United Arab Emirates · G9 / ABY
Air Arabia Online Check-in Guide
Middle East's first low-cost carrier, headquartered in Sharjah. Operates from secondary airports across the region. Online check-in opens 24 hours before on airarabia.com or in the Air Arabia app.
Opens on airarabia.com in a new tab.
Is Air Arabia check-in open right now?
Pick your departure time — we'll show you whether the check-in window is open, when it opens, or whether it's already closed. Your input never leaves the page.
When does Air Arabia check-in open and close?
How to check in online with Air Arabia
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Have your booking reference and ID ready
You'll need a 6-character booking reference (PNR) and a valid travel document (passport or EU/EEA national ID).
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Open the official check-in page
Use the button at the top of this page or visit airarabia.com directly. Avoid third-party "check-in" sites.
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Enter passenger details
Add passport / ID number, expiry date, and country of issue if travelling internationally. This step is mandatory and blocks check-in if skipped.
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Choose seats and add extras
Random seats are free in the 24-hour window; named seats and priority boarding cost extra. Skip if you don't need them.
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Save the boarding pass
Add to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The Air Arabia app stores it offline once downloaded.
Mobile vs desktop check-in
| Feature | Mobile (app) | Desktop (web) |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding pass in Wallet | Yes (recommended) | Email link only |
| Passport scan | Yes (camera) | Manual entry |
| Push gate updates | Yes | No |
| Print boarding pass | Via email link | Yes |
| Best for | Day-of-travel use | Troubleshooting, family bookings |
Air Arabia baggage at a glance
| Type | Dimensions | Weight | Included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 40×30×20 cm | 0 kg | Yes |
| Carry-on | 55×40×20 cm | 10 kg | Yes |
| Checked | — | 20 kg | From €18 |
Common Air Arabia check-in problems
Sharjah hub — not Dubai DXB
Problem: Many travelers book Air Arabia thinking they fly from Dubai (DXB). The main hub is Sharjah (SHJ), 30 km away.
Solution: Sharjah taxi from Dubai centre: AED 80–100. Public bus #E306 from Dubai's Al Ghubaiba to SHJ: AED 12, 60 min.
No assigned seats on cheapest fare
Problem: Air Arabia's basic fare assigns seats randomly. Specific seat = AED 15–50.
Solution: Pre-pay seat selection during booking if you want to sit together. Personal item under seat (40×30×20 cm) is free.
Air Arabia check-in FAQ
When does Air Arabia check-in open?
24 hours before scheduled departure. Closes 75 minutes before for international flights, 60 minutes for domestic GCC.
Where is Air Arabia's main hub?
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is the primary base — 30 km north of Dubai. Secondary hubs in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and Abu Dhabi (AUH, recently launched).
How is Air Arabia different from flydubai?
Both are Middle East LCCs but: Air Arabia is private (Sharjah government), flydubai is Emirates Group; Air Arabia uses SHJ + RAK secondary, flydubai uses DXB primary.
