Air India Check-In: All Methods Compared
| Method | Opens | Closes (Domestic) | Closes (Intl) | Boarding Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website (airindia.com) | T-48h | T-75 min | T-90 min | PDF or mobile QR |
| Air India App (iOS/Android) | T-48h | T-75 min | T-90 min | Mobile QR pass |
| Airport Kiosk | T-3h | T-60 min | T-75 min | Printed at kiosk |
| Airport Check-In Counter | T-3h | T-60 min | T-75 min | Printed at counter |
| Business Class Lounge (T-3h) | T-3h | T-45 min | T-60 min | Lounge agent prints |
Step-by-Step: Air India Web Check-In on airindia.com
- Open airindia.com in any browser (works on mobile browser too).
- Click Check-In in the top navigation bar.
- Enter your PNR (6-character booking reference) and the lead passenger's last name. Alternatively, enter your Air India Flying Returns number if logged in.
- Click Check-In — your itinerary loads with the seat map.
- Select your seat: Standard economy (rear/middle) is free. Exit rows, window seats in front rows, and business class upgrades have fees.
- For international flights, enter or confirm your passport details and destination country information (Advance Passenger Information).
- Review your boarding pass details — passenger name, flight, seat, gate.
- Click Check In → download PDF or choose Send to mobile.
Air India App Check-In
Download the Air India app (free, iOS App Store and Google Play). The app check-in flow mirrors the website but with a cleaner interface:
- Open app → tap My Trips.
- Import your booking via PNR + last name if not already linked.
- Tap Check In — available from T-48h.
- Select seat → confirm → tap Download Boarding Pass.
- The app stores your boarding pass in-app and also sends a push notification with a deep link.
💡 Wallet tip: After downloading, add your Air India boarding pass to Apple Wallet or Google Pay — it updates automatically if the gate changes and you'll get notifications.
Air India Seat Selection During Web Check-In
| Seat Category | Location (B787 / A350) | Economy Fee | Business Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (rear cabin) | Rows 30–45 | Free | N/A |
| Standard window/aisle (mid-cabin) | Rows 20–29 | Free (T-48h window) | N/A |
| Extra legroom (economy bulk) | Row 19 / exit rows | ₹500–₹1,000 | N/A |
| Front economy (rows 10–18) | Behind business | ₹800–₹2,000 | N/A |
| Business (forward cabin) | Rows 1–9 (lie-flat) | Upgrade from ₹8,000 | Free if booked |
International Check-In: What's Different
For international flights, Air India web check-in requires additional information:
- Passport number, nationality, and expiry date for each passenger.
- Visa details for destination countries requiring a visa (though visa verification itself happens at the counter for some routes — the system may flag you).
- API (Advance Passenger Information) for US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Schengen Zone flights — mandatory by destination country law.
- Emergency contact information on some international routes.
Even after completing online check-in, you must queue at the counter for document verification (passport + visa stamp check) on most international routes. The online boarding pass gives you a reserved seat but does not bypass the document queue.
Air India Check-In Deadlines by Route Type
| Route Category | Counter Closes | Gate Closes | Airport Arrival Rec. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (all airports) | T-60 min | T-25 min | T-90 min (with web check-in) |
| International (from India, non-US) | T-75 min | T-45 min | T-2.5h |
| US/UK bound (immigration at origin) | T-90 min | T-60 min | T-3h |
Air India Club (Flying Returns) Priority Check-In
Air India's Flying Returns Gold and Platinum members get access to priority check-in queues at all Air India operated airports. During web check-in, their status is automatically recognized and premium seat options are presented at no additional fee (subject to availability).