Checking in for international flight at gate?
 

Taking a positioning flight tomorrow from MSP-ORD and would prefer to not go back through security in ORD. I am not checking any bags. My second flight is on China Eastern (they do not allow online check-in) and is ORD-PVG-BKK. Any chance I'll be able to check in at the gate?

You won't be able to avoid security at ORD. China Eastern flies from Terminal 5, and your domestic flight will arrive at T1/T2/T3. While T1/T2/T3 are connected post security, terminal 5 isn't (a few airlines sponsor buses for T3 to T5 transfers but the buses are solely for passengers of those airlines). So you will have to exit security, take a train over to Terminal 5 and go back through security there.

To help others who might read this thread in the future: At many US airports, international flights operated by US-based airlines DO depart from what are traditionally considered to be "domestic terminals." In Chicago, for example, I believe that all of United and American's international flights depart from T1, T2 and T3. So if you're able to land on your inbound flight and remain airside when moving between gates, you could theoretically check in at the international departing gate. However...in this day and age there's virtually no reason to check in at a gate -- it should be done online as far in advance as possible, or at the check-in counter at your initial departure city. (Keep in mind there are cut offs for checking in, so you run the risk of cutting things close if you're running late.) If you do in fact get to the gate without having checked in, you may find that gate agents are tied up processing earlier departures. However, many airlines have also airside customer service desks and check-in kiosks you can use.

I've had to check in at the gate several times when I was connecting to a different carrier on an international itinerary and the first carrier either couldn't or wouldn't print my onward boarding pass. Often due to passport checks.

Thanks, everyone. Really great info!

Yes, I've checked in at the lounge for a BA flight ex-IAD a while back.

I was flying into IAD on UA who had through checked my bag despite being on separate itineraries. BA just wanted to see my passport and baggage receipt.

Shouldn't necessarily rely on being able to do this though, with some airlines the gate may not even be staffed until after the check in desks have closed

At some airports (unlikely to be the case here) gate check in is not possible as there are no boarding pass printers.

It works in Denver