Rules for check-in and boarding. How long does boarding for an airplane flight begin and end? What is “customs control”

To go through passport control and check in for the plane, you will need an ID card, as well as an air ticket or a prepared itinerary receipt. Sometimes security staff will ask you to present it at the entrance, so it is better to always print this document.

Check-in at Domodedovo begins no later than three hours before departure, but often even earlier, especially on international flights. This procedure ends 40 minutes before departure. It is best to arrive at the airport a little early.

It is recommended to arrive for domestic flights at least two hours before departure, and for international flights approximately five hours before departure. Some destinations may require lengthy checks, which are usually additionally announced when purchasing a ticket.

Registration in Domodedovo

When entering the airport, you need to pass your belongings through the baggage scanner and go through the frame. You will then be taken to a large hall where, right next to the entrance, you can see a board indicating the check-in counters. Find your flight there.

From a check-in point of view, Domodedovo is the most convenient airport in Moscow, since it is not divided into several terminals, which usually cause confusion for inexperienced passengers. All reception desks are located in one place. They are numbered, so finding your flight will be very easy.

Present your documents at the counter and check in your luggage. You will be given a baggage receipt (a small sticker with a number and barcode) and a boarding pass. The gate number on the ticket is the boarding gate number. After registration you need to go to passport control. The airline employee at the check-in counter will tell you where it is.

Passport control

There is usually a queue at the control. Do not cross the yellow line while waiting - you will see a warning about this on the spot. Next, you need to hand your passport to the border guard, he will check your document, and then put an exit stamp on it. That's it, you have officially left Russia. Now you need to go through inspection and customs control.

If you are exporting something valuable that needs to be declared, you will be given paperwork that needs to be filled out. Those who don't have anything special should simply place all metal items and carry-on luggage in the tray, place it on the belt and go through the scanner. Domodedovo has scanning devices for which you don’t need to take off your shoes: a nice little thing.

Landing

After passing through control you enter the duty free zone. Here you can do some shopping, have a snack or relax if you have time. No later than 30 minutes before departure time, you need to go to your gate so as not to be late for boarding. Signs with exit numbers are everywhere, making it very difficult to get lost. If in doubt, you can ask any airport employee.

When boarding begins, the final check awaits you - scanning your boarding pass. One part of it will remain with the airport employee, the other will be given to you. All that remains is to get on the bus that will take you to the plane. Often, a special ramp is provided to the plane, along which you can get inside directly from the airport building.

Air travelers setting off on the road for the first time in their lives are wondering how to fly an airplane, what the rules and nuances are. Although this is not difficult at all, in order to feel more confident, it is better to stock up on the necessary knowledge and advice on the eve of the flight.

Step-by-step instructions, right up to the end of the journey, have several strictly sequential stages:

• check-in;
• baggage check-in;
• security screening;
• passport control;
• waiting for boarding;
• boarding the aircraft;
• flight;
• passport control at the destination airport;
• baggage claim and exit.

Important! The stages are completed in full only when performing international flights. On domestic flights the procedure has been simplified. In particular, there is no border control of passports.

check-in

To describe how to board a plane step by step, you need to start with registration. So, if a passenger can say to himself: “This is my first time flying on an airplane,” then he already knows that he must arrive at the airport. Moreover, in large cities there may be several airports and terminals. The name of the airport and terminal number are indicated on the ticket, which must be carefully studied.

Having reached the airport, you need to find an electronic board in its hall, which contains information about flights departing in the near future. Usually the scoreboard is placed near the entrance in a visible place. The English version of the name is “Departures”. To get your bearings, you need to look for your flight number in the list, then down the line its current status.

Important! You cannot navigate by the destination airport and departure time. Different flights may depart to the same city, and times sometimes change.

State	Meaning	Passenger actions
Check-in, Check-in open, Open	Registration in progress.	You can go to the registration desks, the numbers of which are indicated right there. Usually there are several of them.
Delayed	The flight is delayed. The expected departure times are also indicated here. But these are not opening hours for registration; it will start earlier.	If the delayed flight time is not listed, you must go to the airline counter to find out more information.
Canceled	Flight cancellation.	Contact the airline representative, they may offer to fly on a different flight.
Empty column	Registration is not yet open due to early passenger arrival.	Wait at the airport until check-in opens.
Boarding	The flight has begun boarding.	Registration is completed. The passenger can contact airline representatives. Some airports have counters for late arrivals. But there is no guarantee that you will still be able to get on the plane.

There are three options for registration:

• at the registration desk;
• in the terminal for self-registration;
• via the Internet from home.

Airport check-in

At the indicated check-in counters, the passenger presents his ticket with his passport. Sometimes, when flying internationally, they check whether you have a visa from the destination country; you may be asked to present a return ticket and even the bank card used to pay for the travel document. The procedure for checking in and boarding a plane with an electronic ticket is no different. The only difference is that at the registration desk you only need to show your passport without presenting a ticket.

After this, the passenger will be given a boarding pass, which contains important information:

• boarding gate number (Gate);
• a seat in the aircraft cabin;
• boarding start hours.

Important! The start time of registration procedures at the airport is 3 hours before departure, the end time is 40 minutes before the departure of the plane.

Transit passengers are issued a boarding document for their connecting flight.

The second way to check in at the airport is at the self-check-in machine. It is necessary to find the terminal of the airline with which the air traveler is flying. It looks like terminals for paying mobile phone bills and other services, only the device will have the airline logo. There you enter your last name, ticket code step by step, you may need to scan your passport, then you are asked to select a seat. A boarding pass will be automatically printed with the same information as issued at the check-in counters.

Through the Internet

Online registration is available even by mobile phone. It opens at different times for different air carriers. At least one day before the plane departs, and for some companies - 1 month. On the airline’s website, you need to find the “Check-in” button or tab and step by step enter the ticket code, personal data, and select the seat you like. The process ends with a printed boarding pass.

You can also print your boarding pass from the airport's electronic terminals or ask for it at the check-in counter.

Important! Any method of electronic check-in is not suitable for travelers flying with animals accompanying disabled people. According to the rules of individual air carriers, it is impossible to check in at the terminals with children under two years of age.

Baggage check-in and hand luggage

Baggage is left at the check-in counters regardless of the check-in method. For passengers who have already checked in online, there are special baggage drop-off counters - “Drop off”, where suitcases are accepted according to an expedited procedure. With the usual check-in method, luggage is accepted at the counters at the same time. The suitcases will be weighed and provided with a special tag. A baggage receipt is also issued to the passenger. It is often stuck on the boarding pass. You can use it to identify your suitcase. The luggage will then be sent to be loaded onto the aircraft via a conveyor belt.

Baggage allowance must be clarified when purchasing a ticket. Hand luggage is also weighed, tagged and returned to the passenger. As a rule, its weight should not exceed 5-8 kg.

What you need to do to avoid problems when checking in your luggage:

1. Weigh the suitcase and if its weight exceeds the norm, transfer individual items to hand luggage without violating the baggage rules.
2. Study in advance the rules for transporting fragile and oversized cargo, which must be securely packaged. In this case, you may need to independently take oversized luggage to another counter - “Oversized baggage desk”.

Security screening

At Russian airports, passport control is usually carried out first, followed by security screening. At many foreign airports it’s the other way around: security is inspected first.

Pre-flight screening is a thorough check by airport employees of the passenger’s personal belongings - what is on them and in their hand luggage. Outer clothing, often shoes, belts, watches must be removed and placed on a conveyor belt, which will transport them through the scanning machine. The passenger himself is directed to pass through the metal detector frame.

1. Take plastic containers, put bags, clothes and other things there, and place them on a conveyor belt.
2. Check to see if you have any liquids in containers exceeding 100 milliliters in volume, piercing or cutting objects, etc. All this is packed into baggage checked in at the check-in counters. Baby food and vital medications are carried in as exceptions.
3. A passenger with a pacemaker alerts the security officer. He will be searched in person by an employee of the same gender without going through a metal detector.

Important! During security screening, the passenger must be as serious as possible. Remember that jokes about bombs, weapons, etc. may be perceived as a reason to remove him from the flight.

International flights

The main difference between pre-flight inspection on international flights is customs control. If the passenger does not carry items that are subject to customs declaration, he goes through the “green corridor”.

If there is cash currency (or rubles) in an amount equivalent to 10 thousand US dollars, value, etc., according to the transportation rules, a declaration is filled out in the “red corridor” of customs.

Important! You must fill out the declaration before checking in for your flight.

Passport control

Border control of passports is carried out during international flights. It is usually designated "Passport control". Here you need to show the border guard a passport with a boarding pass. He will check the document against the database to see if the air traveler has any obstacles to leaving the country. Then he will put a stamp there indicating the place and date of crossing the border.

Departure area

In the departure waiting area there are cafes, restaurants, and Duty Free shops, but first you need to:

1. Find your gate. His number is changed sometimes. This is announced over the loudspeaker and duplicated on information stands.
2. Remember the location of your Gate and then walk around the pre-flight area, remembering to return strictly to the time indicated on the boarding document (Boarding time).

Landing

When boarding the plane begins, the flight number and the name of the destination airport appear on the board at the desired Gate. The passenger must make sure that this is his flight and show his passport with boarding pass at the exit. The larger side of the coupon will be torn off, the other must be saved until you arrive at your final destination and receive your suitcases.

There are two ways to get on the plane:

• they are taken by bus to the liner, where they go up the ladder;
• pass through a telescopic “sleeve” directly into the aircraft.

Important! If delivery to the plane is carried out by bus, it is advantageous not to rush, but to go at the end. The platform bus will be waiting for all passengers. When boarding through the “sleeve”, it is better to go first and calmly find your seat.

On board the aircraft, flight attendants will show where the passenger's seat is located. Personal items are stored on the luggage rack above the seat. If there is no space on the luggage rack above your seat, you can use other shelves.

Now that check-in and boarding are complete, it's time to enjoy your air travel.

Flight

While on board the aircraft, you must follow the general rules and instructions received on the plane:

• fasten seat belts when required;
• do not get up from your seats during takeoff and landing, or when entering turbulence zones;
• no smoking, etc.

Depending on the level of service, breakfast, lunch or dinner, and drinks will be offered. If it is a low-cost airline, then for an additional fee. On board there are newspapers, magazines, sometimes monitors with video entertainment, blankets, and sets for children.

Important! During takeoff and landing, your ears may become blocked. Lollipops or chewing gum will help relieve discomfort.

Passing security upon arrival

After completing the flight, if it was an international flight, there are three types of procedures for obtaining permission to cross the border:

• visa on arrival;
• filling out an immigration card;
• passport control.

Visa on arrival

At the airports of those countries where a similar procedure is provided for Russians, you must go directly from the plane to the “Visa on arrival” counters. Then - the usual passport control.

Filling out the immigration card

For states that require a completed immigration card from each foreigner, a form is most often issued on board the aircraft at the end of the flight. Filled out in English indicating the purpose of the visit to the country, time of stay, hotel or apartment address, arriving flight number, etc. Forms can also be obtained after leaving the plane, at special counters next to passport control.

Passport control

In a number of countries, the passenger goes straight to Passport control. Here you must present a foreign passport with a boarding pass and a visa (obtained in advance or upon arrival), and an immigration card (if required). An airport employee checks documents and marks the border crossing in the passport. Sometimes, in accordance with the rules for entering the country, you will be asked to present return tickets, medical insurance, etc.

Important! Foreigners should queue at the Foreign Passports or All Passports counters.

Receipt of baggage

Following the “Baggage” or “Luggage” signs, the passenger goes to the baggage conveyors. The information board at large airports will indicate the arriving flight number and baggage conveyor number. If there is any doubt about the identity of the suitcase, the numbers of the luggage tag and the one issued to the passenger upon check-in are checked.

Oversized luggage is issued at separate counters.

Important! If a passenger has items that are subject to customs declaration, he passes through the “red corridor” of customs. The rest go through the green one.

Transfer at a transit airport

Flights can be operated with connections using one ticket. A passenger who has received a boarding pass for the next flight at the departure airport follows the signs to the Transfer area.

1. There is no need to receive luggage upon arrival at the intermediate airport; it will be reloaded onto another airliner.
2. If the first plane is late, you need to go to the counter where transfer passengers are processed. There you will be asked to take the next flight.
3. For Schengen countries, passport control is only required if the intermediate and final destinations are in Schengen countries.
4. If a boarding pass is not issued at the departure airport, it is obtained in the transit area of ​​the intermediate airport. You just need to go to the transfer counter with your ticket and passport.
5. You need to wait for your flight in the transit area, which is also the departure area, with cafes, restaurants and shops.

Important! When making transfers at the airports of some countries (for example, the USA), a transit visa is required, and passengers are forced to collect luggage.

When two separate tickets for a connecting flight are purchased, different rules apply:

1. Only one flight can be checked in at the departure point.
2. Upon arrival at the intermediate airport, you must go through passport control and pick up your luggage. Then the registration and boarding procedure is repeated in full with the second ticket. Sometimes you will need to move to a nearby terminal or even to a different airport.
3. If you are late for the next flight, the ticket is lost.

For a passenger flying on an airplane for the first time, it is better, if possible, to choose a flight without transfers or with a connection on one ticket.

Everyone dreams of a beach holiday or a mountain resort. Airlines operate flights to any country in the world - it all depends on your capabilities and desires. However, who travels for the first time, not everyone knows how to board a plane or how to get on board. There are a lot of nuances, and therefore you should know about them before traveling.

At the appointed time you will need to drive to the airport to board the plane. At the check-in counter, present the document used to issue your plane ticket. For flights within Russia, this is a Russian or international passport for adults, and for children, a birth certificate. You also need to take an itinerary receipt if you are flying with transfers. If you are flying to foreign countries, you must have a visa; it is checked during registration.

Registration

Preparing for a flight always begins at the airport terminal. Go to the registration desk, it has the name of the carrier from whom you purchased the ticket and is easy to find by its logo.

You need to come to check-in a few hours before the plane departs. Airlines are different and each set their own time, usually 2 - 3 hours before departure, but it is better to arrive 3 hours before the departure of the aircraft.

You need to look at the flight number indicated on the itinerary receipt, find it on the board, and check whether the departure time has changed. Next, in the board, look for information at which counter you are checking in for your flight.

The itinerary receipt contains the flight number

Most airlines have the ability to check in passengers online. You can complete mobile registration at home on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.

At the check-in desk you present your passport, as well as an itinerary receipt if you are flying with transfers. During check-in, you can choose a seat in the airliner cabin. Passengers who fly for the first time often book a window seat, but an aisle seat is more comfortable if you are flying in economy class.

During check-in, among other things, you must check in your hand luggage or baggage. Their differences are as follows: you can take hand luggage into the cabin. The bag must weigh from 7 to 10 kilograms, it all depends on the carrier’s requirements, and also have a size that does not exceed the restrictions for hand luggage. If you have luggage, then the number of your luggage is also attached to your boarding pass. Thanks to him, you can easily find things.

The boarding pass indicates the gate (gate in English) from where you can board the airliner. Until this point, you will need to undergo inspection.

Pre-travel screening for domestic flights

Boarding a plane for a flight within our country is carried out after inspection. However, for beginners who are flying for the first time, this procedure will seem long. Before entering the security check area, you need to show your boarding pass and passport to the security officer. After verifying the data, you can go to the next check.

Passport control

Boarding rules include passport control. You will see a metal detector frame and a tape with baskets. You will need to place metal items (wallet, chains), a bag with hand luggage, a mobile phone, and outerwear in them. Next, things will come from the conveyor belt to the scanner. The inspection service will use a monitor to carry out an inspection and find out whether you have any prohibited items.

After passing through the frame, you need to stop for a minute and after receiving a signal from the inspection officer, go through. Now you can take things away. Perhaps some questions will arise about things, and you will have to go to the desk for additional inspection. You will need to open the bag and show it to the department that interests the verification service. If there is nothing, move on.

During a personal search you should behave calmly. You cannot joke about drugs, bombs or weapons, as they may simply not be allowed on the flight or detained.

Security screening at the airport

International flights

This type of flight has an additional customs corridor. Remember that the country you are flying to has rules for importing things and you need to be aware of them.

Green corridor. Special passage for tourists who do not have items included in the customs declaration. Usually these are alcohol, cigarettes, perfume and other goods.

Red channel. They exist for passengers whose items must be included in the declaration, and also pay a duty for their import into the country.

You will need to go through customs inspection before check-in if you are flying on international flights.

Waiting hall

After screening, go to the waiting room. At large airports there are Duty-Free shops, cafes, and others for tourists. However, do not forget to keep an eye on the board and check your flight boarding information. There are several electronic displays. Using them, you need to check whether the flight will actually board from the gate that is on the ticket. In addition to the scoreboard, information can be heard via speakerphone. If changes occur and the gate is different, find the exit and go to another gate. If this is difficult, you can consult with employees and get help.

Boarding the plane. Rules of conduct in case of emergency

How is boarding the plane? At the exit from the gate you will be greeted by an employee who will ask for your boarding pass. Then he tears off the control spine and then points to the door through which he must enter. A bus arrives and will take passengers to the airliner. In rare cases, you will need to exit via telescopic bridges; not all airports have them.

Then you go on board. Flight attendants are always present, as some may have difficulty finding a seat. Before takeoff, you will be read the instructions, what to do if the plane makes an emergency landing, how to use oxygen masks, where the exits are in case of an emergency, and when to leave the aircraft.

Thanks to the rules, you can quickly register and start the trip you have planned. A little preparation will help many tourists not be afraid of searches and not get confused in documents. Difficulties, as a rule, arise from ignorance and many people of retirement age get lost in large airports and do not understand what needs to be done.

In contact with

Air tickets have been purchased, suitcases are packed, there are only a few days left before the start of your vacation, but instead of joy, you begin to worry. Excitement is growing every day, because you are flying for the first time and all you are now worried about is how to behave at the airport, how everything will go, will you get lost, will you mix up the plane, etc. You can stop worrying, you have just found the most detailed instructions “ first time at the airport” for beginners, which will answer all your questions.

So, before departure, after purchasing an air ticket, before boarding the plane, you need to go through the following necessary procedures:

1. Customs control, before or after registration
2. Check-in and baggage drop-off
3. Passport control
4. Security screening

Everything is easy and simple, it’s extremely difficult to miss a plane or get lost at the airport, the main thing is to carefully read and follow our most detailed instructions.” first time at the airport“.

And so - the route is chosen, the plane ticket is purchased, things are packed, money is prepared, documents are checked several times (your personal signature must be in the passport). You didn’t forget to put money on your phone and activate roaming. All this needs to be checked before leaving home. Items are divided into luggage and hand luggage. Carry-on luggage is part of the things that will lie next to you in the cabin during the flight. This can be large electronic equipment (laptop, camera, video camera), fragile souvenirs. It is strictly not recommended to check them in as luggage - they may be damaged during loading and loading.

Do not try to carry the above items in your hand luggage

It is prohibited to carry in hand luggage:
- liquids in bottles over 100 milliliters
- highly flammable and explosive substances (acetone, hairspray, etc.)
- piercing and cutting objects (knives, nail scissors, etc.)
- heavy items exceeding the established weight limit for hand luggage

Information about these restrictions should be read on the airline's website, especially if you are flying with a transfer. Some foreign airports have strict security rules (for example, in European Union countries, mascara may be confiscated during security control).

Under no circumstances should you try to carry sharp objects in your hand luggage. At a minimum, they will be confiscated from you; at a maximum, you are guaranteed a conversation with airport security. A box for assembling sharp cutting objects at the airport in Lima, Peru

Please note that if you are flying in business class, you are allowed to carry no more than 30 kilograms for free; in economy class – no more than 20 kilograms. Please keep in mind that the weight of the bag or suitcase is included in the luggage weight. If you are overweight, you will have to pay extra at airline rates. Before check-in, there are special facilities in the departure hall where, for a fee, your belongings will be carefully and securely packed in transparent polyethylene. This guarantees you the inviolability and safety of your belongings checked into the luggage compartment and maximum peace of mind during the flight.

Almost everywhere in the world (hotels, transport, travel agencies) you will be understood in English. If you are flying abroad, it is advisable to carefully read information about the country, customs, and attractions on the Internet. Learn a few phrases in the local language so that you can communicate at the airport or with the police if a problem arises. Or prepare these phrases on a piece of paper; you can also take a dictionary or phrasebook with you.

Whatever you are first time at the airport or you are a regular air passenger, we suggest putting copies of all documents inside your luggage and sewing a badge with your name, surname and contact phone number (for the paranoid, in several copies and in different places) to the suitcase, in case your luggage is lost. For the advanced, it is useful to upload scans of all travel documents to your email, and if necessary, use electronic copies. This little thing will save you from extremely rare unpleasant accidents in the future.

Carry-on luggage on an airplane. Always put passports, important documents, money and plastic cards in your hand luggage

Important! Never put documents, money or plastic cards in your checked baggage.

So you are ready for many new and interesting experiences, let's start registering. Moreover, you can check in at the airport in two ways: online check-in and check-in the old way.

Option 1 – online check-in at the airport:
More and more airlines are offering online check-in via the Internet. It can be completed at any time during the day before departure and at least an hour before scheduled departure, without arriving at the airport. In this case, you can register from any computer with Internet access. All passengers can check in online: those flying with or without luggage, in a group or with children, regardless of whether they are flying economy or business class. To complete online check-in, you need to open the airline’s website, find the tab that says online check-in and click on it. Then fill in, usually this:

Electronic ticket number or booking code
- departure airport
- first and last name of the passenger
- departure date

After entering the necessary information for registration, the system will generate a boarding pass, which must be printed (this will be the document that must be presented at the airport gate when boarding the plane). At the airport, for online registered passengers, you need to check your luggage at a special counter and avoid standing in a huge general queue, and if you are flying only with hand luggage, then go straight to security and passport control.

Option 2 – regular registration:
You decide to use the traditional check-in form upon arrival at the airport. Check-in for a flight usually opens three hours before departure and closes 50 minutes before scheduled departure. First timers should arrive 2 or 3 hours early to avoid fuss, rush, worry, confusion and anxiety. Departure and arrival times on air tickets are always indicated only as local times. You need to remember this when preparing for your trip. Otherwise, you may miss your plane or even ruin your trip.

Regular check-in at the airport with a queue

When entering the airport, you need to go through a metal detector; your luggage will be scanned on a self-propelled belt - this goes quickly. Inside the airport there is a board (information monitor) with departures. It says Departures in English. In the printout of the electronic ticket we find the flight number Flight (for example UN777) the destination city and on the board we find our flight. Once again, we clarify the direction and remember the number of the check-in counter, where they will exchange the air ticket for a boarding pass, which is a pass to the plane. Note – if you arrive too early, your flight may not yet be shown on the board.

Approaching the check-in counter, you present your passport, ticket and voice your wishes for a seat on the plane (at the aisle, at the emergency exit, at the window, etc.) Taking into account your wishes and capabilities, you will be given a ticket with a seat. Then they will weigh and accept your luggage. A tag with a number will be affixed to both the luggage and the ticket. Make sure your luggage is tagged with your name and flight number, and your ticket has a baggage receipt.

The boarding pass contains important information - the date and time of departure, flight number, boarding time, gate number of the boarding area (Gate) and most importantly, the number of your seat in the aircraft cabin. Boarding times will be repeated repeatedly over the airport's public address system. Loud and clear every 10-15 minutes.

Boarding pass. Click on photo to enlarge

With your passport and boarding pass, proceed to the customs inspection area. This is the most meticulous check before boarding. Customs control is required to find out whether you have antiques, large sums of money, drugs, weapons, excise goods, etc. on you. You must declare this in the customs declaration. Therefore, before passport control, fill out a customs declaration if there is something to declare, but if not, a declaration is not required.

For the convenience of passengers at international airports, there are two types of border crossings: green And red corridors. You choose the corridor yourself. 99 percent of tourists have nothing to declare, so you can freely go through the green corridor.

Green corridor sign for exiting the airport. This corridor is suitable for 99% of tourists

Customs officers have the right to ask you to present your luggage for inspection, but this is an extremely rare practice. Therefore, before passport control, they fill out a customs declaration if there is something to declare, but if not, a declaration will not be required. Then you need to go to the passport control area. The border guard will check your boarding pass and passport.

After passport control you need to go through a personal search. When going through security you must present your passport, boarding pass and ticket. Aviation security staff will tell you what to do. Attention! If you have implanted devices, do not enter the area of ​​a stationary metal detector. First, contact the aviation security inspector and explain your situation to him.

After passing security, you enter the boarding lounge. Now you can relax and stroll around the waiting room, buy souvenirs and wait for the boarding announcement. After the announcement, you need to go to the gate indicated on your boarding pass and present this pass to the attendant. You will only need your boarding pass and possibly your passport. Airports with heavy traffic sometimes do not announce the start of boarding. Therefore, you must always remember about the landing time and at the specified time independently go to the desired exit (Gate). Boarding the plane takes place either by bus or through a special accordion connecting the plane with the terminal building.

After landing at the airport, you go through the same procedures as when landing. First, passport control: the border guard will check your passport, boarding pass, visa or entry permit. Then you receive your luggage and go through customs control. If your luggage is not found or is damaged, you must contact an airport employee (Lost and found).

You see nothing complicated, even if you first time at the airport.

Fly with pleasure!

Everyone who has ever flown on an airplane or seen off loved ones knows about such a procedure as check-in for a flight, but few have thought about what it is.

In essence, this is compiling a list of those passengers who are allowed to board the plane, as well as assigning them a certain place (seat) in the aircraft cabin. Under no circumstances will you be allowed on board without registration.

There are several forms of registration:

• At the airport, at the check-in counter;
• At special registration kiosks;
• Online check-in for flight.

So, let's start with the first option. Check-in for the flight begins some time before the plane departs. The check-in start time is set by the air carrier, but usually it is 1.5-2 hours before departure. You need to arrive at the airport, find out where check-in for your flight takes place, go to the counter, go through check-in and baggage check-in. Since you are not the only passenger on this flight, you will encounter a huge line at the check-in counter. To avoid standing in line, we recommend arriving at the airport early. Typically, business class passengers are checked in ahead of the queue.

To register, you must present the original passport or the document with which you are going to fly; see the required documents for the flight for more details. For international flights, you may need other documents (visas, etc.). The necessary documents must be prepared in advance and have on hand so as not to delay the queue.

An electronic ticket itinerary receipt (what you receive by email when purchasing a ticket) is not needed for registration, you can print it out and take it just for yourself, for your convenience.

During check-in, you are assigned a specific seat in the aircraft cabin. In the cabin of any aircraft, the seats differ in terms of comfort. Your seat on the plane is determined by the check-in officer. You may be offered more comfortable seats for a fee. You can also ask to be seated by a window or an aisle. If you are with a child under 12 years old, the air carrier is obliged to do everything possible to seat the child next to you. We tell you more about which seats on the plane are best to choose in ours.

After check-in, you are given a boarding pass, which, in addition to other information, indicates the number of the seat in the aircraft cabin, the end time of boarding the aircraft and the number of the boarding gate (the so-called Gate).

Baggage check-in also takes place at the check-in counter. A tag is attached to your luggage, part of which is given to you. Using this tag you will then receive your luggage back. A tag is also attached to your hand luggage. We will discuss issues related to luggage separately in another article.

Registration at kiosks. Some airports have self-service check-in kiosks. Some airlines even place such kiosks outside the airport, in different places around the city. You fill out your details yourself, choose a comfortable seat on the plane and check in for the flight. The terminal gives you a boarding pass. It's quite convenient. However, remember that you will still have to check in your luggage and hand luggage; to do this, you need to go to special drop-off counters at the airport. If there are no such counters, then you can go to the regular check-in counter. The first option is of course preferable, since there will be a shorter queue.

Online check-in for flight. This is the most convenient option for registration. We advise everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. You can go to the airline’s website at home, in a relaxed environment, fill out your details, select any available seat on the plane and check in for the flight. Considering that online check-in usually begins 24 hours before departure, this option is incomparably more convenient than others. There are several options for obtaining a boarding pass when checking in online. We talk about them and many other subtleties in detail in a separate article dedicated to online registration.

As in the previous option, when checking in online, baggage is checked in separately either at drop-off counters or at a regular check-in counter. Drop-off counters are intended specifically for those passengers who have checked in independently, so usually the queues there are not long.

Registration ends no earlier than 40 minutes before the scheduled departure. If you did not have time to go to the counter before the end of check-in or register in another way, you may be denied transportation on this flight.

So, you have checked in, checked in your luggage, all you have to do is relax and wait for the plane to board. If you have a lot of time, then it’s time to sit in a cafe and drink a cup of coffee.

Boarding the flight

You must have your paper boarding pass with you when you board. It shows the boarding gate number and boarding end time. When the airport announces that boarding has begun, you should go to the appropriate gate and go through the appropriate security control. It should be taken into account that in addition to security control, on international flights you will also have to go through border control, and possibly customs or other formalities. Therefore, try to get to the gate on time so as not to be late for boarding. There are times when a person inadvertently stands in line to board at the wrong gate, so don’t be lazy and ask if the flight is yours.