How to Check In Online for Air India Express
Via airindiaexpress.in (Manage Booking) or the Air India Express mobile app
✓ Last verified: April 2026
- 1 Visit airindiaexpress.in and click "Manage Booking".
- 2 Enter your PNR/booking reference and last name.
- 3 Select passengers for check-in.
- 4 Select your seat — some seats are free, preferred seats (extra legroom, exit row) are chargeable.
- 5 Confirm check-in and download or save your boarding pass.
Check-In Details at a Glance
There is no airport check-in fee on Air India Express: the myth, debunked
Air India Express web check-in is completely free on both domestic and international flights, and so is checking in at the airport counter. There is a stubborn myth in India that airlines bill you for counter check-in. No Indian airline charges a fee for web check-in or for airport check-in. If a website or forwarded message claims otherwise, it is wrong.
The one part that can carry a cost is advance seat selection, and only sometimes. On most fares, standard seats are free. On some lower or basic fares, advance seat selection is a paid add-on whose price varies by fare and route, so check the fare rules or your Manage Booking page rather than trusting any quoted figure.
Flying the Gulf or Southeast Asia? Get your documents in order first
International Air India Express web check-in asks for more than a domestic flight. During the online flow you enter passport and visa details, the Advance Passenger Information airlines must collect for international travel. Keep your passport in hand and enter the number, expiry, nationality and any required visa details exactly as printed. A typo in a passport number or expiry date can hold up your boarding pass or create a problem at immigration.
Build in extra airport time too, since international check-in closes earlier than domestic and you will need the buffer for immigration and security anyway. If you fly the same sector often, saved passport details may pre-fill, but always verify them against your physical passport before you confirm, especially if it was renewed since your last trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Air India Express web check-in open and close?
Air India Express web check-in opens 14 days before departure. It closes 60 minutes before domestic flights and 75 minutes before international flights. After the window closes, you must check in at the airport counter.
What do I need to check in online for Air India Express?
You need your 6-character PNR/booking reference (found in your booking confirmation email) and the passenger's last name exactly as entered during booking. Some airlines also accept email address or frequent flyer number as an alternative identifier.
Can I choose my seat during Air India Express web check-in?
Select standard seats are free; preferred seats including extra legroom and exit rows are chargeable.
What boarding pass options does Air India Express offer?
Mobile boarding pass (PDF) or print at home. Airport counter check-in also available.
What happens if I miss Air India Express web check-in?
If you miss the web check-in window, you can still check in at the airport counter or self-service kiosk. However, available seat choices may be limited. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic departure and 3 hours before international departure to allow enough time for check-in and security.
Where do I find my Air India Express PNR for check-in?
Your Air India Express PNR (Passenger Name Record) is the 6-character booking reference in your booking confirmation email or e-ticket. If you booked through HappyFares, your PNR is visible in the HappyFares app under "My Bookings". The PNR is also printed on your itinerary receipt.
Does Air India Express charge a fee for airport counter check-in?
No. Air India Express counter check-in at the airport is completely free, exactly like web check-in. No Indian airline charges a fee for web or counter check-in. The counter check-in fee you may have read about is a myth. The only optional cost is advance seat selection on some lower fares.
What passport and visa details does Air India Express ask for on international routes?
During international web check-in you enter Advance Passenger Information: passport number, expiry, nationality and any required visa details. Type them exactly as printed. A typo in a passport number or expiry can hold up your boarding pass or cause a problem at immigration, so double-check every field.
My passport details pre-filled from a saved profile. Should I trust them?
Verify them against your physical passport before confirming, especially if you fly the same Gulf sector often. Saved profiles can pre-fill old details. If your passport was renewed since your last trip, the saved number and expiry will be wrong, so always check against the actual document.
Is advance seat selection about the fare, not the check-in?
Yes. Whether a seat is free or paid is a fare-type question, not a check-in question. The same flight on a higher fare may include free seat selection, while the cheapest fare charges for it. If picking your seat matters, such as travelling with kids, factor that into which fare you book.
Can I skip paying for a seat on a basic Air India Express fare?
Yes. If you would rather not pay for advance seat selection on a basic fare, simply skip it. The airline assigns you a seat for free, either later in the web check-in flow or at the airport. You still fly and still get a boarding pass; you just do not hand-pick the seat in advance.
Air India Express web check-in will not open. What is the most common cause?
Usually the surname. Enter the last name exactly as on the booking. A mismatch is the number-one reason a valid PNR gets rejected. Also confirm you are using the six-character airline PNR, not a payment ID or travel-portal order number, and that you are inside the check-in window.
Web check-in keeps failing even though I am inside the window. What now?
Try the app instead of the website, or switch browsers and clear the cache, as a stale page often clears a glitch. Check your flight status too, since a schedule change or cancellation can block check-in. If still stuck, contact official Air India Express support or check in free at the airport.
Does Air India Express web check-in put my checked bag on the plane?
No. Web check-in handles only the passenger and seat, not your suitcase. If you have bags to check, you still visit the airline's bag-drop counter at the airport, though that is a different and usually shorter queue than full check-in. Cabin-only travellers can often head straight to security.
Is Air India Express still the same brand after the AirAsia India merger?
Yes. Air India Express is Air India's low-cost arm, and after the AirAsia India merger folded into the same brand, it now carries a large share of India's budget flyers. You check in for any IX flight on the Air India Express site or app with your PNR and last name.