How to Check in United Airlines? UA Check-in Policy

Passengers can check in on United Airlines flights starting 24 hours before the scheduled departure. There shall be some difference in the prescribed time due to the destination and airport. A chart listing the timings is listed in the later section. Before that let us discuss the ways to check in with United Airlines and the eligibility criteria for the same. Currently, the airline offers online and offline modes to finish the check-in and get the boarding pass which includes mobile, website, airport counter, and self-serve kiosk. Passengers, as per their convenience and eligibility, can use any of these and board the flight within the time prescribed by the airline.

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United Airlines Flight Check-in Options

United Airlines passengers can check-in via the online portal and download the boarding pass from the comfort of their home. Other options are also available including the airport ticket counter and the kiosks.

The online mode is the most popular amongst the passengers to get the boarding pass after completing the check-in easily from your premises. Now, you can get a direct link for the pass on your phone. However, we have discussed all the possible ways you can use to check-in on United Airlines.

United Airlines Kiosk and Airport Counter Check-In

Passengers must arrive early to the airport to complete the check-in and get the boarding pass. The portal is available 24 hours prior to the departure. While passengers opting for the offline check-in are suggested to arrive on the described timings to finish it along with other formalities like baggage, security. The timings might vary depending on the destination and the airport.

Share your confirmation number and last name to the staff to check-in via ticket counter. While for self-serve kiosk, enter the details to log in to your account and read the flight summary, add additional services or select preferred seat before conforming. Finally, click on continue and print command to get the boarding pass.

United Airlines Online Check-In

Passengers can complete United Airlines Online Check-In through the official website or via mobile application. The online check-in can be accessed by providing MileagePlus® account information. However, this online facility is not available to some international destinations. Check the steps below:

Visit united.com or its mobile application.
Four options will appear on the very top page.
Click on the Check-in button.
In this section a box will appear asking for your confirmation number and last name
Enter the required details and click on Search.
Flights Booked up till now will appear on the screen.
Select the reservation you want to check-in.
All your information regarding the upcoming flight will appear, check it carefully.
If the option to select preferred seat appear, then you can choose it
Otherwise, finally Confirm.
Now, Boarding pass can now be seen on the screen.
Click on the Download or opt to send the link in the mail.

You can print the downloaded boarding pass to clear the security at the airport. Otherwise, save the link sent in the mail and scan the barcode on the screen attached at the gate. It will automatically confirm your details for the United Airlines flight. The most important is to make sure that your name and other details are correct before confirming the check-in as entry is not allowed on the flight if the spelling is different from the identity proof. If there is any mistake, then a step-by-step procedure is available to change or correct name on United Airlines.

Eligibility Criteria for United Online Check-In

United Airlines App allows check-in for 30 other airline partners if it is a connecting flight. Similar to this condition, there are other rules defined by the airline to use the online check-in. Read the following points to check if you qualify the eligibility criteria.

Allowed

A group reservation with equal to or less than 9 passengers can use this online feature.
The first flight of the entire route or itinerary must be operated by United Airlines.
Those who have previously scanned the passport on the United App are also eligible.
Flight total segments should be four or less to qualify for online check-in.

Not Allowed

The tickets purchased offline can not be checked-in via website or mobile application.
Basic Economy ticketed passengers won’t be able to use the online check-in feature until they are checking the bag.
Lastly, if your ticket includes special assistance, then you are required to meet the staff at the airport and can not get the boarding pass online.

United Airlines Check-in Time for Different Flights

As previously mentioned there is a minimum timeline suggested by United Airlines to reach at the airport and finish check-in, baggage and to arrive at the boarding gate. It is based on the calculated time required at each counter before boarding the plane. Any failure to abide by this could lead to denied entry on delays. You must arrive 30 minutes before the departure for a domestic flight without checked bags. Otherwise, arrive 45 minutes before the departure. In case, you’re holding an international flight ticket then reach at least an hour before the departure.

Name of the Airport within the US	Check-in time
Baltimore (BWI)	With or without checked bags: 45 minutes International flights: 60 minutes
Honolulu (HNL)	With checked bags: 30 minutes No checked bags: 45 minutes International flights: 75 minutes
Kahului, Maui (OGG)	With or without checked bags: 45 minutes International flights: 60 minutes
Mammoth Lakes (MMH)	With or without checked bags: 30 minutes International flights: 60 minutes
Salt Lake City (SLC)	With or without checked bags: 45 minutes International flights: 60 minutes
San Juan, PR (JU)	With or without checked bags: 45 minutes International flights: 60 minutes
Flights to or from Micronesia and the Marshall Islands	With or without checked bags: 90 minutes International flights: 90 minutes

Apart from the above, there are guided check-in time limits for specific destinations and flight types. Check the table below to match it for your destination if it lies in any of these.

Airport	International Non-stop flights (without or with checked bags)	Domestic Flights within the U.S. with checked bags	Carry-on bags flights within the U.S.
Baltimore (BWI)	60 minutes	45 minutes	45 minutes
Honolulu (HNL)	75 minutes	45 minutes	30 minutes
Kahului, Maui (OGG)	60 minutes	45 minutes	45 minutes
Mammoth Lakes (MMH)	60 minutes	30 minutes	30 minutes
Salt Lake City (SLC)	60 minutes	45 minutes	45 minutes
San Juan, PR (SJU)	60 minutes	45 minutes	45 minutes
Baltimore (BWI)	60 minutes	45 minutes	45 minutes

Generic Timings

For the majority of the flights operating from the U.S. and other international regions, the bag won’t be allowed for check-in for more than four hours before departure. Check out the minimum time requirements for the following flights.

Passengers for the majority of the United operated airlines within the U.S. reach the airport at least 30 minutes before departure if you don’t need to check or submit the bag.
While those with bags must arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled flight time.
A minimum 90 minutes time limit is set for passengers on route to/from Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. It is the same for checked and without bags tickets.
Flights with scheduled departures from Guam before 9:30 a.m. can check-in a night before the departure in anytime between 7:30-9:30 p.m.