Check in online allows to download your boarding pass and skip the hassle of waiting at the airport’s check-in counter, but why can’t you check in online for my flight sometimes, and why check in is not working?
Generally, you cannot check in for your flight online for many reasons. if you try to check in too early or late for the check-in window, the website or app has a technical issue or a glitch, the airline needs to verify your travel documents, like your passport / visa or if there’s a security flag.
Today, in this detailed guide I covered all the reasons, why you can’t check in online on your airline website or app and what the possible solutions are.
Let’s dive right in.
TL;DR
If you can’t check in online for your flight, it’s usually because you’re outside the check-in window, the flight is overbooked, the airline website to app has a technical issue, or the airline needs to verify your documents (passport or visa).
Some other reasons include booking through a travel agent, entering incorrect information, unpaid fees, codeshare flights, or additional security checks.
If online check-in still doesn’t work, you can always check in at the airport counter or kiosk
09 Reasons Why Airlines Don’t Allow You To Check In Online
1. Trying to Check-In Before the 24 Hours Window
Most airlines make check-in available starting 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure.
If you booked your ticket, you can check the email or text message notification you get from your airline, as they will send you the time when the check-in option will be accessible.
If you are already within the 24-hour window, then you don’t have this issue, so you can check the reasons below.
2. The Flight Is Overbooked
This is the most common reason why you can’t check in online for your flight.
Most airlines know that some passengers won’t show up or will cancel their flights because they have experienced it several times.
Yes, the skiplagging technique to score cheap flights.
So airlines take it another level and let more people buy tickets, which results in overbooked flights.
Empty seats are not profitable for airline companies.
So some airlines do that because they know that some passengers won’t show up, and that would cause them to lose some cash.
Sneaky airlines.
They may assign the same seat to more than one person, and the first passenger that checks in online early gets the seat to guarantee that the airplane is fully occupied.
So in case the check-in won’t work for you, there is a huge possibility that your flight is overbooked. Ensure that you contact your airline customer service.
3. The Airline Website or App Is Down (Not Functioning Correctly)
If the airline website or app has a technical issue with their system, you will have a hard time checking in.
You can use downdetector.com to know if the website is experiencing problems, just enter do name of the website and it will return the result immediately.
But most of the time, glitches like this do not last for long.
The airline will do their best to fix the issue as quickly as possible because they are losing money and customers.
Just try again a few moments later.
If the issue persists and the flight time approaches, that will not affect the flight. You can still check in and finish the steps at the airport check-in counter.
If the airline website is running normally but you still cannot check in.
You can try clearing your browser cache and cookies, using a different browser, or checking in through the airline mobile app instead.
4. Some International Flights And Destinations Do Not Have The Online Check-In Option
Photo by Benjamin Suter on Pexels.com
Some airlines do not have the option to check in online for international flights or certain destinations, so you will need to check in either at the check-in counter with an agent, or using the self-service kiosk at the airport.
Usually, if you are traveling to a country that requires some type of visa or additional documents, you won’t be able to check in online as the airline will need to verify your visa and other documents.
That is why airlines recommend arriving at the airport early, 3 to 4 hours before the scheduled flight, to have enough time to go through the procedures, check in, declare your luggage, and go through the security checkpoint.
Also, if you have baggage to drop, it may be irrelevant to check in online, as you will still need to go to the airline check-in counter.
5. The Airline Needs More Info For Security Reasons
Some airlines do have options where you can upload any required documents, even though this is not possible with every airline.
The reason some airlines may require you to check documents before you check in is for security reasons, to ensure the information is clear or that the passenger has some similar personal information to a suspected person.
If the online check-in didn’t work, do not stress out.
Just ensure that you head to the airport and you will check in normally and get your boarding pass.
6. Traveling With A Group
Most airlines do not support the online check-in option when traveling with a large group.
If many people travel under the same booking reservation, they will need to show up to the check-in counter and declare their bags.
I don’t think this is an issue since each person needs to check in and declare their belongings at the check-in counter.
7. You Didn’t Book On The Airline Website
If you booked your flight via a travel agent, you will need to ask them for your booking number.
If you don’t have the booking number, you won’t be able to check in online on the airline website.
So it is better that you ask your booking agent for any details and information when they make your reservation.
8. You Enter The Wrong Info
This may be a simple process, but it has happened to me several times.
I entered the wrong ticket number many times, but when I contacted their customer support, they figured out that I wasn’t giving them the right reservation number.
9. Online Check-In Time Ends
Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before the scheduled flight, and it mostly ends 60 minutes before departure.
So if you try to check in at the last minute, it won’t work.
If you have a small amount of time before the flight departure, ensure that you head to the check-in counter and explain the situation to the agent there.
That way they will find a solution, send you to the gate if there is still time, or find another flight for you.
Usually, late check-in will cause your seat to be assigned to another passenger. If the airline notices that you didn’t check in early, they may assume that you won’t show up, so ensure that you always check in early.
Error message
Reason
Solution
Check-in not available
Outside the check-in window
Try within the allowed time (usually 24h before)
Document verification required
Visa, passport, or other travel documents needed
Go to airport counter with documents ready
Reservation not found
Wrong booking number or booked via travel agent
Verify details with your agent or airline
System error
Airline website/app is down or glitching
Retry later, clear cache, or use mobile app
“Seat unavailable”
Flight may be overbooked or your seat is double-assigned
Contact airline customer service for seat assignment
Payment required
Unpaid fees (baggage, seat, ticket)
Pay fees online or at airport counter
Codeshare flight check-in
Online check-in must be done on operating airline
Go to operating airline’s website or app
Security screening required
Flagged for extra screening
Check in at airport counter with ID
Group booking cannot check in online
Large group bookings are restricted
All passengers check in at airport counter
Browser not supported
Airline website not compatible with your browser
Use a different browser or mobile app
Expired passport
Passport or visa invalid for international flight
Update travel documents before check-in
Technical glitch
Airline system timed out during check-in
Refresh page, clear website cash , or use mobile app
And most airlines nowadays have this option, so you can choose your seat, pay for luggage, print your boarding pass, and avoid long lines at the airport check-in counter.
Even though there will be some occasions when you can’t check in online, the first thing to make sure of is that you are trying to checkin in within the 24 hours window.
I hope that you solve the problem and now you can check in online for your flight successfully.
Happy travels.
FAQ: Why Can’t I Check In Online For My Flight?
Why is my online check-in not working?
Whether you are trying to check in for American, United or Delta Airlines, sometimes online check-in may not work due to technical issues with the airline website or app, the incorrect information, or because you are outside the check-in time window. Sometimes airlines also require document verification at the airport before issuing a boarding pass.
What happens if I don’t check in online for a flight?
If you can’t check in online, you can still check in at the airport in person at the check-in counter or self-service kiosk. However, you should arrive earlier at the airport to avoid long lines.
What should I do if online check-in is unavailable in the website?
If online check-in is unavailable, try using the airline’s mobile app, clear your browser cache, or try again later. If it still doesn’t work, go to the airport check-in counter where airline staff can verify your documents and issue your boarding pass.
Why does the airline need to check my passport at the airport?
For some international flights Airlines sometimes want passengers to check in at the airport so they can verify their passports, visas, or other travel documents.
Can unpaid fees stop online check-in?
Yes. If there are unpaid fees on your reservation, such as baggage fees, seat selection, or ticket payment issues, the airline may block online check-in until you pay the fees.
Why can’t I check in online for a codeshare flight?
For codeshare flights, you may need to check in on the website of the airline that operates the flight, not the airline you booked with. If you try to check in on the wrong airline website, the system may not recognize your reservation.
Can security screening stop online check-in?
Yes. Some passengers may be flagged for additional security screening. When this happens, airlines may require you to check in at the airport so agents can verify your identity and issue your boarding pass in person.
Gargie, is writer, traveler & a digital marketing specialist
passionate about traveling and exploring new cultures. She is a savvy traveler who likes to pack light, testing various luggage brands and seeking out budget-friendly airline options. Gargie enjoys creating unique recipes when she’s not on the go.
