Checking in for international flight at gate?
Mar 16, 2017 | 2:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 141
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?
Mar 16, 2017 | 2:29 pm
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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Posts: 16,593
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.
Mar 16, 2017 | 3:54 pm
#3
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
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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.
Mar 16, 2017 | 6:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
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Posts: 2,361
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.
Mar 17, 2017 | 10:45 am
#6
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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.
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.
May 27, 2019 | 8:06 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1
It works in Denver
I was just able to head straight to the gate in Denver for a Norwegian flight to Paris. I had flown from Chicago on a separate ticket and that flight was delayed by four hours. I didnt have time to exit and check in at the counter in Denver so headed straight to the gate. They took my passport and issued me a boarding pass as if it was the check in counter. Hooray!