Some airlines do their utmost to make the check-in stage easier and quicker for travellers. Here are a few examples.
Air France offers the possibility of choosing your seat in advance (from 24 hours and up to 30 minutes before the check-in deadline) using an interactive voice service (Tel.: 0897 650 820). You must travel without baggage and have an electronic ticket (except USA and Algeria). Online check-in is also available (www.airfrance.fr) between 24 hours and 30 minutes before the check-in deadline.
Lufthansa allows passengers to check in the day before their flight at 14 German airports. Running late at the airport? In the bus or taxi, passengers can now send an SMS (form to be filled in beforehand on lufthansa.fr) or make a phone call (Tel.: 0826 103 334, in Paris) to block their seat. To take advantage of this service, you must have an e-ticket, be a first or business passenger and/or be a member of the frequent flyer programme.
British Airways is offering online check-in and seat selection from 24 hours before departure (www.britishairways.com). This applies to all passengers, even those with baggage and/or paper tickets. The site displays a map of the aircraft: simply click on the vacant seat you require.
KLM allows passengers with an e-ticket to check in online (www.klm.com). Or by telephone (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) for all passengers departing from the Netherlands (Tel.: 0900 649 00 00) and the UK (Tel.: 08 705 074 074), from 30 hours and up to one hour before the flight (40 minutes for European flights).
