Air India International Check-in Timing
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Web check-in opens | T-48 hours |
| Web check-in closes | T-90 minutes |
| Counter check-in opens | T-3 hours |
| Counter check-in closes | T-75 minutes (most destinations) |
| Boarding closes | T-30 minutes |
What is API (Advance Passenger Information)?
API (Advance Passenger Information) is biographic + travel-document data that destination countries require airlines to transmit BEFORE the flight departs. This lets immigration authorities pre-screen passengers and identify any concerns before arrival.
Countries requiring API for inbound flights from India:
- United States: Mandatory ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for visa-waiver, ESTA for visa-required (Indians need visa, ESTA still required for document verification)
- United Kingdom: Mandatory eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) and API
- Schengen (Europe): Visa-required for Indians; visa info + API mandatory
- Australia: Mandatory ETA / eVisitor / Visa + API
- Canada: Visa-required for Indians + API
- New Zealand: NZeTA + API
API Data Required for Air India International Check-in
Before completing web check-in for destinations requiring API, you'll need:
- Passport number (exactly as printed)
- Passport country of issuance
- Passport expiry date
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Gender (matches passport)
- For US: ESTA approval number (if applicable)
- For UK: eTA reference
- For Australia: Visa/ETA grant number
How to Complete Air India International Web Check-in
- Visit airindia.com 48 hours before departure → Web Check-in
- Enter PNR + last name → Continue
- If destination requires API: complete the document data form (10-15 fields)
- Verify all passengers' API info (each pax separately for family bookings)
- Select seat (free standard seats from T-48h; paid premium seats throughout the window)
- Confirm → download boarding pass PDF or save to mobile wallet
Common API Failures to Avoid
- Name mismatch: Booking name must EXACTLY match passport. "Shanti Jain" booked but passport says "Shanti Kumar Jain" → check-in fails. Contact Air India 24h before to correct
- Expired passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond travel date for most destinations
- Wrong visa info: Use the visa number from your passport page or eVisa PDF, not the application reference
- DOB format: Use the exact format the form expects (usually DD/MM/YYYY for Indian residents)
What If You Can't Complete Web Check-in?
For some international destinations (USA most commonly), even after successful web check-in you'll still need to:
- Queue at airport counter for document verification — usually 30-45 min before boarding
- Show physical passport + visa for staff to verify against API data
- Print physical boarding pass (digital boarding passes not always accepted for US-bound flights at all gates)
This means a web-check-in boarding pass for an international flight is 50% of the work, not 100%. Arrive 3-3.5 hours before departure for international flights.
Air India International Seat Selection
| Seat Type | Fee (Economy) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Economy (mid-cabin) | Free at T-48h | Auto-allocated if not selected |
| Preferred Economy (front rows) | ₹600-1,800 | Faster deplaning |
| Exit Row (extra legroom) | ₹1,500-3,500 | Must meet exit-row criteria |
| Premium Economy | Class upgrade price | If available on aircraft |
Mobile Boarding Pass vs Printed
For most international destinations from India, both formats are accepted at CISF + airline gates. Exceptions:
- USA-bound flights: Print recommended — some TSA + immigration officials prefer paper for entry stamp
- Some smaller airports: Saudi Arabia regional, certain African destinations — print as backup
Always have the mobile boarding pass + a printed copy for international travel. Battery dying mid-airport is a common failure mode.