Checking in at DEL for an international flight
Jun 16, 2017, 7:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,727
Checking in at DEL for an international flight
How many hours prior to an international departure can a passenger check in with AI in DEL? Does it make a difference (a) if no baggage is to be checked in and/or (b) the passenger is a *Gold member?
Jun 16, 2017, 11:48 pm
#2
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typically its about 4 hours....but given the fact that ai counters are pretty much open round the clock, they do have the ability to check you in earlier as well....
it makes no difference whether you don't check in any bags or have *gold status....
it makes no difference whether you don't check in any bags or have *gold status....
Jun 19, 2017, 6:32 am
#3
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But will the security let you in too far in advance of your flight?
Jun 19, 2017, 1:41 pm
#4
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Jun 26, 2017, 12:35 pm
#6
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I wouldn't recommend arriving more than 4 hours before departure.
My experience at both BOM/DEL:
First, the doc checker at the door is unlikely to let you in. If you somehow manage to convince him/her that you have some reasonable reason to go in early, the airline counter is unlikely to be open (unless flying AI/9W). If the counter is open and you get a boarding pass, the doc checker before immigration is unlikely to let you through. Once you do get through, the lounge staff may give you a hard time if you're more than 4 hours prior to departure.
After trying this a few times too many, I've now concluded that it's not worth the hassle to arrive early for a flight, and that it's worthwhile to leave the airport for a few hours during long layovers.
My experience at both BOM/DEL:
First, the doc checker at the door is unlikely to let you in. If you somehow manage to convince him/her that you have some reasonable reason to go in early, the airline counter is unlikely to be open (unless flying AI/9W). If the counter is open and you get a boarding pass, the doc checker before immigration is unlikely to let you through. Once you do get through, the lounge staff may give you a hard time if you're more than 4 hours prior to departure.
After trying this a few times too many, I've now concluded that it's not worth the hassle to arrive early for a flight, and that it's worthwhile to leave the airport for a few hours during long layovers.
Jun 30, 2017, 8:20 am
#7
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Frequent flyer status won't get a passenger in any earlier to the check-in area when dealing with CISF types at the door.
If desperate to get in, then there may be the changeable/refundable booking route. But even then, that is not what I would do at DEL.