Online check-in is not a legal requirement, but with many low-cost airlines you should always do it: if you turn up at the airport without checking in, Ryanair and Wizz Air charge you for check-in at the desk, and if you miss the deadlines you can lose your flight. With other airlines, such as Vueling, the airport boarding pass stays free if online check-in did not work. Here is how it works, when it opens and closes, and what you risk if you skip it.
What online check-in is and why it matters
Checking in confirms to the airline that you will travel, records your travel document details where needed and gives you a boarding pass, the document that gets you through security and onto the plane. Online, you do it on the website or app in the days or hours before the flight; then, if you have no checked bag, you go straight to security and the gate. If you have a bag for the hold, you only stop at the desk to drop it off.
When it opens and closes: three airlines compared
| Airline | Online opens | Online closes | Airport check-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 24 hours before (60 days with a reserved seat) | 2 hours before | Paid; desks close 40 minutes before |
| Wizz Air | 24 hours before (30 days with a purchased seat) | 3 hours before | Paid; cheaper if bought in advance |
| Vueling | From booking to 24 hours before, depending on fare | Usually 50 minutes before (Schengen flights) | Free boarding pass if online check-in failed |
Rules change often and differ by airline, so always check your confirmation email or the official website. For details, see our guides to Ryanair check-in, Wizz Air check-in and Vueling check-in.
What happens if you do not check in online
- You pay a fee: with Ryanair, if you have not checked in online 2 hours before departure, desk check-in costs extra; with Wizz Air, airport check-in is always paid, except where online check-in is unavailable.
- You risk not flying: if you arrive after the desks close, Ryanair may deny you boarding without a refund; Wizz Air cancels the booking if you do not complete check-in on time.
- You lose options: without early check-in you usually get a random seat and longer queues.
There are exceptions: at some airports online check-in is not available and desk check-in is free, and passengers whose documents need checking (a visa, for example, or an ETA for the UK) may be sent to the desk at no cost.
How to check in online without mistakes
- Note when check-in opens: many airlines send a reminder email, but do not rely on it alone.
- Have ready your booking reference, the email you booked with and a valid ID.
- Enter your details exactly as on your document: you will show the same document at the airport.
- Download your boarding pass in the app or, where allowed, print it; keep a screenshot as a backup.
- Check in again if you change flights: a boarding pass is only valid for the flight it was issued for.
On documents, the general rule is a valid passport or national ID card accepted for your destination. Flights between Ireland and the UK have their own ID rules, so if in doubt check with the airline and the authorities of the country you are flying to.
Check-in and your passenger rights
Check-in also matters for compensation. EU Regulation 261/2004 protects passengers with a confirmed reservation who present themselves for check-in by the time the airline set or, if no time was given, at least 45 minutes before departure. If you did, and the flight arrives 3 hours or more late, is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or you are bumped because of overbooking, you may be entitled to €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, unless there were extraordinary circumstances. If you missed the flight because you were late, no compensation is due.
With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes whether you are owed money: you pay nothing upfront and you pay 25% + VAT only if you get the compensation. See how flight delay compensation works.
Frequently asked questions about online check-in
Is online check-in mandatory?
Not by law, but with airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air airport check-in costs extra, so it pays to do it online.
How early does online check-in open?
It depends on the airline and fare: with Ryanair and Wizz Air, usually 24 hours before if you have not bought a seat.
How late can I check in online?
That depends too: 2 hours before with Ryanair, 3 hours before with Wizz Air, and usually 50 minutes before with Vueling on Schengen flights.
I checked in and my flight was cancelled. What am I entitled to?
A refund or alternative flight, care at the airport and, unless there were extraordinary circumstances, compensation of up to €600 per passenger.
If I miss my flight because I did not check in, can I claim compensation?
No, Regulation 261/2004 protects passengers who show up on time. You can, however, ask for an airport tax refund for the unused flight.
Work out your compensation now
Enter where you flew from and to: in 2 minutes you will know whether you are owed compensation and how much.
- Free check, no commitment
- No upfront costs: 25% + VAT only if we win
- We deal with the airline for you
Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.