Thanks to American Airlines’ online check-in service, passengers can automatically check in for their flight without having to wait for check-in to open at the airport. They can request this service at any time after booking, regardless of their departure date. They will then receive their boarding pass before the airline check-in opens.
In addition to saving time at the airport, AA’s online check-in centralizes all booking steps on a single, fast platform compatible with all devices: smartphones, tablets, and computers.
American Airlines check-in policy
Check-in time on American Airlines flights: It is generally set between 24 and 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and up to 1 hour and 30 minutes before departure for international flights.
Please note that the check-in deadline may differ if you are flying with American Airlines from the following airports:
60 minutes before departure:
– Puerto Rico: San Juan Airport (SHU)
75 minutes before departure:
– Germany: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC)
– Netherlands Antilles: Aruba Reine Beatrix Airport (AUA)
– Argentina: Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport (EZE)
– Greece: Athens (ATH)
– Denmark: Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
– Spain: Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
– France: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
– India: Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL)
– Ireland: Dublin International Airport (DUB)
– Italy: Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP) Netherlands: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
– Switzerland: Zurich Airport (ZRH)
90 minutes before departure:
– United States: Georgetown Cheddi Jagan Airport (GEO), Tampa Airport (TPA)
– Virgin Islands: Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport (STX), Cyril E. King International Airport (STT)
– Saint Kitts (Caribbean): Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB)
AA Baggage check-in:
Passengers wishing to travel with checked baggage must check it in at the airport before the end of the check-in period, which is set at 45 minutes before domestic flights and one hour before international flights.
In fact, adding checked baggage during online check-in saves you at least $5 compared to checking in at the counter.
How to check in for an American Airlines flight online?
On a dedicated webpage:
– You simply need to enter your name, date of birth, and booking number.
– Next, you must select the number of passengers traveling under your booking. Then, fill in the required information and confirm your seat selection.
Regarding seat selection:
During check-in, you can access the cabin layout for your flight and locate available seats, depending on your chosen fare:
– Main Cabin and Main Cabin Extra (a seat with extra legroom): These seats are available to passengers who have booked an AA flight with the basic Economy fare.
– Premium Economy seats: These are located just behind the Flagship First cabin. They are leather seats, recline, and are wider than the standard Economy seats. They are equipped with footrests and extendable headrests.
Confirm your check-in
– Upon completing your check-in, you should receive a check-in confirmation by email (to the address provided previously).
Obtaining your AA boarding pass
You have two options: print your boarding pass or save it to your phone; you can also pick it up upon arrival at the airport from a self-service kiosk.
American Airlines online check-in not working?
Computer glitches can occur suddenly, causing the reservation and check-in systems to malfunction.
American Airlines usually implements contingency procedures to quickly resolve the issue. However, if you are unable to check in for your flight from home, you will need to do so at the AA check-in counters at the airport.
American Airlines online check-in may not be available to:
– Unaccompanied minors
– Passengers with reduced mobility who require assistance at the airport
– Passengers traveling with pets
– Passengers traveling in groups.
American Airlines provides mobile check-in
American Airlines offers a convenient service that allows passengers to check in directly on their mobile devices before boarding their flight.
With the growth of mobile bookings, the American airline has deployed a service that allows passengers to receive their boarding pass on their smartphones as soon as they begin the check-in process.
The service is completely free and integrated into its mobile app, available for download on the Apple Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).
American Airlines Curbside Check-in
Curbside check-in is available at most U.S. airports. In most cases, curbside check-in on American Airlines flights is free, tipping aside.
Tips typically range from $2 to $3 per porter.
There may be a short wait to check in for your AA flight and drop off your luggage at the baggage drop, but it’s usually much shorter than inside the airport.
The roadside check-in counter is accessible from four hours up to three-quarters of an hour (45 min) before the departure of domestic flights and up to one and a half hours (90 min) before the departure of AA international flights.
Automatic check-in for American Airlines flights via a self-service kiosk
To facilitate the airport experience, especially for passengers who are not eligible for online check-in, such as passengers with reduced mobility traveling in wheelchairs or unaccompanied minors, American Airlines invites them to check in using the self-service kiosks available at major U.S. airports, including:
New York (JFK & LGA), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Philadelphia (PHL), Charlotte (CLT), Boston (BOS), Phoenix (PHX), and Washington, D.C. (DCA).
– American Airlines Self-Service bag drop
American Airlines passengers can also check in and drop off their luggage independently in just a few minutes.
Several self-service baggage drop-off stations are available to verify the baggage weight, obtain a tag, and then send it onto a conveyor belt. Special baggage, including sports equipment such as skis or bicycles, can also be handled. It is also possible to pay for excess baggage or additional baggage.
American Airlines check-in counters: opening hours
The check-in deadline is 45 minutes for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international flights. After this time, passengers will no longer be able to check in or drop off their baggage.
Add TSA PreCheck to your American Airlines flight reservation
This service is designed to help passengers traveling internationally with American Airlines expedite their passage through airport security.
TSA PreCheck can be added to an American Airlines flight reservation before check-in. Here’s how:
– Open the AA mobile app or go directly to www.aa.com and click on “Manage Trips.” Sign in to your account to access your reservation.
– Once signed in, go to the “Security Information” tab and add your KTN or PASS ID.
– If you are not yet a TSA PreCheck participant, you can apply online on Tsa.gov to obtain your KTN.
– The service costs approximately USD 78 and is valid for five years.
– Note that it is also possible to add TSA PreCheck using an AAdvantage account.
– Citi AAvantage Executive Mastercard members receive a $120 credit, valid for 4 years.