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Spring Airlines Online Check-in and Boarding Pass Guide
Spring Airlines (春秋航空, IATA code 9C) is a Chinese low-cost carrier based in Shanghai, serving a wide domestic network as well as Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Its check-in process follows the usual low-cost pattern: strict time windows, counters that close early, and baggage rules applied to the letter. This page brings together what you need to know before departure: when check-in opens and closes, how to get your boarding pass, and what awaits you at the airport.
When Spring Airlines check-in opens and closes
Timings vary depending on the type of flight and departure airport. According to the airline's public information, online check-in generally opens several hours before departure for domestic Chinese flights, and up to one or two days in advance for international flights. It closes well before departure, often within one to two hours beforehand.
At the airport, 9C counters close a certain time before departure, usually earlier for international flights than for domestic routes, and some busy hubs like Shanghai Pudong apply longer cut-off times. The time that actually counts is the one shown on your booking or confirmation: check it, and plan to be at the counter ahead of that deadline rather than right at the cut-off.
Once the window has closed, there is no catching up: a passenger who arrives after closing is treated as a no-show, and a non-changeable low-cost ticket is rarely refunded in that case.
Online check-in and mobile app
Spring Airlines offers check-in through its official website and its mobile app. You will need your booking reference (PNR) or ticket number, along with the passenger name exactly as it appears on the reservation.
For international flights, passport details (number, nationality, expiry date) are requested during the process. A mismatch between the document presented at the airport and the information entered can trigger a check at the counter.
Some situations cannot be handled online and require a counter visit: an unaccompanied minor, special assistance, an animal in the cabin or hold, an oversized bag, a group booking, or a ticket bought through an agency that did not pass on all the required data. On a few international routes, local authorities also require an in-person check of travel documents before boarding.
The boarding pass: paper or mobile format
After checking in, the boarding pass is issued electronically (in the app or by email) or printed at the counter or at self-service kiosks in the airport. Several Chinese airports now use facial recognition and ID-based verification, which can make a paper document unnecessary for domestic flights.
For international travel, the paper boarding pass remains the safer option: not every airport on the network accepts the mobile format at security checkpoints or border controls. If you are departing from an airport you are not familiar with, it is still worth stopping at the counter or a kiosk to have your pass printed.
When you receive it, check that the name, date, flight number, and gate are correct, and keep in mind that the gate shown can change: the airport's own screens are what counts.
At the counter: baggage drop and possible fees
Checking in online does not remove the need to visit the counter when a bag needs to travel in the hold. Baggage drop closes at the same time as airport check-in, sometimes slightly earlier on international flights.
Like many low-cost carriers, Spring Airlines sells baggage allowances separately from the ticket depending on the fare chosen, and a bag purchased at the counter generally costs more than one added in advance. Cabin baggage is checked for both size and weight: review the conditions attached to your fare before you travel, as they differ by booking class and route.
At peak times, queues at counters and checkpoints grow longer: arrive early enough that you are not caught out by the closing time. iBoardingPass can complete your online check-in on your behalf as soon as it opens, and send your boarding pass to you by email.
Common issues and solutions
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The website rejects your booking reference | Try using the ticket number instead; if the ticket came from an agency, ask them for the Spring Airlines booking code |
| Online check-in is not available for your flight | Some routes and fares require counter check-in: arrive at the airport earlier |
| Error in the name or passport details | Contact the airline's customer service before departure day, as an on-the-spot correction is not guaranteed |
| Boarding pass not received | Try again from the app, or have it printed at a kiosk or counter |
| You arrive after closing | Go straight to the ticket sales counter: rebooking may be possible, but it comes at a cost on a low-cost ticket |
In case of delay or cancellation, keep your boarding pass and baggage tags: these are the documents needed for any claim.
Frequently asked questions
When does Spring Airlines online check-in open?
Opening times depend on the flight: generally a few hours before departure on domestic Chinese routes and up to one or two days in advance internationally, according to the airline's public information. The exact window for your ticket is shown on your booking.
What time does Spring Airlines check-in close at the airport?
9C counters close before departure, earlier on international flights than on domestic ones, and sometimes even earlier at major airports. The time that counts is the one on your booking: it is best to be at the counter well ahead of that deadline, since boarding is refused once it has closed.
Do I need to print my Spring Airlines boarding pass?
On domestic Chinese flights, the mobile pass combined with current ID checks is often enough. On international flights, the paper version remains the safer choice, since not every airport on the network accepts the mobile format.
Can I check in online if I have checked baggage?
Yes, but you will still need to go to the baggage drop counter, which closes at the same time as airport check-in, or even slightly earlier on international flights.
What should I do if online check-in is not working?
Check your booking reference and the spelling of your name, then try the ticket number instead. Some passenger profiles (unaccompanied minor, special assistance, animal, special baggage) and certain routes require a counter visit anyway: in that case, arrive at the airport earlier.
Does Spring Airlines charge for checking in at the counter?
The airline's fares vary by route and market; on the relevant flights, services carried out at the counter, particularly adding checked baggage, cost more than if booked in advance. Check the conditions attached to your fare.
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The information on this page is taken from the airlines' official websites and dated item by item.