Then, when the plane tickets are purchased, the hotel is booked, the transfer is provided, the last step remains - check-in for the flight. In principle, it seems that the matter is not difficult, but due to ignorance of some of the nuances, you can spend a lot of time at the airport, make a lot of unnecessary actions, or even miss a flight.
Registration allows you to confirm that the passenger has arrived at the boarding gate. After that, get a boarding pass, perhaps choose a place and provide baggage for inspection. There are several check-in options for the flight, we will consider in action each of them.
Online registration. Time is money and it’s better to save it
To save time, online registration is recommended. You yourself remotely arrange yourself for the flight and print your boarding pass yourself. When registering for an Aeroflot flight, they require a printed ticket. Upon arrival at the airport there is no need to stand a long line at the reception. It is also possible to choose a seat on your own, if it is allowed by your airline. Usually discounters do not allow you to use this service. You can check in your luggage yourself, and upon arrival at the airport you can find the Drop off counter, where you can leave your checked baggage. This feature is available on the carrier’s website 24 hours a day, so you can do this at any time convenient for you. Online check-in at the airport starts in 24 hours and ends in an hour, for some flights - 45 minutes before departure. There is no need to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before departure.
There is a category of passengers who cannot use the online service. Severely ill or people with disabilities, unaccompanied children, passengers with animals, those who plan to transport special or dangerous goods, those who have purchased tickets through travel agencies, when purchasing group tickets (more than 9 people).
In large airports of the Russian Federation, it is possible to print a boarding pass at the check-in counter or at the self-check-in counter.
Self check-in
A passenger can check-in on their own and without using home internet. Moscow Domodedovo Airport is equipped with self-check-in kiosks located in the center of the airport. With the help of this kiosk, a passenger independently makes out for a flight, chooses a seat on the plane and prints out a boarding pass. You must have your passport, flight information and booking code, which is indicated on the ticket or in the electronic ticket receipt. The start of the procedure, as a rule, occurs 2-3 hours before departure. Check-in for a flight to Domodedovo ends 40 minutes before departure.
Airport clearance
Upon arrival at the airport, the passenger on the board will find his flight, route and time of registration. Passport and customs control will be immediately before the procedure itself. Then at the indicated counter there is a registration of flight tickets and documents. At the same time, your main baggage will be checked out and collected. Hand luggage is not registered. Please note before buying a ticket whether the airline includes baggage service in the ticket price and what dimensions are allowed. Here you can specify the desired seats, if this is included in the price of the ticket purchased from your airline. Low cost airlines do not give such an opportunity to those who bought a ticket at the lowest cost.
How much does flight check-in end
At the airport, as in the army, everything is strictly and according to the time provided, not a minute later. If a passenger is late for check-in, it is not allowed on the plane. For example, registration for an Aeroflot flight closes 45 minutes before departure. The same situation, if it turned out at the airport that the documents were drawn up incorrectly - they would not be allowed to board. Check the documents upon purchase or in advance. Check with your carrier for how much the check-in ends.
Business Class
Business class passengers are checked in separately. It can take place in separate business rooms or at a separate desk. If not, then the registration of passengers of this class is carried out out of turn. Business check-in for a flight to Domodedovo is carried out without the participation of a passenger.
Boarding pass: its function
When baggage is checked in, tickets are confirmed and seats are selected, a passenger is issued a boarding pass, which must be kept until the end of the flight. The same applies to those who registered online and printed out a boarding pass for themselves.
The first thing you need a boarding pass for is a boarding permit, it must be presented immediately before departure and to the flight attendant.
The second, for shopping at Duty Free, is stores that are located at the airport and offer goods at a cost that does not include tax. The price tag for the goods is indicated in dollars or euros. When purchasing any product, a boarding pass must be presented to the cashier.
Third - after the flight, upon receipt of baggage. Your boarding pass contains a number similar to the one glued to the suitcase. To avoid confusion with the same suitcases.
A bit about luggage
When collecting luggage, read the rules for the export of things and their packaging. Be especially careful to check the list of permitted and prohibited items for carrying in your hand luggage. Learn how to properly pack liquids, what you need to check in your general baggage, and what should not be transported in any form.
During customs control, things and passengers themselves will be carefully inspected. People who are allowed to enter the Green Corridor do not pass customs control.
Domestic flights
The check-in procedure for domestic flights is a little faster than for international ones. The passenger does not pass through passport and customs control, it is only necessary to go through document verification and security control.
What to do at the airport before departure
When registration, passport and customs control are passed, the most enjoyable part of being at the airport is the rest and preparation for the flight. In this case, the airports have tried to please their passengers to the maximum.
With a long wait for departure, the passenger can relax in the lounge area. This is a lounge for business class passengers. If a passenger flies an economy class, there is an opportunity to buy the services of this zone. The lounge space is equipped with the necessary office equipment, Wi-Fi, there is free food and drinks, a shower, you can also use separate transport to the landing site. On average, the cost of staying in the lounge zone costs from 30 euros (about 2500 rubles) for 3 hours.
There are Duty Free and duty-free shops, often there are an infinite number of them in the departure area of international flights. In addition, there are a lot of retail stores and souvenir islands located throughout the airport.
A large number of food courts help pass the time. Fast food restaurants, coffee shops with desserts and cafes with full meals. Payment is possible both in cash and by bank transfer.
ATMs, currency exchange points, pharmacies and press centers - all this can be found on the territory. Toilet rooms are equipped for different groups of passengers, for people with disabilities or parents with children.
Throughout the airport there is free Wi-Fi and seats to wait for your flight.
The long-awaited boarding
After you announced boarding on your flight, you should go to the exit indicated on the scoreboard. Present your boarding pass one more time and go aboard.
Depending on the airport and aircraft, there are several options for getting on board an aircraft. The first and most common one - by teletrap. It may be delivered by bus to the plane gangway or you will need to walk along the airfield.
Having overcome the registration and waiting, finally reaching your seat on the plane, you can relax and enjoy the flight.
Not boring, and most importantly - a safe flight for you!