If you normally fly with a different airline, you may not be aware of this one
As millions of Brits gear up to jet off on their holidays in the coming months, it’s crucial to be aware of the rules and requirements set by your chosen airline. Each carrier operates differently, so processes such as online check-in might not be the same across the board.
This is especially the case if you’re flying with TUI, or with Jet2, and you usually fly with a different airline. TUI and Jet2 passengers cannot leave it as long to perform their online check-in as they could if flying with easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, or British Airways, and being aware of this rule could mean the difference between sorting out your boarding pass – and not being able to do so.
Both TUI and Jet2 close their online check-in six hours prior to the scheduled flight departure. Conversely, with easyJet and Ryanair, online check-in wraps up two hours before take-off, while Wizz Air requires passengers to check in at least three hours ahead.
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British Airways allows check-ins up until one hour before departure. The opening times for online check-in also vary among airlines.
TUI travellers can typically check in online either 14 days or 48 hours before their flight, depending on whether they’ve pre-booked seats. Exceptions exist for flights to Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, where online check-in only opens 24 hours before departure.
Jet2 opens its online check-in 28 days before the flight, while easyJet allows this 30 days in advance. Ryanair’s online check-in opens either 60 days or 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure, contingent on whether you’ve paid for an assigned seat.
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Should you fail to check in online within the designated time frame, airport check-in may still be an option. TUI’s check-in counters typically shut 45 minutes before the flight’s departure, whereas Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air give you a 40-minute window.
For those embarking on long-haul journeys with British Airways, be aware that their desks close “at least 60 minutes” before take-off. However, if you’re travelling short-haul, you usually have up until 45 minutes before your flight to check in.