United Airlines is providing the best services for pairing value and comfort while flying internationally. Check-in is the elemental step for boarding a flight for your journey. United Airlines check-in policy provides its passengers the benefit of congenial boarding and travel experience. United Airlines Check-in time, baggage allowance check & flight boarding vary depending upon the route of travel and your destination. United check-in commences 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of your United Airlines reservation. You can check in on your booked flight by various methods such as:
- Online or web check-in.
- Through app check-in (IOS, or android)
- Auto-check in.
- Voice check-in.
- At the airport.
- curbside check-in.
- self-service kiosk check-in.
- at ticket counter check-in.
How can I check in for my United Airlines Flight?
Passengers can check-in on United Airline flights 24 hours prior to the departure time of their flight. United Airlines check in deadline is 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your booking depending upon the route of travel and destination. Check in time is different for different types of check in. Check-in as per your choice and comfort by reducing the touchpoints. United Airlines offers passengers plenty of options for a hassle-free check-in as described below.
Online
By using online check-in, you can check in comfortably while working or by sitting at home. United Airlines web check in allows passengers to modify their flight ticket, check-in baggage and perform seat selection of their choice. Are you wondering how to check in online for your United Airlines flight booking? You can check in for your flight reservation in a few simple steps.
- Visit the official website of United Airlines.
- Retrieve "Check-in" from the header of the website.
- Fill in the required details of your booked ticket.
- Confirmation number.
- Last name.
- Press the "Search" button and select the flight and check in.
Note: Mobile check in is available from 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure till 1 hour before the scheduled departure of your flight.
Are you eligible for online check-in on United Airlines?
Mentioned below are the things while you become ineligible for online check in.
- While having a paper ticket.
- A person traveling with a pet.
- If your travel itinerary contains more than 4 connecting flights.
- Traveling on a group booking.
- While traveling on the basic economy with checked baggage.
- Unaccompanied minor traveling without an adult on United Airlines.
- People with disabilities who have special service assistance request at the airport.
Auto Check-in
- You are eligible for United Airlines auto check in on domestic flights only.
- Your check in gets done automatically if you provide boarding documents forge ahead.
- You can select auto check in mode on the United Airlines mobile app or website.
- It will check you in when the check in window opens.
- If the timings for your return flight are within 24 hours of the scheduled departure of your original flight. Your return flight check in is automatically done.
Note: It is another type of web check in, if your return flight ticket gets check in automatically in case it falls within 24 hours of your original flight.
Through Mobile
You can easily check in by using your wireless device on United flights. Visit official website of United Airlines on your browser or check in through the United Airlines app on your mobile phone. You can check in on your mobile on both ios and android. Using a mobile app for check in is more convenient to operate as compared to web check in. You can check in through mobile in a few steps.
- Log in to the United Airlines mobile app.
- Press the "Check-In" option.
- Select your flight and request check in.
Note: Mobile check in is available from 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure till 1 hour before the scheduled departure of your flight.
Voice Check-in
- United Airlines has partnered with Amazon providing voice check in.
- United has introduced a voice recognition service for easy check-in.
- People with visual disabilities can also check in easily for their United Airlines flight.
- Passengers only need to pronounce check in and details over the phone.
- You can check in baggage also through this mode of check in.
- Frequent flyers have to make a phone call at +1-800-864-8331 and say "check-in" when required within minutes.
- Dial at 1-800-864-8331 United Airlines customer assistance service number.
- Say "Check in" to the automated menu on your phone.
Note: Passengers with group bookings under the same PNR number are not eligible to check in with this mode.
At the airport
You can check in soon after reaching the airport. Additionally, you can check in baggage also for traveling with United Airlines. There are various options for United Airlines check in at the airport such as visiting the self-service kiosk, ticket counter at the airport, or curbside check-in.
Self-service kiosk
- You can check in by yourself at the airport as self-service check-in at the kiosk.
- Passengers can check their baggage as well at the kiosk.
- You just need to keep your booking reference number and details handy.
Note: You can check in at the airport kiosk starting from 30 minutes of flight booking till 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure of your United Airlines.
Curbside check-in
Curbside check in for United flights is available at certain airports in the USA. You need to search for the list of airports before selecting this option. Passengers have to carry all the required documents with them for this check in option. Some of the airports providing curbside check in are Boston, O'hare, San Diego, Denver, SFO, Orlando, Newark, LAX, etc. This check-in time varies depending upon the origin of departure and destination of the flight.
Note: Curbside check in commences 30 minutes prior to the departure of the flight and the check in deadline is 4 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight.
Ticket counter
You can visit directly at the United Airlines ticket counter at the airport. Request the United Airlines customer care number for check in. Provide all the required details whenever asked to such as Passport, photo ID proof, booking number, etc. You can also check in your luggage at the ticket counter during check in at the airport by paying a baggage fee. In addition, you are free to select the seat of your choice through this mode of offline check in.
Note: You can check in for your United flight from 30 minutes to 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure of your flight booking.
What is the time for check-in?
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends reaching the airport 2 hours prior and 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the flight on domestic and international travel respectively.
- Passengers must check in for their domestic United Airlines flights 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
- For international flights check in 60 minutes prior to the departure time of your flight.
| Type of Flight | Ideal timings for arrival at airport | Minimum Check-in Time |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 2 hours | 30 minutes |
| International | 3 hours | 1 hour |
Note: Various cities within the US have 45 minutes before your scheduled flight as check in time and non-US cities have scheduled 75 to 90 minutes as check-in time before your scheduled flight.
When should I reach the boarding gate for the United flight?
Passengers must reach the 2 to 3 hours prior to their flight's departure time at the airport for boarding. You must board the plane 15 to 30 minutes before the departing time before the doors get closed for your domestic and international flights, respectively. Even if you have check-in to your flight online, we advise you to reach the airport keeping enough time for easy boarding. Listed below is the catalog of airports and their boarding gate timings as additional documentation and security check in are required.
- Brussels (BRU): 60 minutes
- Brussels (BRU): 60 minutes
- Dublin (DUB): 30 minutes
- Kwajalein (KWA): 60 minutes
- Lima (LIM): 30 minutes
- Majuro (MAJ): 60 minutes
- Guam (GUM) to Honolulu (HNL): 60 minutes
- Koror (ROR): 60 minutes
- Kosrae (KSA): 60 minutes
- Pohnpei (PNI): 60 minutes
- Sydney (SYD): 60 minutes
- Truk (TKK): 60 minutes
- Yap (YAP): 60 minutes
| Type of Flight | Time to reach boarding gate | Boarding Gate Closing Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 45 minutes | 30 minutes |
| International | 1 hours | 45 minutes |
United Airlines Boarding Groups
As per the United Airlines check in policy, they list passengers in 6 boarding groups including pre-boarding group and 1-5 groups. These groups board the plane by standing on blue and green lanes. For example group 1 board the plane through the blue lane and group 2-5 boards the United Airlines flight through the green lane.
- Pre-boarding groups encompass passengers with disabilities, US military personnel, pregnant ladies, traveling with pets, unaccompanied minors, senior passengers, and persons traveling with infants or children below 2 years.
- Group 1 group includes passengers with premier platinum, gold members, premier cabin (Polaris, Business, and First class), and star alliance gold members.
- Group 2 passengers encompass members who have purchased priority boarding access, United Presidential plus, MileagePlus awards cardholders.
- Group 3-5 embrace passengers traveling with Economy Plus, basic economy, and United economy fare types.
Special Assistance Check-in counters
Group 1 members can take benefit from United Airlines' special assistance services of United Airlines. United Airlines provides special or we can say additional facilities maintaining the accessibility and inclusion of everyone while boarding and traveling on United Airline flights. United Airlines Check-in customer care service is easily available at the airport.
At the airport
- Verbal flight information.
- Voice Check-in.
- Wheelchair assistance.
- Tactile buttons and speech command at the airport kiosk for self-service.
- TDD (Telecommunication device) for persons with hearing impairment at each domestic airport.
- Flight information display screens at some of the airports.
On the flight
- Safety briefings on the flight.
- Assistance to the lavatory, seat, and boarding.
- For loading and unloading carry-on items.
- Identifying meal times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can check in bags through web check in online. You must reach keeping extra time for dropping your bag at the airport baggage drop counter before the deadline for check in ends for your flight booking.
If you are traveling with less than 9 persons, your flight itinerary contains less than 4 segments, and the first flight of your booking is operated by United Airlines.
Yes, you can add an extra bag while checking in for your United Airlines flight online. Baggage fee while check in depends upon the origin of your flight departure and destination.
Yes, you can check in your baggage on the self-service kiosk for traveling with United Airlines. You can also select seats of your preference.
Yes, United Airlines check in policy provides an additional benefit of seat upgradation at the time of online check in. Making your journey hassle-free and comfortable. You can select the seat of your choice for the enhanced comfort of your trip.
You can check in at the ticket counter with all the required documents. In addition, you can check in your baggage, select seats, and get the boarding pass during your counter or desk check in.
The phone number for contacting United Airlines customer care is +1 800 864-8331. They are available 24X7 and provide assistance for all queries related to check in, cancellation, or flight change.
You might not be following the guidelines of United Airlines check in. You can go through the check in terms and conditions before proceeding again for the check-in or you can check in at the airport for your flight.
United Airlines has changed its boarding process as passengers will board the United Aircraft from the back of the airplane and deplaning will start from the front of the airplane. They have made masks compulsory during the entire flight.
2 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight is the perfect time to reach the airport even if you have made already done the check in for your United Airlines flight.
No, United Airlines generally doesn't charge a fee for seat selection if the seats are available and you are checking in through any mode.
If you are unable to check in online you may be falling under the restrictive rules of United Airlines. You can check in at the airport through a kiosk, curbside, or ticket counter.
Yes, with web check in you can swap your seat or select the desired seat during check in.
Yes, you can check in your bags on your own at the time of check in while traveling with carry-on bags. You can check in with your bags through the kiosk, curbside, or at the ticket counter as well.
You can reprint your boarding pass at a self-service kiosk at any airport by checking in again for your United flight.
You can check in on United Airlines starting 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of your flight. The check in time varies depending upon your departure and destination airport.
