Air India – logo

India · AI / AIC · Star Alliance

Air India Online Check-in Guide

India's flag carrier, Star Alliance member, recently privatized and modernizing under Tata Group. Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure on airindia.com.

Opens on airindia.com in a new tab.

Is Air India 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.

Open Air India check-in →

When does Air India check-in open and close?

Online check-in opens
48h before departure
Online check-in closes
75 min before
Boarding closes
25 min before
Mobile boarding pass
Yes
Self bag-drop
At selected airports

How to check in online with Air India

  1. 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).

  2. Open the official check-in page

    Use the button at the top of this page or visit airindia.com directly. Avoid third-party "check-in" sites.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Save the boarding pass

    Add to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The Air India app stores it offline once downloaded.

Mobile vs desktop check-in

FeatureMobile (app)Desktop (web)
Boarding pass in WalletYes (recommended)Email link only
Passport scanYes (camera)Manual entry
Push gate updatesYesNo
Print boarding passVia email linkYes
Best forDay-of-travel useTroubleshooting, family bookings

Air India baggage at a glance

TypeDimensionsWeightIncluded?
Personal item 40×30×15 cm 8 kg Yes
Carry-on 55×40×20 cm 8 kg Yes
Checked 23 kg Yes

Common Air India check-in problems

Online check-in restricted for some international

Problem: Online check-in is sometimes blocked for flights to/from US/UK due to enhanced verification.

Solution: Allow extra time for airport check-in (3.5 hours for US/UK departures). Use the Air India app for fastest mobile check-in.

Visa data must match passport exactly

Problem: Even minor mismatches between passport and visa names block check-in.

Solution: Verify passport name matches booking before flight. If wrong, contact Air India 24+ hours before to correct.

Air India check-in FAQ

When does Air India check-in open?

48 hours before scheduled departure for most flights. Closes 75 minutes before for international, 45 minutes before for domestic India.

Does Air India include checked baggage in Economy?

Yes — typically 25 kg on international routes (2 × 23 kg pieces to North America). Domestic India routes include 15–20 kg depending on fare class.

Related