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Checking in - your options

There are three ways you can check in for your British Airways flight - online at ba.com, at an airport kiosk or at a British Airways check-in desk.

Online Check-in

The calmer way to check in

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.

  • Check in for your flight from the comfort of your home, office or hotel.
  • 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.
  • Print your own Boarding Pass so you can pass through Check-in at the airport more quickly. Alternatively choose to fax, email or save your Boarding Pass so you can print it when you wish.
  • Check in online even if you are travelling with bags. Simply drop off your baggage at one of the Bag Drops when you arrive at the airport, then speed through to Departures where you’ll have more time to work, shop or relax.

Check yourself in at an airport kiosk

If you do not have internet access to check in online, you can still save time at the airport by using a check-in kiosk, even if you have bags.

  • Use the interactive touch screen to check in for your flight within minutes.
  • Choose you own seat from those available and print your boarding pass.
  • Available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
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 luggage for the hold, your passport and visa will be checked at a Fast Bag Drop or Customer Service Desk.

Fast Bag Drop

Once you’ve chosen your seat and printed your own boarding pass, go straight to the designated Fast Bag Drop desk at the airport. There your baggage will be tagged by an agent and sent to the aircraft.

Baggage allowances

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’.

Special assistance

If you have 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.

Check-in times

It is important that you check in for your flight and get to the gate on time.

  • You must be in possession of a boarding pass by the time check-in closes, or you will not be accepted for the flight.
  • Make sure that you allow enough time to complete the necessary security checks at the airport, and get to your gate on time.

You can view the check-in times that apply to your booking in the ‘At the airport’ section of Manage My Booking. All British Airways check-in desks at London Heathrow and Gatwick will close 45 minutes before a flight departs. Online check-in times remain the same - closing  one hour before the flight departs.

Going through security

Please allow yourself plenty of time to go through airport security checks.

Please note - if you are travelling from London Heathrow Terminal 5 you must pass through check-in and security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs.

Increased security at most airports means that the screening of hand baggage and body checks can take longer, particularly at busy times.

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.
  • You will need to show your boarding pass to the cabin crew when you board the aircraft.
  • If you arrive at the boarding gate after the gate has closed you will not be able to board the flight.

Please note - if you are travelling from London Heathrow Terminal 5 you must be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight departs.