FAQ: is it better to check in for flights online or at the airport? Most scheduled airlines have an online check-in facility which opens 24 hours in advance of the departure time. The earlier you access the service, the more seats there will be to choose from. Or, at least, that's the theory. Sometimes the choice improves as more seats are released. If you dislike your seat, it is possible to change it at the bag drop and be issued with a new boarding pass. I recently used Emirates mobile check-in but struggled to open the boarding pass on my phone at the bag drop. Beware of relying on a smartphone e-ticket outside of Europe without backup paperwork. Airports often have security checks outside the terminal building. These are performed by local police or army personnel who want to see "proper paperwork," as I was told recently in India. Carry a printout of the actual e-ticket which has your name clearly shown at the top of the flight itinerary.