How many hours do you need to be at the airport before departure. How many hours before departure do you need to be at the airport How long do you need to be at the airport

It's no secret to anyone that you need to arrive at the airport in advance. This is necessary in order to timely check in for a flight and a rather tedious screening procedure, check in luggage without too much haste and visit everyone's favorite Duty Free store, where sometimes you can buy branded goods at a very low price. But if this is your first trip with an air flight, then the question immediately arises, how long before departure you need to be at the airport.

No hurry at the airport

It is quite difficult to name the most suitable time to arrive at the airport. It should be taken into account that this parameter is influenced by the direction of the flight, the presence and specifics of checked baggage, and, of course, the individual qualities of the passenger. Those who go abroad, check in their luggage and are not well versed in the area should arrive in advance. Those travelers who have already completed the check-in procedure can afford to arrive at the airport a little later.

For many now, the first association is items that are usually sent in luggage: mobile chargers, some personal items, a wallet, etc. But we are talking about the documents required for the flight. First of all, you need to take a passport and a ticket to the airport. For domestic flights, regular passports will be checked, but for boarding an international flight, foreign ones.

Quite often, trips abroad require the presence of another travel document - a visa. It is obtained by the passenger at embassies or visa centers. But there are a number of countries that put visa stamps directly at the airport.

Check-in for a flight

The answer to the question, how long before departure you need to be at the airport in order to check in with a minimum of worries and unnecessary fuss, is approximately the same for most airlines: at least 2 hours before departure.

Registration for foreign flights ends 40 minutes before departure, in rare cases - an hour. Check-in for flights within our country ends 30-40 minutes before the flight. Usually, information about the exact time of completion of this procedure is provided by the air carrier's information service or reported on its official website. Boarding stops approximately 25 minutes before departure. Therefore, if the traveler arrives for check-in or boarding later than this time, then his are considered latecomers and are not allowed to board the aircraft.

Unpleasant to be among the late passengers

Many airlines now offer online check-in. Passengers only need to enter their details and receive a boarding pass. Electronic registration is available on the websites of air carriers, and less often on the website of airports.

The main advantage of such an online procedure is that it is already available 24 hours before departure, so that travelers have the opportunity to deal with this procedure at any convenient time. Many are also attracted to the fact that they can avoid the queues that always accompany check-in. Since the boarding pass is issued in advance, the passenger has the opportunity to independently choose the most convenient seats on board the aircraft.

But check-in via the Internet is not available for all routes and not at all airports. Also, passengers cannot pass it:

• accompanying persons with disabilities;
• transporting works of art;
• transporting animals;
• with which a small child flies on a free ticket.

Screening at the airport

A mandatory procedure before boarding the aircraft is the inspection carried out by the security service. This regulation is valid worldwide to ensure maximum traveler safety. The purpose of this procedure is to check that checked baggage and carry-on baggage do not contain prohibited or dangerous items.

Travelers should be aware that at some airports baggage inspection is carried out without the presence of a passenger. This rule applies if the passenger simultaneously receives a boarding pass and checks in baggage. In this case, only the contents of hand luggage will be inspected in front of the passenger, and even then just before boarding.

Now there are still no uniform standards regarding the rules for carrying baggage on board an aircraft. Many nuances vary depending on the country and the chosen airline. But there are a number of rules that are the same for all states and air carriers. This includes a list of items and substances that are not allowed to be carried on an aircraft. You can get acquainted with them on the website of any airline. This mainly concerns explosives and gases, flammable liquids, toxic and oxidizing substances and weapons. Things are a little more complicated with what you can take into the cabin as hand luggage. In case of any doubt, you should check in advance the list of things that the selected airline allows you to carry on board. Passengers should also be aware that liquids can only be transported in the cabin in strictly limited quantities. Airport authorities and airlines reserve the right to introduce additional restrictions for passengers. You just need to be ready for this.

It is best for leisurely passengers to be at the airport at the start of check-in.

Two hours before departure is the best time for domestic flights. But if the passenger has already checked in for the flight, then he may even arrive at the airport a little later. Do not forget that you must be at the airport before departure in Russia before the check-in is completed, and it ends about 40 minutes before the flight. Well, traffic jams are a natural factor in our country that affects the arrival time at the airport.

How long to arrive at the airport for an international flight

With international flights, things are somewhat more complicated. Usually, before the flight, passengers need to go through customs control, then check-in, and at the end of everything - present documents at the passport and visa control. Upon arrival, the traveler goes through the same procedures, only with the understanding that they follow in reverse order. The check-in time before the flight departure may increase slightly, so it is recommended to be at the airport at least 3 hours.

What other reasons should you arrive at the airport earlier?

It is worth considering the fact that at an unfamiliar airport it may take a lot of time to find all the necessary authorities. Some major airports have a very serious checkpoint at the entrance, which can also form a queue.

Finding the right authority takes time

Additional time will also be required for passengers who wish to pack their luggage on site. Shoppers who intend to wander around the Duty Free hall should also be on the alert.

How to reduce the time of passing formalities at the airport

In order to avoid trouble upon arrival at the airport, it is enough to follow a few simple rules. To begin with, you should make sure that there are no items and substances in your baggage and carry-on baggage that are prohibited for transportation, or that may be considered potentially dangerous. You should also print out in advance all the necessary flight documents that were issued online. And the last advice applies to those who have all the necessary documents on hand and are traveling light (without checked baggage) - go straight to security and then just wait for the landing to start.

What services can be obtained while waiting for boarding

In addition to the generally accepted procedures (check-in, transfer, baggage delivery), passengers can no extra charge:

• go to the mother and child room;
• make a couple of phone calls and get free drinks (if the flight is delayed by more than 2 hours);
• request a hot meal (if the flight is delayed by more than 4 hours);
• get a hotel room and a transfer to it (if the flight is delayed for more than 8 hours);
• deposit luggage.

In contact with

Those who often fly on airplanes know that the registration procedure is limited to certain time frames. And also there are a number of procedures that must be completed before landing. In order not to be late for the plane, you need to understand how much you need to arrive at the airport. This greatly simplifies the start of the journey and saves nerves, both for the passenger and the company's employees.

How long before departure do you need to be at the airport

Aeroflot and other airlines strictly regulate the rules for what time to arrive at the airport so that all passengers can check in on time, check in their luggage, and complete all the necessary documents.

The list of things to do is quite extensive:

• check in luggage;
• declare some things (sometimes such a need arises);
• register;
• pass inspection.

Therefore, it is always necessary to arrive at the airport in advance in order to have enough time to prepare without haste and fuss.

Almost all airlines begin to check in passengers for a flight, starting 2 hours before departure. But with the use of new technologies, electronic flight registration online opens within a day. It enables the passenger to check-in independently via the Internet without a queue. In this case, you can arrive at the airport 1 hour before departure, as it is better to have some free time than to be late for the plane.

How to check in for a flight at Moscow airports if you are late

Three major air hubs are located in Moscow, which provide the main flow of air traffic. If you are on your way to Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo or Domodedovo, and you understand that you may be late, you should go to the airline's website through a special mobile application. This is a convenient way to quickly issue a boarding pass for those who are late. Here, a mobile boarding pass with a QR code is issued, which must be presented when boarding from the smartphone screen.

Important! To read information, employees have devices that will provide all the data about the passenger.

How many hours you need to be at the airport, you need to plan taking into account the road. You need to leave the house in advance, taking into account possible traffic jams or public transport schedules.

When online check-in is not allowed

Some airlines allow passengers to go through the check-in procedure on their website one day before the departure of the aircraft. You can also be at the airport, check-in through your phone, tablet or laptop, connecting to the network. The possibility of online check-in should be clarified with the carrier in advance. Also, if possible, you should know the categories of passengers who, after going through an independent procedure, will be able to receive boarding passes. When registering a flight online, there are some nuances. There are a number of restrictions that prohibit this type of registration:

• travelers with children who receive free boarding passes must check in at the airport building;
• persons with disabilities, as well as persons accompanying them, must arrive 3 hours before boarding;
• if animals are being transported, you need to go to the check-in desk to complete the inspection procedure, and also get a customs ticket;
• jewelry, large sums of money require declaration, so preparation for departure takes more time.

Important! Even if you check in for a flight online, given the above reasons, you will have to go through the necessary procedure again.

How long does it take to check in for flights?

General rules that are established by the internal regulations of all airlines:

• 2 hours before departure - for domestic flights;
• 3 hours before departure - for international flights.

How long does it take to arrive on a domestic flight

The optimal arrival time at the airport depends on many unforeseen situations that take extra minutes. You need to check in your luggage, clarify the data, so you need to have time with a margin. After completing all the procedures, you should leave time to wait for the flight. Situations are different, especially when traveling with children, in a hurry, you can forget documents, or other important things that you will need on a trip: buy water, food, have lunch or check everything you need in your luggage, have time to buy medicines and so on.

Passenger check-in for domestic flights starts 2 hours before departure.

Important! It should be borne in mind that during the holidays, the queues of passengers are especially large, so it is better to arrive early in order to have time to go through all the necessary registration procedures without panic and haste.

How long does it take to check in for domestic flights?

Some companies set the check-in close time - 30 minutes before departure, when you can still check in, so late passengers can have time to go through all the procedures, and then proceed to boarding. The holiday period when there are many passengers, charter flights can reduce the time if the flight is full. However, it is necessary to carefully monitor the scoreboard, for charters, information can change.

Other airlines close check-in one hour before boarding. Sometimes there are situations when passengers are late for the flight. In such cases, they go through all the necessary procedures in a quick manner, but this is the exception, not the rule.

Sometimes check-in of passengers for domestic flights ends 40 minutes before boarding. By this time, all passengers should be ready, so you should carefully follow the information board when they start announcing the boarding so as not to miss it.

How long does it take to check in for international flights?

Passengers who fly abroad should know how much time to arrive at the airport in order not to miss check-in, as different time regulations apply.

Important! You should arrive 3 hours before the start of the flight, as check-in for foreign flights closes 1 hour before departure.

The departure time of the flight may vary depending on the situation, and the departure may be up to 15 minutes earlier. You may need to provide additional information during check-in and passport verification, which delays the verification process. Sometimes you need to wait for the travel agent to bring your passport with visa stamps, return home for permits for the child, and so on. It would be a shame not to fly on a long-awaited vacation, because they forgot the documents from the notary at home.

Why you need to arrive at the airport early

It is recommended to come to the airport in advance, especially for beginners who are going through the procedure of screening, registration and flight for the first time. An airport is a place where constant turmoil can make an inexperienced passenger nervous. Therefore, it is necessary to have a margin of time to search for an electronic scoreboard, to familiarize yourself with the necessary information:

• start of registration;
• end of registration;
• start of landing.

Important! If you are traveling with an organized group of tourists, you need to arrive early to find a travel agent coordinator. He will distribute passports, boarding passes, give the necessary advice to those who fly for the first time.

During check-in, various circumstances may arise when checking the boarding pass, technical errors in the documents, excess baggage or detection of prohibited items. Therefore, you need to carefully consider all the nuances in advance and plan how much to arrive at the airport, otherwise you will have to rush to look for a check-in counter, check in your luggage and board.

It will also take some time to study the check-in desks, search for a customs control point, time to inspect luggage and hand luggage, find terminals, WC and other necessary places.

Passengers with experience in flights advise that you need to immediately look for the scoreboard, which contains information about the flight you are flying. Then, after the announcement of the start of registration, find out the number of the counter, and then go through all the procedures.

Important! If you are transporting animals, you must arrive early, as you need to go through an additional paperwork process to obtain an exit permit.

Many passengers like to walk around the airport building, watch the takeoff and landing of planes. It calms and sets you up for the journey. There is also a Duty Free shop in the building, where you want to take a walk to buy imported alcohol, chocolate or perfumes.

You may also need to exchange currencies if you did not have time to change small money in order to pay for taxi services, porters, etc. in local currency upon arrival.

You definitely need to come to the airport, even if you are an experienced tourist and dozens of times over the years, with a margin of time, if you are carrying money or jewelry that you need to declare, which takes time.

If you are traveling with children, a minimum of 30 minutes must be added to complete all procedures. Airport employees will carefully check all documents, there may be a need to provide the necessary papers, sign, etc., so you need to be at the airport early.

Thus, how much time you need to arrive at the airport depends on many factors: travel experience, type of flight, the amount and type of luggage that you carry with you, the presence of children, animals, etc. If you learn how to arrive at the airport on time, you can calmly go through all the procedures before departure and ensure a great start to your trip.

Every traveler knows that it is necessary to be at the airport in advance before departure. Timely arrival at the airport terminal will allow you to go through all the procedures in advance before boarding the plane. Before departure, you must go through check-in and control, as well as check in your luggage. Many tourists like to visit the world-famous Duty Free store, where bargains are made. Not all travelers are aware of how much time it takes to arrive at the airport before departure.

It is difficult to name the exact time of arrival at the air harbor. Several factors must be taken into account in order to correctly calculate the time of arrival at the airport. For example, having luggage and checking it in will increase the time it takes to go through procedures before check-in. Travelers who decide to travel for the first time must also arrive at the airport in advance. And tourists who have checked in for a flight online may arrive at the airport with a slight delay.

To make a flight, you need to take certain things to the airport. First of all, it's documentation. Air travel requires a passport and a plane ticket. If you are a passenger on a domestic flight, you need a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. An international passport is required for international air travel.

When buying an air ticket through a ticket office or at an airline office, you will receive a paper document. When booking a seat in the aircraft cabin via the Internet, you will receive a travel document in electronic form. It is advisable to print it for a domestic flight, and for an international flight, a paper version of an electronic ticket is required.

To travel to some countries, you may need a visa, that is, a special permit to enter the territory of the state. This document is issued to travelers at the embassy, ​​as well as at the visa center. To visit some states, a visa stamp is placed at the airport during the registration and control procedures.

Airline employees warn passengers that it is necessary to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the departure of the airliner. In this case, it will be possible to go through the necessary procedures in order to board the aircraft in a timely manner. If you are a passenger of an aircraft departing for another country, then you should understand that check-in for such flights ends 40-60 minutes before departure. Check-in for domestic flights closes 30-40 minutes before the airliner's departure.

You can find out the exact information about the time period of registration procedures on the official website of the airline or by calling the help desk. Usually boarding the aircraft ends half an hour before departure. Therefore, if a tourist arrives at the airport later than this time, he will not be allowed to check in as a latecomer.

Some airlines offer online check-in. To do this, the traveler must enter the required data on the airline's website in order to receive a boarding pass. You can find out about the possibility of electronic registration on the official website of the air carrier. Online check-in is also available on some airport websites. The advantage of electronic registration is a significant saving of time and money.

Another advantage of online check-in is that the passenger can receive a boarding pass 24 hours before the departure of the airliner. Without leaving home, at any convenient time, the passenger checks in independently, thereby avoiding queues at the airport. And due to the fact that the traveler is given the opportunity to check in in advance, he can choose the most convenient seats in the cabin.

The disadvantage of electronic registration is the impossibility of its passage at some airports and for certain flights. There is also a list of passengers who cannot check in online. This list includes:

• travelers accompanying disabled people;
• carriers of works of art;
• passengers with animals;
• tourists with a small child for whom a free air ticket is purchased.

Airport security personnel screen passengers before each boarding. This procedure is mandatory for all airport terminals to ensure the safety of tourists and airline workers. Passenger screening checks luggage, as well as hand luggage. This is necessary for the timely detection of prohibited and dangerous things and objects that can harm others during an air flight.

The rules of some airports indicate that baggage inspection can take place without the personal presence of the passenger. This usually happens when the traveler checks in and checks in their personal luggage at the same time. Baggage, which will be transported in a separate aircraft compartment, will be checked by the airport staff themselves. And the passenger will have to show the contents of hand luggage before boarding the cabin of the airliner.

There are no uniform standards for the transportation of baggage on board an aircraft. Each country and airline has specific rules, but some standards for air passenger cargo transportation are the same all over the world. There is a single list of items, materials and substances that are strictly prohibited on board a passenger aircraft. You can read a detailed list of prohibited baggage on the official website of the airline or airport. Passengers are prohibited from taking weapons, explosives and poisonous substances, flammable liquids on board.

As for hand luggage, the list of permitted items can also be found on the website of the air carrier or at the airport information desk. If you have any questions, it is best to contact the airline or airport.

You should be aware that travelers are only allowed to take a limited amount of liquids on board. And be prepared that the rules for carrying baggage and hand luggage when traveling by air can change at the request of airline or airport employees.

If you are among the leisurely people, then you should arrive at the air harbor no later than 2 hours before the departure of the aircraft. If you checked in for the plane online, then you can take your time. The check-in procedure for flights within the country usually ends 40 minutes before the departure of the airliner. The passenger must have time to arrive at the airport before the end of the check-in procedure. Therefore, pre-calculate the time of the road to the airport terminal, so as not to miss the plane.

International flights: passenger arrival time

To go abroad, the passenger will need to go through a different number of procedures before boarding the aircraft. In addition to check-in for the flight, the traveler must control the customs and passport and visa department. Therefore, the time spent at the airport before an international flight increases. The airline staff recommends that passengers who decide to leave the borders of our country arrive at the air hub 3 hours before the departure of the aircraft. This will allow you not to be late for the flight in case of difficulties during the passage of mandatory procedures at the airport.

Additional Reasons for Arriving Early at the Airport

If the plane will take off at an unfamiliar airport, then you may need additional time to find the necessary departments. If the terminal is large, then get ready to stand in long lines for registration and control.

Additional time is also required for packing and dropping luggage. And lovers of shopping in Duty Free should take care of the availability of free time in advance to visit their favorite store.

If you follow certain rules, then the necessary procedures before the flight will go through quickly and without problems. When you collect luggage and hand luggage, check the list of prohibited items in advance. This will allow you to quickly pass the security screening. Sometimes there are doubts about the safety of air transportation of certain substances, so leave questionable items at home.

All documents required for air travel must be in perfect order. If you bought an air ticket and checked in online, print out your electronic travel documents first.

If you are traveling without luggage and checked in online, you can head straight to the security checkpoint. And then you just have to wait to board the plane.

If, after passing the check-in and other control procedures, you have to wait for the plane, you can use the services from the list completely free of charge:

• visiting the room of mother and child;
• the ability to use the phone;
• check-in of luggage for storage;
• if the flight is delayed for 2 hours or more, passengers can get free drinks;
• when the plane is delayed for 4 hours or more, tourists are fed hot meals;
• if the airliner is delayed for 8 or more hours, the passenger can count on a hotel room and free travel to it.

If you need at least one of the above services, please contact the airport staff.

Arrival time at the airport

The procedure for registering for an aircraft can take a long time. Each air carrier warns customers in advance that it needs to be passed on time, within the time frame established for this.

When does check-in for domestic flights of Russian airlines start and how long does it take? When does the passenger need to arrive at the airport in order to catch the plane on time?

Check-in time for domestic flights

In order to get on board the aircraft by the time of departure, you first need to know how much the check-in for domestic flights of the air transportation company closes. Most often, according to the rules of most airlines, it starts two hours before the departure time. However, the start time may be determined by the rules of a particular airport.

Check-in of passengers and luggage for domestic flights ends 30-40 minutes before departure. It should be remembered that each airline can set its own time. Therefore, for how much it ends at the airport, it is better to check with the air carrier in advance, when buying a ticket.

How long does it take to arrive at the airport so as not to be late for check-in?

If a passenger has not checked in for a flight before the set time, the airline has the right to dispose of his seat on the plane at his discretion. In this regard, even a five-minute delay can have unpleasant consequences for a delayed traveler. How to determine the best time to arrive at the airport so as not to be late for the check-in time for the flight?

Often, airline employees themselves advise their passengers to have at least one or two hours left before the end of the registration procedure. Especially if the passenger is flying for the first time or this airport is unfamiliar to him. By this time, duty-free visits or additional packing of existing luggage should be taken into account before check-in is made. Check-in may take longer, for example, due to a long queue at the counter. At large airports, it is useful to know in advance how long it will take to get from the entrance to the counter and find the right terminal.

Online check-in

Today, a passenger can not only purchase air tickets for any flight via the Internet, but also go through online check-in. The procedure is quite simple: the passenger checks in for the flight and checks in, if necessary, baggage, entering information into a special form on the airline's website. After that, a mobile phone will be sent which is printed directly at the airport, using a special device in front of the control line.

When does online check-in for domestic flights start and how long does it take? You can check in online for a flight one day or 23 hours before departure. This procedure ends in most airlines when 1 hour remains before departure. For some air carriers, for example, Aeroflot, the time for terminating online check-in has been extended to 45 minutes.

Is there any chance to get on the plane after check-in time is over?

Of course, arriving at the airport with enough time to spare is the best way to fly away without unnecessary nerves. But even knowing how much the check-in for domestic flights ends, it is impossible to foresee everything. If the passenger is still late for check-in, does he have the opportunity to get on his flight? Of course, if the plane has already left the airport, it is impossible to get on it. But in the case when registration is no longer in progress, but the plane has not taken off, the passenger has a small chance of getting on board.

If the check-in is over and less than 40, but more than 25 minutes are left before the departure time, you can use a special counter, which is called, respectively, the “Desk for checking in late passengers”. For everyone, except for business class ticket holders, the registration procedure in this case will be paid.

Counters where latecomers can check in are available at most airports. If they are not available, the passenger can contact the representative of the airline operating his flight. As a rule, these employees are at the check-in counter before the departure of the aircraft. If there is enough time before departure, an airline representative can also board a late passenger.

Before you go on a trip by plane, you should be prepared to stand in more than one line. Passing the necessary pre-flight formalities at the airport takes a lot of time. That is why it is very important to arrive at the terminal building on time. Experienced travelers who are familiar with all the nuances know perfectly well how long before departure you need to be at the airport. What to do if you are not yet very experienced in this matter? Then this article is for you. Let's figure out what conditions passengers should be aware of, how long all the necessary procedures take, and whether this process can be accelerated.

Airline conditions

How long before departure is it best to arrive at the airport? It is not always possible to name a figure with an accuracy of up to a minute. The fact is that the time of arrival at the airport depends on many factors. We list some of them:

Direction of flight (domestic or international flights);

specific requirements of the carrier;

The presence of luggage (especially oversized luggage, including art, animals, etc.);

Possibility of electronic check-in for the flight.

It is also important to take into account the seasonal factor. During the high tourist season, on weekends and holidays, during the morning or evening rush hours, traffic on the road to the airport can be difficult. So the travel time should be calculated taking into account possible delays on the way.

Experienced travelers are well versed in familiar airports, know where the check-in and screening counters are, where to go next, so they can afford to delay a bit on the way. But here, too, it should not be abused.

In addition, often when entering the airport you have to go through a small security area. Usually this formality takes no more than a couple of minutes, but sometimes a queue can form here. So it’s worth laying a small, at least five minutes, margin of time for this.

To avoid unpleasant moments and unnecessary delays, prepare in advance and put all the documents necessary for the flight in a separate compartment of the bag. So, if you are, keep your passport and itinerary receipt with a boarding pass ready. If you are flying abroad, a passport is mandatory in the package of documents (with a visa affixed, if required by the legislation of the country). In some countries, at the airport of arrival you may be asked to present an insurance policy and proof of financial security.

Traveling with pets also requires additional time. Please note that your pet will have to go through a veterinary screening at the airport, after which you will be issued a flight permit and a boarding pass. This also takes time, especially not only you, but also other passengers with four-legged friends go through veterinary control.

Pre-flight formalities include several procedures: check-in for the flight and baggage, customs clearance, pre-flight inspection, passport control and boarding the aircraft. Let's consider these procedures in more detail.

We check in on board the liner in the building of the boarding complex

What do you need to do first upon arrival at the terminal building? Of course, register. By the way, it is precisely the time frame associated with the check-in of passengers and baggage that is advised to be guided by both experienced travelers and the airlines themselves.

The check-in time for the flight depends on where you are going. When flying within the country, the processing of passengers and luggage by the airport terminal staff begins two hours before the departure of the aircraft. It is by this time that the airlines themselves recommend that customers come to the terminal building.

Check-in for international flights starts earlier. This is due to the large number of required procedures: in addition to inspection before departure, customs and border inspections await you. In this regard, when flying abroad, airlines recommend that tourists arrive at the airport at least three hours before the departure of the flight. During this time, you will have time to calmly go through all the required formalities and arrive on time at the right exit for boarding the plane.

Remember that the airline may refuse to transport a passenger who is late for check-in or boarding. This provision is fixed in Art. 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations "General Rules for the Air Transportation of Passengers, Baggage, Cargo and Requirements for Servicing Passengers, Consignors, Consignees". So, check-in for domestic flights usually ends 30-40 minutes before departure, for international flights a little earlier - 40-60 minutes. Boarding ends 20-25 minutes before flight departure.

Electronic check-in for a flight

Today, many airlines offer passengers an alternative to checking in directly at the airport. For convenience and saving time, you can go through electronic registration on the website of the air carrier. These actions allow the passenger to reduce the time spent in the "air harbor" - you can calmly finish all your business and arrive an hour and a half before departure.

Usually, online check-in for the flight opens one day before the departure of the aircraft.

There are several advantages of electronic check-in for a flight. If the ticket fare involves the choice of a seat by the passenger, then you will be able to study the cabin layout of your liner in advance and in a calm mode and choose the most convenient seats for you. Accordingly, if you are flying with a companion or family, then you are guaranteed to know that you are sitting nearby.

When you check in online, you will receive a boarding pass by email. It remains only to print it out (you can do this at home or at self-service counters at the airport). So you don't have to stand in line at the front desk.

But there is one nuance that should be taken into account. If you are traveling with a suitcase, then you will have to hand it over. Some airports do not provide separate check-in counters for passengers; you will be offered to do this at the same counters where other passengers check in. You can clarify these points by contacting the representative of the airline you have chosen by calling the hotline.

In addition, this service is not available on all flights and not for all categories of passengers. So, electronic registration is not available if you are accompanying people with disabilities or traveling with a small child who does not occupy a separate seat. You will have to go through the check-in process at the airport if you are bringing valuable art or pets.

You can also find the airline's recommendations on the carrier's website. For example, Aeroflot, one of the largest Russian airlines, clarifies that if you are traveling with luggage, even in the case of online check-in, you need to arrive at the check-in desk no later than 45 minutes before the flight departure. If you only have hand luggage with you, then you must be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before departure. At this point, you must pass security control.

Passage of security control

Upon arrival at the airport, passengers go through several stages of screening. The first one is at the entrance to the terminal building. You need to go through the metal detectors, here the employees inspect the contents of bags and suitcases. In Russia, there are frames at the entrance at all airports, in other countries it happens that there is no such zone or the inspection is carried out selectively.

After check-in and baggage check-in, passengers proceed to special screening areas. Security officers here carefully check whether the passenger is carrying prohibited items on himself or in hand luggage. It is necessary to take into account the queues at the checkpoints and the time to remove outer clothing, belts, and in some cases shoes. In general, this procedure takes about 10-20 minutes, sometimes it takes up to half an hour.

It should be noted that only those things that the tourist takes with him into the cabin of the aircraft are checked in the inspection zone. Baggage checked in at the check-in desk is checked without the presence of the passenger.

In order not to get stuck at this stage, it is necessary to study in advance the list of things allowed and prohibited for transportation. In particular, there is a general ban on the carriage, both in baggage and in hand baggage, of flammable and flammable substances, poisonous compounds and weapons. There are also strict rules regarding the transport of liquids in the cabin of an airliner (they must be packed in containers with a volume of less than 100 ml, the total volume of liquid cannot exceed one liter). All this information can be found on the website of the air carrier, and, if necessary, clarified by calling the hotline. So you save time and nerves.

Time saving in an Aeroport

How to quickly go through all the necessary formalities at the airport? There are several ways to save time.

If you are checking in online, please print and bring with you all receipts and boarding passes for all passengers in advance. If you are traveling light, then with these documents you can safely bypass the check-in counters and go to the inspection area.

Responsibly approach the rules of airlines, especially in terms of carrying things in the cabin and in luggage. Suitcases must not contain prohibited items, and their dimensions and weight must comply with the regulations established by your carrier. The seizure of prohibited substances and items and the processing of excess baggage requires additional time.

How to brighten up waiting at the airport

In order for passengers to have something to brighten up the waiting for their flight, the airports have everything they need: shops, restaurants, cafes, playgrounds for children, rooms for mother and child. Passengers are waiting for the flight in the common hall or business lounges (depending on the ticket purchased or the availability of certain privileges).

If your flight is delayed, then you are entitled to additional free services. When a flight is delayed more than two hours, you are entitled to a free soft drink or two phone calls. If your flight is delayed by more than four hours, you will be served free meals. When your flight is delayed by more than eight hours, passengers must also be accommodated in a hotel at the expense of the airline, providing a free transfer to and from the hotel.

Nuances for beginners

Think in advance how you will get to the airport. Consider the possibility of unforeseen situations: the taxi may be delayed, and there may be traffic jams on the way to the airport. If you are using public transport, please check the timetable. In Moscow, it is convenient to use the Aeroexpress - a high-speed train that runs to the airport and back.

Always respect the time limits set by the airline. If you are late, it is not certain that you will be able to get your money back for the ticket. In addition, a comfortable margin of time will save you from unnecessary fuss before the flight.

If you are confused at the airport or need help, contact your airline staff. They will always tell you where the counters you need are located and what to do in case of force majeure (if you are late, the flight is delayed or rescheduled).

It would be useful to study the map of the airport in advance in order to orientate yourself in the work of the terminal zones at home and decide where you need to go to check in and where to drop off your suitcases. Some terminals consist of several remote terminals, sometimes it can take up to half an hour to get from the entrance to the check-in area. Even if the airport is not very large, allow 5-10 minutes to find the necessary check-in desks or other necessary areas. Take into account the queues for individual employees (for registration, inspections), it may take another 20-30 minutes.

Tourists are advised to arrive half an hour before the start of registration, who receive tickets and documents purchased from a travel agency already at the airport before the start of registration. Here you will first have to find the counter of your tour operator and, possibly, stand in line from other tourists.

Additional time will be required by the procedures for packing luggage at the airport and processing the tax-free return.

Allow for an extra half hour if you want to shop duty-free. When buying, do not forget that you should not unpack the package from the store before the end of the flight - some goods (alcohol, liquids with a volume of more than 100 ml) are not allowed to be carried in ordinary hand luggage, an exception is made only for packaged goods from Duty Free.