This page, "How to Check In" does not make it clear that passengers are entitled to check in with an agent. It lays out the three options of Web, Mobile and Kiosk, lists the services that all three options offer, then at the very bottom list the following exceptions for "When to check in with an airport agent"

The following customers will need to check in with an airport agent:

• Children travelling with our Unaccompanied Minor service
• Customers requiring medical assistance, the use of a wheelchair or whose reservation contains a special request
• Passengers travelling with a pet in the cabin or the baggage compartment

It does seem unless one of these 3 exceptions applies, requiring "Check in Assistance", there is no counter available for "Check in".


Not relevant to OP but related to human check-ins, mentions of AC Priority check-in on ac.com do not explicitly list "human" as a service, however my experience is human has never turned me back to a kiosk in these lines, AA, DL, UA and AC... had a short lecture from AA in YVR to which I merely smiled silently and did not waver... without a single word from me it finished with "Here are your boarding passes. Thank you Mr. Cargo for being Platinum."