Check-in times
Online check-in
You can check in online from 30 hours before departure – or 24 hours before departure for flights to or from the United States.
Partner airlines
If you’re flying with an airline other than KLM or Air France, you might not always be able to check in via our website, even if you booked via KLM.
Airport check-in
Want to wait until you’re at the airport before checking in? Please check your local airport’s website for possible information on the waiting times. You’ve got 2 options at the airport: checking in at a self-service kiosk or at the check-in desk.
Self-service kiosk
The quickest way to check in at the airport is to go to a self-service kiosk. You can find them near the check-in desks. Here, you can check in from 30 hours before departure – or 24 hours before departure for flights to or from the United States.
Note that at some airports, there are no self-service kiosks available.
Check-in desks: what you need to know
Prefer to check in at the desk and/or check in your baggage? Make sure you’re on time as there might be a queue. The regular opening hours of the check-in desks at most airports are:
- European flights: check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 40 minutes before departure.
- Intercontinental flights: check-in opens 3 hours before departure and closes 60 minutes before departure.
Departures from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and other airports
If your first flight is within Europe, we advise arriving at the airport 2 hours before the departure of your flight. Do you have an intercontinental flight? Please arrive at the airport no later than 3 hours before departure.
Please note: some airports may have different arrival time recommendations. Check your digital boarding pass for specific information regarding your airport's arrival time advice.
At Schiphol, can drop off your baggage in departure hall 1 between 04:30 AM and 08:00 PM. In departure hall 2, you can drop off your baggage between 04:30 AM and 10:00 PM. Please note: the closing time for drop-off is mentioned on your boarding pass.
Important check-in information
If your journey starts at a European airport and ends at an intercontinental destination, check-in opens 2 hours before departure.
Example: a flight from Helsinki to Los Angeles via Amsterdam? Since the journey starts in Europe, follow the European check-in time and arrive 2 hours before your first flight from Helsinki.
Note that at some international airports in particular, the check-in desks may close earlier. Please consult the official information available on the airport(s) that you’re travelling from, such as the airport website.
Need assistance?
In some cases, you cannot check in online or via the self-service kiosk. Please go to the check-in desks at the airport if you:
- requested assistance;
- are travelling with a pet;
- want to check in for an unaccompanied minor.
Check-in assistance at Schiphol
When departing Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, we recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours before the departure of your flight. Please go to the following check-in desks:
- Economy Class: desk 8 (Schengen countries) or desk 16 (non-Schengen countries)
- Business Class: desk 10 or 11
Frequently asked questions
At the airport, you can check in at one of the self-service kiosks or at the check-in desk.
Checking in with a self-service kiosk is possible from 30 hours before departure. Or 24 hours before departure for flights to or from the United States. Note that not all airports have self-service kiosks.
Checking in at a check-in desk is possible from a few hours before departure, depending on where you’re flying. Check-in desks close:
- 40 minutes before departure for European flights;
- 60 minutes before departure for intercontinental flights.
To check in at the airport, you need:
- your passport
- other required travel documents
- your booking code
Online check-in opens 30 hours before departure. Or, for flights to and from the United States, 24 hours before departure.
The check-in process itself only takes a few minutes. If it’s busy at the airport, you may have to account for queues for the check-in desks. Queues for self-service kiosks are often shorter, so you can save time by checking yourself in there!
At an airport with self-service kiosks, you can check in at a kiosk at least 24 hours before departure. Check-in desks open at 4:30am every morning, though the desks may not be staffed at all times.
Please note that check-in closes 40 minutes before departure for European flights and 60 minutes before departure for intercontinental flights.
Checking in online will save you time at the airport. However, to be on the safe side, we recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before departure if your first flight is within Europe and 3 hours before an intercontinental flight. This will give you enough time to drop off your baggage, pass through security and immigration (if applicable), and reach your gate without rushing.
Online and at the self-service kiosks, you can check in:
- 30 hours before European flights;
- 24 hours before flights to and from the United States.
Check-in desks close:
- 40 minutes before departure for European flights;
- 60 minutes before departure for intercontinental flights.