I am getting an Air India flight next week, and I would like to know whether there is a web check in for Air India flights. If there is a web check-in service, please let me know how long before I can check in. Previously with other flights I was able to check in 48 hours prior to the flight, so I am guessing it is the same with Air India.
Hello, @Dipu, welcome to the forum! Overview The Web Check-In facility is also available with Air India, also known as the WCI. This facility lets the passengers with confirmed Air India tickets check-in online with the use of a computer and of course, internet. The advantage of this facility is that passengers won't need to queue anymore for check-in at the airport. With this facility, you can also choose your preferred seat and meal prior to boarding the flight. The Web Check-In facility is available for both domestic and international flights, although there are some differences when it comes to the policies and privileges for both types of flights. However, the facility is not yet available for international flights to and from Dhaka and Muscat. It is also not available for Code Share flights which includes Alliance Air AI 9000 series of flights. Air India Web Check-In Eligibility So the question that we need to tackle first is, 'Who would be eligible for the Air India Web Check-In facility?' Below, you would find the requirements that make one eligible for the WCI facility of Air India. Passengers with confirmed Air India ticket, regardless of class of flight Both domestic and international flights (Excluding those who have flights to and from Dhaka and Muscat plus those who have flights with Alliance Air AI 9000 or Code Share flights) Passengers without any special requests (Excluding unaccompanied minors, PWD passengers with wheel chair requests or senior citizens who need special assistance) If you fit under these requirements or prerequisites, then you can avail of Air India's Web Check-In facility. Procedures for Air India's Web Check-In Facility The steps to complete WCI facility are very simple. You just need a working laptop or computer, even a tablet. If you have a printer, that's good too but you can also have your Boarding Pass printed through a coffee shop or computer shop. As for the tablet, we do live in a technology-driven world, so if you can connect it to a printer and print your Boarding Pass directly, you're good to go. No registration is needed at all, you just need your electronic ticket number, passenger name/flight details, credit card number or frequent flyer card number. Go to the Web Check-In website of Air India. You can click the link directly or go to the Air India homepage and click on the Manage Your Trip button. Under it, click on the Web Check-In button again. You would then be redirected to another page, from which you need to input important information about your confirmed flight booking and other personal details. At this point, you can also choose how many passengers you need to check-in, with a maximum of nine passengers for one PNR. After completing all the details, you would be prompted to print either a Boarding Pass (for domestic flight passengers) or a Confirmation Slip (for international flight passengers). Print either the Boarding Pass or the Confirmation Slip and bring this on the day of your flight. Alternatively, you can also send your Boarding Pass or Confirmation Slip to your email address and print it at a later time. How Early Can You Use the Web Check-In Facility of Air India? It depends on the flight itself but those domestic flights originating from Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata or Mumbai, passengers can do web check-in as early as 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. This means you can check-in within two days prior to your flight's departure, but no more than two hours before the scheduled departure. The remaining cities usually have a time frame of web check-in for at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight, so about 1 day. Again, you need to do the web check-in at 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the flight at the most. For international flights, they have the same time frame as the metro cities mentioned above, 48 hours up to 2 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. And lastly, a few flights have an advanced web check-in facility of up to 54 hours. Difference Between Boarding Pass and Confirmation Slip The Boarding Pass is issued for the domestic flight sectors only. As mentioned above, you can easily print this and use this as your pass in the airport. If you only have carry-on luggage with you, you would go straight to the Security Counter at the airport, bypassing the queue for the Check-In at the airport. If you have a few more luggages to check, you would still need to go to the Baggage Drop Counter at the airport. The Baggage Counter closes 40 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights. The Boarding Pass would serve as your pass for the airport and you won't need to exchange it anymore once you reach the airport. You need your Boarding Pass, along with a photo identification card and confirmed Air India ticket in order to board the flight. The Confirmation Slip is issued for international flight sectors. As international flight passengers need to have their documents confirmed prior to boarding a flight, a Confirmation Slip is issued instead of a Boarding Pass. It works the same way as it lets you pass by the regular queues. However, it is only exchanged for a Boarding Pass once all your documents, like passport, identification card and Air India ticket, are confirmed. Also, if you have luggage to check-in, it will also be verified prior to giving you your proper Boarding Pass. The Baggage Counter closes 60 minutes prior to departure for international flights. Conclusion The Air India Web Check-In facility is a very convenient way of checking in before your flight's scheduled departure. With this facility, you avoid the queues at the airport and also won't need to reach it at a very early time of 3 to 4 hours before the departure of your flight. Do keep in mind that once you utilise the Web Check-In, you cannot cancel it online anymore, you would need to reach the airport or reach the call centre of the airport in order to reverse your Web Check-In. Regardless, if you're someone who doesn't like wasting time, this facility is a very good option for you. I hope this helps you.
