British Airways Check-in

You can check in for your British Airways flight via:  

1. Online check-in (web check-in) 
2. Mobile app check-in
3. Self-service kiosk check-in 
4. 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. 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 

4. 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.

1. Go to BritishAirways.com
2. Click on the Check-in tab (it appears below the booking box)
3. Retrieve your flight booking by entering your:
   1. Booking reference
   2. Last name
4. Click on the Check-in button
5. 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:

1. Open the app
2. Tap on the Check in/Get boarding pass button 
3. 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:

1. Insert your credit card, paper ticket, or Executive Club card in the slot. 
2. When prompted, use the touch-screen to confirm your booking.
3. Select the passengers who will be checking in. 
4. Select (or change) your seat with the help of the interactive seating map.
5. Check your bags.
6. 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. 

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Frequently Asked Questions on British Airways Check-in Policy