Airlink Boarding Pass and Check-in: Deadlines and Rules

Online and mobile check-in opens 24 hours before departure the scheduled departure. Once that window has passed, the deadline changes from one airport to another: for international and regional flights, Airlink's conditions of carriage state that the check-in counter closes 50 minutes before departure. On South African domestic flights, the cut-off time can differ: check the one shown on your booking or in the schedules published by the airline for your departure airport.

Check-in deadlines vary from one airport to another, and the airline recommends finding out the times that apply at your departure point. If in doubt, go with the earliest time, and allow enough of a margin for security checks, immigration and baggage sorting: a passenger showing up after closing risks being denied boarding.

Airlink offers online check-in from its website (Self Service Check-in area) and from the FlyAirlink app, available on smartphones. You can identify yourself with your booking reference and surname, with your e-ticket number and name, or with your Skybucks frequent flyer membership number.

Other options on the day of departure:

• self-service kiosks, available at several airports across the network, which print the boarding pass;
• Airlink check-in counters;
• the baggage drop-off counter for passengers already checked in online.

The app doesn't replace the website: both give access to the same check-in, starting from the same opening time. If your trip combines an Airlink flight with a flight operated by another airline on an interline ticket, check-in may need to be done at the counter, as the online procedure doesn't always cover these cases.

After online check-in, the mobile boarding pass can be downloaded to your phone or added to a wallet app. It's presented as is at the security check, where it's scanned, then again at the boarding gate.

The printed version is still useful: at certain stops on the regional network, a visit to the Airlink counter may be required. If you have any doubt about a stopover, go to the counter with your booking reference.

An important point for anyone travelling with a boarding pass obtained online: Airlink requires you to produce a valid ID, which will be checked at the boarding gate for passengers using online check-in. So have ready the passport or ID card used when booking, along with any visas required for the destinations concerned.

The cut-off time for presenting yourself at the gate is shown on the boarding pass itself, and that's the time that counts.

Checking in online doesn't exempt you from stopping at the counter when travelling with checked baggage. Airlink requires checked bags to be dropped off no later than 60 minutes before departure; if the bag drop counter isn't open at the airport in question, an Airlink check-in counter can be used instead.

With cabin baggage only and a mobile boarding pass, you can head straight to security. Baggage allowances depend on the fare purchased, the class and the route: check what's included on your booking, as Airlink's regional flights and domestic flights don't always apply the same rules.

Some steps also need to be completed before arriving at the airport. Passengers travelling to Zimbabwe must now fill in their arrival form online before departure, as paper forms are no longer used. Other health or administrative formalities apply depending on the route and change regularly: check the travel advisories published by Airlink for your itinerary.

Airlink's online check-in sometimes fails to go through. The most common causes can be identified before departure.

• The booking reference isn't recognised: check that the name entered matches the ticket exactly (surname only, without accents or middle name) and try the e-ticket number instead of the booking code.
• Flight operated by a partner: a flight sold under the Airlink code but operated by another airline follows that airline's own check-in procedure.
• Passenger requiring special handling: unaccompanied minor, pet in the cabin or hold, assistance, oversized baggage. These cases are handled at the counter. Airlink also states that assistance requests must be confirmed 72 hours before the flight, subject to availability.
• Travel documents to verify: on many international routes, the agent must check passport and visa before issuing the boarding pass.
• Seat not available online: assignment may be finalised at the airport, particularly on very full flights.
• Changes or cancellations: Airlink refers passengers to its reservations department (e-ticketing@flyairlink.com or +27 11 451 7300) for cancellations.

If you're worried about missing the opening of check-in, you can hand this task over to iBoardingPass, which checks in on your behalf as soon as it opens and sends you your boarding pass by email.