Qantas Boarding Pass and Check-In Times Explained

Qantas online check-in and the app both open 24 hours before departure. At the airport, counters generally open two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before for international flights, with some exceptions: Auckland from 3:30am, Los Angeles at 4:30pm for all flights, and four hours before departure at Dallas/Fort Worth, Delhi, London Heathrow, New York (JFK), San Francisco and Vancouver.

Closing times depend on your flight. For an international flight operated by Qantas numbered QF1 to QF399, check-in closes 60 minutes before departure. Other cases published by the airline:

For a oneworld flight, a codeshare, or a flight operated by another international partner, Qantas points you to that carrier for the recommended check-in time. Since timings vary by destination, double-check the exact time shown on your booking and arrive early rather than at the last minute.

Both online and through the app, check-in stays open until 30 minutes before departure for domestic flights and up to 90 minutes before departure for international flights. On the website, online check-in requires the six-character Qantas booking reference. On the app, your trip appears once it opens and a Check-in button starts the process; if the trip isn't listed, add it under the Travel section by entering your booking details.

Not every itinerary qualifies. According to the table published by Qantas, online or app check-in is available when the first flight is operated by Qantas or QantasLink, either with no connection or with a Qantas or QantasLink connection within 24 hours. It isn't available when the first flight is operated by Jetstar, nor when the connection within 24 hours involves oneworld, a codeshare, or another international partner. The app does, however, accept some cases the website doesn't, including a connection to American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines or SriLankan Airlines. For an international flight, keep your passport handy, since its details are requested during the process.

If your connecting flight is with a partner airline, check-in is handled on their end: see for example American Airlines check-in, Malaysia Airlines check-in rules or Cathay Pacific check-in.

Once check-in is complete, a digital boarding pass is issued. In the app, it stays available from the main menu and can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet; the app also shows real-time departure updates and gate information, and lets you view or change your seat.

If no boarding pass is issued at the end of the process, Qantas advises speaking to a customer service agent at the airport. This can happen when the itinerary combines several carriers or when a document needs to be checked in person.

When check-in through the app or website isn't available, it takes place directly at the airport. For in-person help, dropping off an unaccompanied minor, or a group booking, the airline directs travellers to its customer service agents at the airport.

On the baggage side, 60 minutes before departure. Qantas also offers a city check-in option departing from Hong Kong: if you use it, plan your journey around this earlier closing time rather than the airport deadline.

Qantas recommends checking in early and allowing enough time at the airport, particularly for an international flight with exit formalities.

On the documents side, a photo ID is required for all passengers aged 18 and over for a domestic flight operated as part of an international service. On an international flight, your passport is requested during online or app check-in; depending on the destination, a visa or travel authorisation may also be required, and any missing information sends you to the counter.

Some common situations:

• Reference not found: Qantas asks for the six-character Qantas booking reference, which isn't always the one shown by the travel agency or partner that sold the ticket.
• Flight operated by Jetstar or a oneworld partner: online check-in with Qantas isn't available in several of these cases, so contact the carrier concerned for the recommended check-in time.
• Need for assistance, unaccompanied minor or group booking: this is handled by customer service agents at the airport.
• Boarding pass not issued: speak to a customer service agent at the airport.

If you'd rather not track the opening of check-in yourself, iBoardingPass can complete online check-in on your behalf as soon as it opens and send you the boarding pass by email.