Air France offers flexible ways to complete the check-in online as well as at the airport. You can complete check-in from your home via smartphone or directly at the airport.
In addition to the convenience, each Air France check-in method comes with a unique design to save time before departure.
Online check-in lets you complete the boarding process from the comfort of your home in advance, while a self-service kiosk at the airport speeds up the process for travelers and helps them skip the long queues at the traditional check-in counters.
For those with special travel requests seeking personalized support during travel, they can resort to Air France check-in counters at the airport.
Below is a detailed guide that helps you understand the step-by-step check-in process for Air France.
How to Check In for an Air France Flight?
Let’s understand what the right check-in method is for you while flying with Air France. In this guide, we will cover step-by-step instructions on how you can complete your check-in and other essential information for a hassle-free travel.
Method 1: Online Check-In with Air France
Air France allows passengers to check in starting from 30 hours before departure. For flights departing from New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Detroit, the check-in window opens 24 hours before departure. You can check in via the airline’s official website or mobile app.
1.1 For Website Check-In:
You can initiate the website check-in via Air France’s official website. You can complete the check-in from your desktop. The airline offers a user-friendly navigation that helps you complete the process.
This will help you complete the check-in by avoiding the long queue at the airport and by preparing the travel documents in advance.
Visit the website and go to the “Check-in” section. In addition:
- Enter the booking reference, e-ticket number, or Flying Blue card number. Enter the last name of the passenger in the required field.
- Select your seats, and add baggage if required.
- You can download and print your boarding.
2.2. Mobile App Check-In:
This is the most convenient way to complete Air France check-in. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can access your booking, select seats, and save your eboarding pass.
The Air France app is the fastest way to obtain your boarding pass. Simply,
- Download the app on your iOS or Android device.
- Access your booking, choose your seat, and complete the check-in process.
- Save your boarding pass on your smartphone device.
Method 2: Airport Check-In with Air France
You can complete check-in at the dedicated Air France counter at the airport. Moreover, to expedite your check-in without waiting in long queues, consider using a self-service kiosk.
The check-in window at the airport opens 30 hours before departure. You can complete the check-in at the airport up to 45 minutes before departure for international travel. For flights within France, the check-in deadline is 30 minutes before departure.
1.1. Check-in kiosks:
The self-service check-in kiosks are located at major airports and allow travelers to check in, print baggage tags, and obtain a boarding pass.
This is best for passengers who want to complete check-in by themselves at the airport.
With a kiosk, you can:
- Simply scan your passport and enter your booking reference.
- Print boarding passes and collect baggage tags.
- There is also an option to change a flight or purchase additional baggage with the kiosk.
If you need customized travel support, Air France staff at the counter are available to assist with:
- Children traveling alone
- Pet travel
- Wheelchair assistance and boarding assistance for those with medical conditions.
- Last-minute cancellation or booking changes.
How Will You Obtain Your Air France Boarding Pass?
Once you’ve completed Air France check-in, you have the option to choose how you want to retrieve your boarding pass:
- By email: This will allow you to print it later.
- Download on your smartphone. This is ideal for easy scanning at security and at boarding gates.
- Print the boarding pass from your home.
- Obtain a boarding pass at the self-service kiosk at the airport
- Speak to the airline’s staff at the airport to help you with the boarding pass.
How Will You Print Your Baggage Tags?
Passengers who are traveling with checked luggage can choose from two options:
- You can print your baggage tag from the convenience of your home.
- Most travelers will print and collect their baggage tag at the airport using the Air France interactive kiosk.
After tagging your luggage, simply drop it at the designated baggage counter. If you’re traveling with carry-on luggage only, head straight to the boarding area after check-in.
What Are the Check-In Timings and Deadlines for Air France?
Air France’s check-in windows start 30 hours before departure, and close 60 minutes before takeoffs for long-haul international flights. For short-haul domestic travel, the check-in must be completed within 30-45 minutes before departure.
Please note that the boarding gates close 15-20 minutes before scheduled departure. After completing check-in, proceed to the baggage area and then security.
For a quick reference, here is a table outlining the Air France check-in deadlines for the following airports:
| Airport / Route Example | Flight Type | Check-In Closing Time Before Departure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | Long-haul (e.g., to New York) | 60 minutes | Includes partner flights |
| Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | Short-haul (e.g., to London) | 30 minutes | Mobile boarding pass accepted |
| Paris-Orly (ORY) | All flights | 40 minutes | Inter-airport connections exempt |
| Lyon (LYS) or Nice (NCE) | Domestic/European | 45 minutes | Kiosks available 24/7 |
| International (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai) | All flights | 60–90 minutes | In-person boarding pass required |
| U.S. Departures (e.g., Atlanta and Detroit) | All flights | 60 minutes | Online check-in opens 24 hours before the flight |
| Restricted Cities (e.g., Casablanca, Tunis) | All flights | Varies (airport collection only) | No online boarding pass available |
Conclusion
Air France makes check-in very flexible with the multiple options that suit travelers as per their preferences. From online check-in to self-service kiosks and staffed counters at the airport, you can choose the method that best fits your travel needs.
While most passengers are comfortable requesting check-in online, starting 30 hours before departure, it comes with certain limitations and deadlines that may apply to your travel.
FAQs
You can check in online or via the mobile app 30 hours before departure.
You have several options: online, mobile app, airport kiosk, and check-in counter.
At the airport, the check-in window opens 3 hours before departure.
Air France online check-in is available for solo travelers, families, passengers with or without checked luggage, and flights operated by Air France.
You cannot check in online if traveling with pets, reserving extra seats, upgrading with Flying Blue miles, or flying from Sofia.
Yes, if you’re flying from Paris CDG or Marseille to Tel Aviv or if the flight itinerary includes a rail segment from Strasbourg or Brussels, then you can check in online, but boarding passes need to be collected from the airport.