Checking in - your options
We've made checking in fast and easy so you can spend more time doing what you want to do.
Your options for checking in
There are four ways you can check in for your British Airways flight; online at ba.com; on your internet enabled mobile phone; at an airport kiosk; or at a British Airways check-in desk.
Open all linksClose all links- Check-in times
- Check in on ba.com from 24 hours before your flight
- Mobile check-in
- Check yourself in at an airport kiosk
- Disability and special assistance
- Passport or ID check
- Baggage to check in
- Go through airport security on time
Check-in times
It is important that you check in for your flight and get to the gate on time.
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You must be in possession of a boarding pass by the time check-in closes, or you will not be accepted for the flight.
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Make sure that you allow enough time to complete the necessary security checks at the airport, and get to your gate on time.
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All British Airways check-in desks at London Heathrow and Gatwick will close 45 minutes before the flight departs.
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Online check-in closes one hour before your flight’s scheduled departure.
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You can view the check-in times that apply to your booking in the ‘At the airport’ section of Manage My Booking.
Check in on ba.com from 24 hours before your flight
Whether you’re travelling for business or going on holiday you can make the start of your journey as enjoyable and stress free as possible by checking in online, open from 24 hours before your flight departs.
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Check in for your flight from the comfort of your home, office or hotel.
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Choose your seat and explore a plan of the aircraft. You can even choose seats for travelling companions if they appear on your booking. Remember, the earlier you check in the wider the selection of seats you will have.
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Print your own Boarding Pass and you can go straight through security at the airport, if you have hand baggage only. If you have bags to check in, go to one of our Bag Drops when you arrive at the airport, so that your bags can be tagged and accepted for the flight. Then go straight through security to departures.
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You can also choose to fax, email or save your Boarding Pass so you can print it later. You can even print it at one of our check-in kiosks at the airport.
Mobile check-in
ba.com is now with you wherever you are. You can check in whilst travelling to the airport, or choose seats for tomorrow’s flight home without leaving the beach.
By visiting ba2go.com on your mobile phone you can select seats and check in individuals, groups and families for departure or return flights.
Once you have checked in, you can choose to:
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pick up your boarding card from the airport (from a check-in kiosk or check-in desk)
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email the boarding card for printing later or send it to a fax machine
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log on to online check-in from a computer with a printer when you’re able to use one.
Check yourself in at an airport kiosk
Save time at the airport with our quick and easy to use check-in kiosks, available at selected airports.
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Use the interactive touch screen to check in for your flight within minutes.
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Choose your own seat from those available using the interactive seating plan.
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Check in for your onward or return flight, if it’s within 24 hours.
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Print your own boarding pass.
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Available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
All you need is:
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your booking reference OR
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a form of identification (e.g. credit/debit card, Executive Club card or passport) and your flight number.
View a demonstration of a check-in kiosk
On all flights departing from London Heathrow Terminal 3, London Gatwick and London City airport you can use a British Airways check-in kiosk to print your baggage tags, even if you have already printed your boarding card at home. When you have printed your baggage tags, please drop your tagged baggage at one of the Bag Drop desks.
Check-in kiosks are available to:
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customers travelling on British Airways flights, including those operated by our franchise partners
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adults, children and infants
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groups of up to six people on the same booking
(Groups of more than six passengers per booking will be checked in individually.)
You cannot use a check-in kiosk if:
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you’re starting your journey on another airline, including British Airways codeshare flights operated by our oneworld alliance partners
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your child is travelling alone.
Disability and special assistance
If you have a disability, additional needs or cannot use check-in on ba.com or a check-in kiosk, there are still check-in desks available at the airport, where our customer service staff will take care of you.
Passport or ID check
Your passport or ID will be checked at the airport, before you board your flight.
Passport and visa check at Terminal 5
If you’re flying longhaul or taking a shorthaul flight to Moscow, St Petersburg, Tripoli or Kiev and you’ve checked in online or at a check-in kiosk at the terminal, you will need to go to one of the passport and visa check desks before going to security.
If you have baggage to check in, your passport and visa will be checked at a Bag Drop or customer service desk.
Baggage to check in
If you have baggage, you can go to a Bag Drop desk, where your baggage will be tagged by a customer service agent and sent to the aircraft.
On all flights departing from London Gatwick, London Heathrow Terminal 3 and all flights to destinations within Europe from London City you can use a British Airways check-in kiosk to print your baggage tags, even if you have already printed your boarding card at home. When you have printed your baggage tags, please drop your tagged baggage at one of the Bag Drop desks.
Make sure you’ve had a look at your specific baggage allowances before you get to the airport. You will find these in ‘Manage My Booking’ in the section called ‘My booking’.
Go through airport security on time
Please allow yourself plenty of time to go through airport security checks.
Increased security at most airports means that the screening of hand baggage and body checks can take longer, particularly at busy times, so please allow plenty of time to get to your flight on time.
Extra security when travelling from the USA
When travelling from the USA, you must go to a check-in desk and see a British Airways agent, even if you have used online check-in or a check-in kiosk. This is to complete formalities before you go through security.
London Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5
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At London Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5, you must be through security 35 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
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You must be at your boarding gate 20 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
Boarding the aircraft
Please have your boarding pass and passport (plus any other travel documents like visas etc.) readily available when boarding at the gate.
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You will need to show your boarding pass to the cabin crew when you board the aircraft.
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If you arrive at the boarding gate after the gate has closed you will not be able to board the flight.