Air Tanzania Online Check-In and Boarding Pass

Air Tanzania sets different check-in windows depending on the type of flight. On domestic flights, according to the airline's public information, the counter generally opens two hours before departure and closes about three quarters of an hour before: treat this as a hard deadline and arrive earlier. On international flights within Africa as well as on routes between Africa and other continents, check-in is requested around three hours before departure and the counter closes 1 hour before departure. Departing from China, the airline asks passengers to arrive considerably earlier, four hours before takeoff, with closing time still set at 1 hour before departure.

These times are all relative to the scheduled departure time. Online check-in itself opens earlier, most often the day before the flight according to the airline's public information: check the exact window shown on your booking, and treat the earliest time as the one to follow. At busy airports, or during holiday periods, arriving ahead of the recommended window helps you avoid queues at security screening.

Air Tanzania's website describes its web check-in as an online process that lets passengers check in from the airline's site before reaching the airport, saving time at the terminal. Access is through the ONLINE CHECK-IN box on the homepage, using three pieces of information:

• the PNR, the six-character booking reference;
• the passenger's first name;
• the last name.

The airline states that if you're travelling with carry-on baggage only, you can check in online, then print or download your boarding pass and head straight to security screening. Air Tanzania doesn't promote a dedicated mobile app for this step: the process runs through the website. Some passengers are still directed to the counter, such as those needing special assistance, unaccompanied minors, travellers with infants, or those whose ticket was issued by an agency requiring visa checks on site.

After online check-in, the boarding pass can be printed or downloaded. At an Air Tanzania counter or desk at the airport, you'll receive a paper boarding pass. Twiga Miles members at Silver Selous and Gold Serengeti tier enjoy priority check-in at certain airports on the network (Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar), and their membership number must be presented at check-in.

If the boarding pass doesn't arrive, if the PNR is rejected, or if the flight involves a connection with another airline, you'll need to go through an agent at the counter: legs operated by a partner carrier can't always be processed online. Keep in mind that online check-in doesn't replace the travel document check, which is still carried out at the airport on international flights. Also check your visa requirements for Tanzania and for your final destination before departing.

Even if you've checked in online, you still need to go through the baggage drop counter if you're travelling with checked luggage, before the closing time mentioned above. Air Tanzania's baggage allowances depend on the fare and route: on domestic flights, Twiga Business class includes 30 kg, while Twiga Basic, Gain and Comfort fares include one free bag with the weight shown on your ticket. On international flights within Africa and beyond, economy fares include two pieces and business class three pieces, according to the airline's public information. Twiga Miles Silver and Gold members get an additional weight allowance on flights operated by the airline.

For carry-on baggage, the airline advises checking weight, dimensions and permitted items on its website before departure, and carrying liquids in small, transparent, resealable plastic containers, in line with current security rules. If you have a connecting flight with another airline, that carrier's rules apply on its leg.

One point specific to Air Tanzania is worth noting if you paid by bank card: the passenger must present the credit/debit card used to pay for the ticket at the check-in counter before departure, or a signed authorization letter with a copy of the passport if the cardholder is not traveling. The letter must state the ticket purchase agreement, the origin and destination, the amount paid, and the cardholder's full contact details, along with a photocopy of their passport or national ID card. Without this, boarding can be refused. This check isn't required if your card is covered by Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode. If you'd rather not track the check-in opening yourself, iBoardingPass can complete online check-in on your behalf as soon as it opens and send you the boarding pass by email.

Check-in rules vary from one carrier to another, including on routes that mirror Air Tanzania's network across Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean:

• Air Botswana check-in rules, across the Southern African regional network;
• Air Mauritius check-in for flights to Mauritius;
• Air Austral boarding pass departing from Réunion;
• Air Côte d'Ivoire check-in for West Africa.