Boarding Now

At the Airport

Schedules

When heading to the airport, don’t take any risks—allow enough time for the journey. Airports are almost always on the outskirts of cities, so be mindful of traffic jams.

Check-in Times

No matter the flight, the departure time is always listed on your ticket. However, you should always arrive before the indicated time. For this reason, agencies/airlines typically ask passengers to check in at the airport three hours before departure, or even earlier if there are special security measures, such as for flights to the United States. That said, unless you anticipate any issues with boarding (paperwork, excess baggage, etc.), arriving two hours before departure is usually sufficient. After all, many check-in counters don’t open until then.

This check-in time is actually tied to the **Check-in Deadline (HLE)**, which determines the time beyond which boarding is no longer guaranteed—typically 20 minutes to one hour before takeoff. After this deadline, the airline may consider you a "no-show" and give your seat to someone on the waiting list. In this case, the refused passenger has no recourse and cannot expect compensation or a refund (except for full-fare tickets).

Miscellaneous Precautions

Other time-related precautions may also be useful.

If in doubt, call the airline or airport the day before departure to confirm your flight is on schedule. Alternatively, you can check the airport’s website, where upcoming flights are usually listed. Note that all this information, regardless of the source, is provided for guidance only and may change without liability for the providers, including the airlines. Also, on strike days, some airlines or airports set up dedicated hotlines or web pages to keep passengers informed about expected traffic.

Finally, to avoid unnecessary waits or to choose the best seat, try to find out the day before departure whether your flight is full. If it is, arrive 2 to 3 hours early to be among the first to check in. Conversely, if the flight is nearly empty, you can afford to arrive just 2 hours before takeoff. Note, however, that online check-in is increasingly available.

The Airport

Terminals

The airport name—and sometimes the departure terminal—is listed on your ticket and other travel documents. Paper guides and especially airport websites usually include descriptions of terminals, services, and facilities, along with plenty of useful information for air travel.

Parking

Every airport has several parking options. However, costs for the same duration can vary depending on the type (short-term, medium-term, long-term), services (guarded or not, covered or not), or location. For example, a day’s parking at Paris-Orly can cost almost double depending on the lot. So, compare options (information is easily accessible), and don’t forget that the farthest lots are always connected to terminals by free shuttles.

Zones and Terminals

Airports have different zones: the **departures area**, where check-in formalities take place; the **restricted zone**, accessible only to boarding or disembarking passengers, which includes the **duty-free zone** with shops and boarding gates; the **baggage claim area**; and, of course, the **arrivals area**, where people can wait to greet passengers.

Depending on their size or importance, some airports have multiple terminals, each serving different airlines or destinations.

Security Checks

Airports are subject to strict security rules, particularly for preventing criminal or terrorist acts. Baggage checks are conducted before reaching the boarding area. All carry-on luggage must pass through an X-ray scanner (no risk to cameras or laptops), and its contents are displayed on screen. Each passenger must also pass through a metal detector.

Unattended or abandoned baggage may be destroyed at any time, with no compensation for the owner.

Choosing the Airport

Often overlooked, the choice of departure and arrival airport (and any transit points) should be considered a key factor when buying a ticket, just like the price.

Additionally, each airport serves specific airlines—this is the case in Paris with Orly and Roissy. To save money, it’s best to choose the flight that departs closest to your home (or your arrival city). For example, when flying from a regional airport requiring a connection in Paris, you’ll often land at Orly. In this case, a connection from the same airport is preferable to a transfer to Roissy. Not only does this save about an hour, but you’ll also avoid a 25 €–30 transfer fee.

Similarly, the arrival airport may differ depending on the flight. It’s best to choose the one that fits your itinerary, especially if you’re connecting to another flight for your final destination. Many cities have an international airport and another for domestic flights (or even a dedicated low-cost airport).

In practice, it’s worth researching this if your trip involves cities like Paris, London, Milan, Rome, New York, Washington, Istanbul, Bangkok, or Tokyo.

Check-in

Once at the airport, the first step is to check in at the airline counter. This involves presenting your ticket (now electronic) and ID to validate your passage and check in your hold luggage. The staff may also ask security-related questions, particularly about your baggage.

If you already have your ticket (for scheduled flights), you can go directly to the airline counter. For charter flights, however, you may only have a booking confirmation, and you’ll need to visit the tour operator’s counter first to receive your travel document.

Pre-check-in

Pre-check-in is now common for flights. This can be done online on the airline’s website, by phone, or increasingly via self-service kiosks at the airport. This system is usually available until the flight’s check-in deadline (roughly 30 minutes to an hour before takeoff).

You can select your seat (via a cabin map) and receive your boarding pass (to print). On the day of departure, if you’re traveling without luggage, you can go straight to your boarding gate. Otherwise, you’ll need to drop off your bags at the airline’s check-in counter (or a dedicated counter). In any case, this system saves time for passengers (and costs for the airline).

Choosing Your Seat

Seat selection happens at check-in. Since not all seats in a plane are the same, it’s best to choose wisely based on your preferences and comfort.

Checking in Baggage

This is the other part of check-in. After being registered as a passenger, you must check in your luggage, separating hold baggage from carry-on ("cabin baggage").

Checking in Hold Baggage

Economy Class

While the allowed hold baggage weight used to be fairly uniform, things have changed. Though the allowance is still around 20–23 kg per person in Economy, many airlines now have their own rules. While 20 kg is still common on most scheduled flights, charter and low-cost airlines often allow only 18 or even 15 kg. Infant fares do not include a baggage allowance, unlike child fares (ages 2–12). Note that some low-cost and even traditional airlines now charge a few euros for each hold bag, even within the allowance limit.

Other Classes

Logically, First and Business Class allowances are higher—typically up to 30 or 40 kg. Also, a frequent flyer card may grant an extra baggage allowance on the airline’s flights, regardless of class.

US Airlines and Transatlantic Flights

Most North American airlines, or sometimes other carriers on transatlantic flights, use a system based on the number of bags rather than weight.

Hold baggage is subjected to rough handling, so opt for rigid structures and avoid packing fragile items or unprotected liquids. It’s also best to keep medications, valuables, documents, and essentials with you to avoid issues in case of lost or delayed luggage.

Checking in Cabin Baggage

Rules here are also evolving, both for security and profitability reasons.

Generally, the combined dimensions of a cabin bag should not exceed 115 cm (e.g., 50 x 30 x 25 cm), and Economy passengers are often limited to one bag under their responsibility. However, regulations vary by airline, including weight limits—from 5 to 12 kg depending on the carrier, class, or flight.

Prohibited Items

Security concerns and heightened caution mean many items are now banned in cabin and/or hold baggage. Prohibited items include:

In Hold and Cabin

Cleaning products (detergent, bleach, etc.), solvents, toxic substances, acids, explosives or flammables, paints, pressurized containers, compressed gases (gas bottles, camping stoves, etc.), aerosols (except for personal use).

In Cabin

Sharp or bladed objects (knives, razors, scissors, cutters, knitting needles, screwdrivers, etc.), aerosols over 500 ml, weapons of any kind (or anything resembling one). Many airlines also ban lighters or liquids over 100 ml. In all cases, it’s best to pack these items in hold baggage.

Also Note

During check-in/boarding, any prohibited item will be confiscated (with no compensation) or, at best, asked to be placed in hold. However, rules vary by airline/airport. Europe and North America are strict, while other countries may be more lenient, especially with duty-free purchases. There’s also a paradox: you might board with a bottle in cabin, but if you transit through a European airport, the same bottle may be confiscated.

Excess Baggage

For cabin baggage, anything out of spec is automatically treated as hold baggage, adding to your hold allowance. For hold baggage, excess weight is charged at varying rates—from 5 €–10 or more, up to 1.3–1.5% of the Economy fare for the destination.

Special Baggage

Items like golf, ski, fishing, surfboard, or bike equipment usually have specific regulations and fees (check with the airline). It’s best to inquire beforehand, not at departure. Note that wheelchairs and strollers are transported free of charge on all airlines.

Tolerance

While security rules are strict (thankfully), baggage allowances can still vary. Some airlines or staff may be more lenient—it’s all about luck.

How to Navigate?

Given the differences, the best approach is to check with the agency (online or in-person) where you bought your ticket and, most importantly, directly with the airline (via their website or in person).

Labeling

Labeling your belongings is essential, especially in case of loss. For extra precaution, use two tags with your contact details—one inside and one outside each bag. On the outbound trip, you can also include your hotel address if known. This helps airport staff contact you locally if issues arise and prevents your luggage from being sent straight home. At check-in, you’ll receive a "tag" to prove ownership when claiming your bags.

Final tip: never accept luggage from strangers, whether departing or returning.

The Boarding Pass

Also called a boarding card or "boarding pass." This document is issued after check-in formalities are complete. It includes your name, flight number, destination, boarding gate number, boarding deadline, and seat number.

Boarding

After check-in, head to the boarding gate listed on your boarding pass. You’ll need to pass through customs and security checks with your boarding pass and travel documents.

For international flights, you can also make duty-free purchases in the restricted zone before reaching the boarding gate and boarding the aircraft. These areas are off-limits to the public and reserved for boarding or disembarking passengers.

Note that in large airports, these steps can take time due to crowds and potential issues. To be safe, start these procedures an hour before takeoff in major airports and at least half an hour in smaller ones.

Customs

The last point where non-passengers are allowed. Here, you must present your ID for verification. The French government has introduced the Parafe system to speed up the process for departures and arrivals.

Security Check

Next, your boarding pass and carry-on luggage are checked. Passengers must also pass through metal detectors (or body scanners in some airports). Any prohibited cabin items may be confiscated (with no compensation) or asked to be placed in hold.

Duty-Free Shops

Various products (alcohol, tobacco, perfume, etc.) are sold in duty-free shops in the restricted zone. These sales are reserved for passengers departing for foreign countries or overseas territories (but not DOMs). You’ll need to show your boarding pass to confirm your destination at checkout. Note that since 1999, duty-free is no longer available for intra-European flights, though some airports still offer preferential rates.

The value varies by country, airport, or product, and not all deals are good (Amsterdam, London Heathrow, and Dubai are known for their duty-free). Also, prices in many countries are not in local currency but in strong currencies, which may not always be favorable depending on exchange rates.

You can also make duty-free purchases on board international flights or those to DOM-TOMs. As with airports, the selection and value vary, though prices are often lower than in airport shops (no rent or staff costs).

Boarding Gate

This is the final step. Typically, passengers are invited to board about 20 minutes before takeoff. Boarding is usually done by passenger category (Business, Economy) and/or seat number (those in the back rows board first). Some passengers (families, disabled individuals, elderly) have priority.

When boarding, you must present your boarding pass and sometimes ID to airline staff.

Even though boarding is the last step, avoid arriving late. While announcements are made for latecomers, boarding closes after a certain time, and you won’t be allowed on board (with no compensation).

On Board

Your seat number is listed on your boarding pass, so just go to your assigned seat. If you have bulky carry-on luggage, avoid boarding last to secure space in the overhead bins.

If you want to change seats, it’s possible—either by asking the flight attendants if the seat is occupied or waiting until everyone is seated if it’s free (highly sought after for long-haul comfort). However, some seats, like those near emergency exits, now come with a surcharge on many long-haul flights.

Shortly before departure, the crew will demonstrate safety procedures (oxygen masks, emergency exits, etc.).

On Arrival

After leaving the plane, you’ll go through immigration, collect your luggage, and pass through customs.

There are no checks for domestic flights or intra-European flights within the Schengen Area. Otherwise, your ID (and visa if required) will be checked, along with the purpose of your trip, duration, and address. If you’re a foreigner, you’ll often need to fill out a form (usually given on the plane) to present at immigration, which will then give you a document to hand over on your return flight.

In Case of Transit

Same Airport

During a transit at the same airport, things differ slightly. In most cases, you won’t need to collect your hold luggage—it will be automatically transferred to your next flight.

Otherwise, either the airport has a transit zone where passengers wait (no additional formalities), or you’ll need to go through immigration before heading to the departure hall for your connecting flight.

Note that there’s no airport tax for transit passengers, but even if you’re just passing through, some countries (like the USA) require the same travel documents as any other visitor.