Air France tickets

[loobymiss]

I've booked flights through Expedia (air france) and I'm getting myself worked up about checking in.

I've not booked anything online before and am getting panicky about not having "actual" tickets in my hand!

Can someone clarify what paperwork I actually need to take with me to check in? Also there is something on the airfrance website about checking in on-line up to 24 hours before and getting an e-ticket. What is all that about and what are the advantages of this?

Help I'm getting very confused

 

[tennisfan]

You checking in 24 hours before you leave means you can just drop you luggage at the luggage drop at the airport as you have already checked in for your flight.

I think all you need to take is your flight itinary & booking number. I have not done this but my cousin has flown with e tickets & i'm sure that is all she needed.

 

[loobymiss]

You checking in 24 hours before you leave means you can just drop you luggage at the luggage drop at the airport as you have already checked in for your flight.

So does this basically mean you don't have to queue to check-in, are the queues usually big for this then? How does this work for seat allocation? Do you get to choose your seats online? I want to ensure we are all seated together as I'm getting concerned especially after reading the eurostar thread and all the problems on seating there!

 

[giuly09]

Hi
i booked online tickets for a flight sold by Alitalia but operated by Airfrance - and so even more complicated you see lol
I tried to check them in online the day before the flight but it didnt let me for that reason (alitalia/airfrance) so on the very day we went to the Airfrance desk with our internet papers and there was no problem.

If you have Airfrance tickets there should be no problems checking online i think, it will be worth trying and anyway you will be fine

I've booked flights through Expedia (air france) and I'm getting myself worked up about checking in.

I've not booked anything online before and am getting panicky about not having "actual" tickets in my hand!

Can someone clarify what paperwork I actually need to take with me to check in? Also there is something on the airfrance website about checking in on-line up to 24 hours before and getting an e-ticket. What is all that about and what are the advantages of this?

Help I'm getting very confused

 

[giuly09]

Hope it works, it tells you everything

http://www.airfrance.com/double6/pa...dWeb)/en-ESERV-Popup_mode_emploi?OpenDocument

 

[loobymiss]

Hope it works, it tells you everything

http://www.airfrance.com/double6/pa...dWeb)/en-ESERV-Popup_mode_emploi?OpenDocument

Thanks for that. So if a lot of people do this online check-in, then I would assume most of the seats would have been allocated 24 hours before the flight!

I might have to give this a go as I want to ensure we get decent seats. My printer is a bit dodgy though so fingers crossed it doesn't play up on the day!!!

 

[giuly09]

I dont think everyone will check in online - well they dont in Italy as there was a LONG queue at the desk
Good luck

 

[lojo]

I've done online check-in with Ryanair, Aerlingus and Easyjet, with varying degrees of success.

It works best when you are taking carry on luggage only because then you don't have to queue for anything other than security.

I have to say I really prefer it, not just because of queues but because if something was to delay your arrival at the airport you are already checked in and won't have the worry of not making it 'on time'.

Additional benefits of online check-in vary according to the airline. Ryanair online check-ins have a separate queue at the departure gate, so even though no seats are assigned at check-in, you do get priority selection. Aerlingus assigns seats at check-in (if you haven't already selected and paid for your choice) and I suspect Air France operate a similar system.

If you are worried about your printer, check whether your airport has check-in kiosks operating for Air France, as you can usually opt to print your boarding card from one of these after checking in online at home.

Bear in mind that unless you hunt down internet access while on holiday, you will have to queue (or use the kiosk) for the return journey.

I'm sure someone on here has been down this road with Air France and will be able to give you precise advice, but I have to say I now look for online check-in availability as it is so much less stress for me.

Whether you choose to check-in online or not, always print out the booking confirmation you get from the airline and take it with you, keep it safe (I always put it with the passports etc in the hotel safe) for the return journey.

And as Guilia says, the website gives pretty clear guidelines on what to do and what you need.