The process of check-in indicates to the airline that passengers have made the last step for their flight. Usually, is made in person in the airport but many companies recommend to do the online check-in in advance to avoid queues at the airport.

Baggage

If the passenger has baggage to check in, it is collected, weighed and labeled at the check-in counter. Once the process is completed, the passenger is given a document containing the flight data, which is the boarding pass: passenger data, flight departure time, departure terminal, boarding area or departure gate. Sometimes not all the information is known and the passenger must verify it with the information panels.

If the passenger is traveling with carry-on baggage only and already has his/her boarding pass, he/she can go through the security checkpoints before the boarding gate.

Check-in online

To avoid queues at airport check-in, airlines allow - and recommend - online check-in. If you have not been able to do so in advance, some airlines have installed self-service check-in machines at the airport. They work with the flight locator or the BCBP.

Available 24-48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure. This system confirms to the airline the passenger's attendance on the flight and, in most cases, the passenger can select the seat on the aircraft.

If you think your bags will exceed the baggage allowance, some airlines let you purchase additional excess baggagee when checking in online. The excess baggage rates are lower during this process than in the airport counters.

How does the check-in online?

You can visit the website of your airline and identify yourself as a user, but normally it is enough with the flight locator and the surname of the passenger. Follow the instructions to print the boarding pass, or to receive the information on your mobile as a Bar Coded Boarding Pass -or BCBP. Use it to print the boarding pass in the self-check-in machines at the airport.

The mobile boarding pass

The Bar Coded Boarding Pass or mobile boarding pass is an image with a 2D code that contains all the essential data of the flight and the passenger, in a readable form for the self-check-in machines. It is given by the airline in the last step of the check-in online.

Security Control points

Pre-boarding security checkpoints verify that passengers are not carrying items not permitted in their hand luggage, and that they and their belongings are analysed by security personnel.

These checkpoints are composed of arch metal detectors for people and X-rays for luggage. All liquids carried in the passenger's hand luggage will be presented here for examination. If you have a laptop computer or other electronic device in your carry-on baggage, you must remove it from its bag to be examined separately. Passengers' coats and jackets will be checked as separate pieces of hand luggage.

At checkpoints for international flights, there are often unexpected queues and delays, so it is recommended that you arrive in time to ensure that you do not have any problems with the departure of your flight. Once you pass them, proceed to your gate area.

Passport control

If the destination of the flight is a country not belonging to the Schengen area, the passenger must pass the documentation control. Have your travel documentation, D.N.I. or passport, visa and vaccination certificate -if applicable in both cases. The validity of the passport in some countries requires at least 6 months and one or two pages free of stamps.

At the passport control posts for international flights, queues and unforeseen waits are usually generated, so it is advisable to go early in order not to have setbacks with the departure of the flight. Once you pass them, proceed to your gate area.

Flight-cruise - Check-in only once

If you are a flight passenger has booked a cruise departing from Port of Barcelona, or coming to Barcelona by boat for leaving Barcelona by plane, you can join the check-in Seaport-Airport facilities offered by Barcelona airport to the cruise passengers during the summer season.