R2

I agree. In Asia some of the LCCs encourage you to check-in up to two weeks (!) before departure. They also mention in the check-in process that once you have checked in, the flight is considered flown i.e. no cancellations, no changes, no refunds are allowed. So it is all downside to the passenger, I really don't get why anyone would want to check in days before the flight and in return lose all rights to changes etc.

Donegal

For many airlines around the globe OLCI is a way to reduce airport touch points served by human being and have the passenger serve himself. In QRs case I am not sure but I believe while the playing around with their App/Website gives them marketing data and exposure (e.g. advertising) another advantage is that they can predict the load of the aircraft better. Pax checked in have a X% higher probability to actually show up at the gate. They for sure know that formula and can therefore better plan overbookings or the most famous equipment changes.
For the client it does provide little advantage in QRs case: You can sometimes grab seats that have been until OLCI opens (1st row eg) and checking several times even if you are already checked in sometimes is helpful to choose a better seat because there are many changes between the start 48hours before departure and airport checkin.

ft101

To potentially get seats beside friends/family. Some people seem unable to be seperated no matter the length of flight.

Graciecatt

We will be flying home CAI-AMM-DOH-BOS in RJ J seats and QR QSuites. This is our first time visiting the Middle East. I had assumed I would check in for our flight home at the standard 24 hours before - but after reading this - how far ahead of our flight should we check in?

clubeurope

Online Check-in will always be 24 hours before departure for US-bound flights. Check-in as usual, there is no problem, especially being in J where you can choose your seats anytime.

Graciecatt

Thank you! We have seats already for all flights. My first 2 flights are on RJ (CAI-AMM-DOH) and they are not US-bound but hopefully checking in 24 hours ahead will be ok. We'll be between Hurghada and Cairo at the 24 hour mark and I hope to print my boarding pass when we arrive in Cairo.

ashbjr

An even simpler reason could be just that the 'Web Check In /Bag Drop' line at the check-in counters (most airports have this counter) is much much shorter than the normal Economy lines. This may save a lot of time. This is of course only an issue if you don't have status, and can't use the Business Class check in counters.

ISTFlyer

For IST and SAW, when traveling on QR, these lines are a lifesaver if you don't have status. When I didn't have status, instead of waiting 100+ people being directed to three agents, I was waiting for 2-3 people and checking-in. However, for QR, in most destinations, the trick is to arrive at the airport 1h-1h20mins before your flight. Most passengers would have been checked-in at that time so this would minimize the wait.

ashbjr

Exactly! When I said "much much" shorter, I did mean at this scale. There usually are 100+ people in the regular line and most times, when I didn't have status, I used to be able to walk right up to the Web Check In counter and check in without a wait. It always left me wondering why more people didn't just check in online. Nice tip on the timing of when best to check in, after the critical mass of folks have checked in!

Hafnia

Traveller999

Same as in DEL or BOM ;-)

ekfb