways check-in policy allows you to check in via:
Kenya Airways Web Check-in (Online Check-in)
How to check in online at Kenya Airways?
Kenya Airways online check-in is powered by Amadeus. The system allows you to web check-in for your flight from 30 hours to 1 hour before departure on international flights and from 30 hours to 90 minutes ahead of departure on domestic flights. However, if you’re traveling to the United States, you must check in at the airport due to security reasons—you cannot check in online.
On the day of travel
If you’ve checked in online or with the mobile app for your KQ flight, you must drop your baggage at the baggage drop-off counter at least 2 hours (120 minutes) before departure on an international flight, and at least 1 hour before departure on a domestic flight. If you’re not travelling with checked baggage, you can head straight to the boarding gate at the time indicated on your boarding pass.
To check in online from Kenya Airways website:
- Go to Kenya-Airways.com
- Select Check-in online from the Prepare for Travel tab
- Enter your:
- Departure date, and
- Booking reference number or E-ticket number
- Click on the Continue button
- Select your flight and check in
After checking in, you can:
- Print your boarding pass.
- Receive your boarding pass by SMS.
- Receive your boarding pass by email.
- View, select, or change your seat(s).
Online Check-in Exceptions
You will not be able to web check-in if:
- You’re traveling to the United States
- The web check-in facility is not provided at the departure airport
- Your KQ flight booking is not confirmed
- You have a physical disability
- You have requested assistance and are traveling alone
- You’re travelling as an unaccompanied minor
- You’re traveling with an infant
- You’re holding a group booking of 10 or more passengers
Note
- If your airport does not allow boarding passes to be printed at home, you will need to collect your boarding pass at the airport.
- If your flight booking includes a return flight within 30 hours, you can check in for it as well with your first flight.
- You can web check-in for your flight whether you’re travelling with just carry-on luggage or checked luggage.
Kenya Airways Mobile Check-in
How to Check in with Kenya Airways mobile app
You can check in with the mobile app from 30 hours to 1 hour before departure on international flights (24 hours if you’re travelling to/from the United States), and from 30 hours to 90 minutes prior to departure on domestic flights. However, if your flight departs to the United States, you will have to check in at the airport.
After you check in with the mobile app, your mobile boarding pass will show up as a QR code on your smartphone’s screen (see image). Simply save it to your device and show it at the airport to go through the security checks.
Passengers Not Eligible for Online Check-in
You will not be able to check in with the mobile app if:
- You’re flying to the U.S.
- The online check-in facility is not provided at the departure airport
- You’re holding an unconfirmed booking
- You’re physically disabled
- You’ve requested airport assistance and are flying alone
- You’re an unaccompanied minor
- You’re flying with a lap infant
- You’re flying on a group booking of 10 or more
You can use the mobile app to:
- Search and book flights
- Select a preferred seat
- Upgrade your seat
- Check in for your flight
- Check your flight status
- Change your travel dates
- Pay for excess baggage in advance
- Cancel your flight booking
- Request a refund
- Request special meals
(at least 48 hours/2 days) before departure)
- Add extras
- Update your contact information
Airport Counter Check-in
Kenya Airways recommends that you check in physically at the airport at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes) before departure on international flights and at least 90 minutes prior to departure on domestic flights (within Kenya).
Priority Check-in. If you’re a Flying Blue Elite member (Gold or Platinum) flying to any destination from Nairobi, you are entitled to:
- Priority check-in and boarding
- Lounge access with one guest
To register your Miles, you must present your Flying Blue card at the airport check-in. You can also upgrade (subject to availability) from Economy S, B, or M booking class to Business Class if you have sufficient Miles in your account.
Note
- If you’ve already checked in online or with the mobile app, you must drop your baggage at the baggage drop-off counter:
- At least 2 hours (120 minutes) before departure if you’re flying on an international route.
- At least 1 hour (60 minutes) before departure if you’re flying on a domestic route.
- If you’re traveling without any check-in baggage, reach the boarding gate at the time indicated on your boarding pass.
Check-in Times at Kenya Airways
You must physically check in at the airport no less than 2.5 hours (150 minutes) before departure on international flights, and at least 90 minutes for domestic flights.
Online Check-in Time (Web Check-in Time)
You can check in online (via www.Kenya-Airways.com) for your Kenya Airways flight:
- For international flights—from 30 hours to 1 hour before departure.
- For flights to/from the United States—from 24 hours to 1 hour before departure
(online check-in for flights to the United States is currently closed, so you must check in at the airport for your flight). - For domestic flights (within Kenya)—from 30 hours to 90 minutes prior to departure.
Note
- Passengers traveling to the United States must check in at the airport—they are not permitted to check in online due to security reasons.
- All passengers must reconfirm their flights:
- 72 hours prior to departure for a domestic flight.
- 7 days prior to departure for an international flight.
If you book a flight with less time to go, you’ll need to reconfirm while booking, either by phone or email at Customer.Relations@kenya-airways.com.
- The check-in desks/counters at the airports close:
- 60 minutes prior to departure for an international flight.
- 30 minutes prior to departure for a domestic flight.
- 90 minutes prior to departure for any flight departing from Guangzhou, China.
Mobile App Check-in Time
The mobile app check-in time with KQ’s mobile app is the same as the online check-in time above.
Airport Counter Check-in Time
You must check in at the airport counter:
- At least 2.5 hours (150 minutes) before departure on international flights, regardless of travel class. All international check-in desks close 1 hour (60 minutes) before departure.
- At least 90 minutes ahead of departure on domestic flights (within Kenya). All domestic check-in desks/counters close 30 minutes prior to departure, regardless of travel class.
At least 90 minutes ahead of departure in Guangzhou, China, where all check-in desks/counters close 90 minutes ahead of departure.
Frequently Asked Questions on Kenya Airways Check-in
This guide answers some of the most common questions about Kenya Airways check-in so that you can arrive at the airport feeling confident and prepared. From how early you should arrive at the airport to the best time to check in and the airline’s check-in policy, we’ve got you fully covered!
Online check-in starts 30 hours ahead of departure (24 hours in case of the United States) and closes 1 hour before departure on international flights but 90 minutes ahead of departure for flights within Kenya. However, for security reasons online check-in is currently closed for passengers traveling to the United States.
Remember, the check-in desks/counters for international flights typically close 60 minutes prior to departure and 30 minutes prior to departure on domestic flights.
Yes, all passengers are required to reconfirm their flights. If you’re traveling on an international flight, you must reconfirm at least 7 days before departure, and for domestic flights at least 72 hours (3 days) before departure. If you book your ticket within the above-mentioned periods, you must reconfirm your flight at the time of booking by phone or email (Customer.Relations@kenya-airways.com).
You must check in physically at the airport at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes) before departure if you’re travelling on an international flight and at least 90 minutes prior to departure if you’re travelling on a domestic flight within Kenya.
According to Kenya Airways check in policy:
• Passengers must be at the airport check-in desks at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes) before departure when travelling on international flights and at least 90 minutes prior to departure when flying within Kenya.
• The online and mobile check-in time for international flights is 30 hours (24 hours in case of the U.S.) to 1 hour before departure. For security reasons, passengers travelling to the U.S. are required to check in at the airport counter.
• The online and mobile check-in time for domestic Kenya flights is 30 hours to 90 minutes prior to departure.
• All passengers must reconfirm their flights 7 days before departure when flying on international flights and 72 hours (3 days) before departure when flying within Kenya.
• Check-in desks/counters close 60 minutes prior to departure if you’re flying on an international flight and 30 minutes prior to departure if you’re flying on a domestic flight.
It is advised that you reach the airport check-in counter at London Heathrow Airport at least 3 hours (180 minutes) before departure on European and intercontinental KQ flights.
You must check in at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) 2.5 hours (150 minutes) before departure on an international flight and 90 minutes prior to departure on a domestic flight.
Kenya Airways allows you to check in online (via the airline’s website), with the airline’s mobile app, and at the airport check-in counter.
Yes, you can check in for your Kenya Airways flight with an internet-enabled laptop or mobile device— either through the airline’s website (Kenya-Airways.com) or mobile app.
You can check in online for your Kenya Airways flight from the United Kingdom from 30 hours to 1 hour before departure. However, if you’re flying to the United States, you will have to check in physically at the airport and should reach the airport at least 3 hours (180 minutes) before departure.
You can check in for your Kenya Airways flight online using an internet-enabled laptop or smartphone. To check in online through the airline’s website, go to Kenya-Airways.com, select Check-in, enter your booking reference number/E-ticket number/frequent flyer number and departure date, tap the button market Continue, and follow the prompts to confirm your check-in. After you check in online, you will have the option to print your boarding pass or receive it via SMS or email.
You can check in online from 30 hours (24 hours in case of the U.S.) to 60 minutes prior to departure on an international flight and from 30 hours to 90 minutes prior to departure on a domestic flight.
Kenya Airways check-in baggage allowance for Economy Class on international flights in 2 bags of 50lb/23kg each. For details, click on the link.