Opens 30 hours before · closes 90 minutes before
Etihad online check-in
The exact window, the process step by step, and what to have at hand before you confirm.
Checked in? Now skip the security queue
The Etihad check-in window
Opens
30 hours
before departure, on the Etihad site or app
Check-in possible
Closes
90 minutes
before departure — after that, it is the airport desk
Too late online
Departure
Take-off
Be at the gate as instructed by the airline
How to check in with Etihad
- 1
Wait for it to open, 30 hours before departure
Before that point Etihad issues no boarding pass: the booking exists, but check-in is refused.
- 2
Have your booking reference ready
Six characters, in your confirmation email. The name you enter must match your passport or ID exactly — no nicknames, no abbreviations.
- 3
Settle bag and seat before confirming
Hold luggage added after check-in often costs more, and the seat can no longer be changed free of charge once the pass is issued.
- 4
Take the boarding pass offline
Add it to your Wallet or download the PDF: terminal networks saturate at peak hours. Online check-in closes 90 minutes before departure.
Checked in online? Security is still ahead
Fast Track takes you through security in a dedicated lane. Bookable online at these airports Etihad flies from.
All Fast Track airportsFrequently asked questions
When does Etihad online check-in open?+
It opens 30 hours before scheduled departure: for a 10:00 AM flight, check-in opens the day before at 4:00 AM. Before that, Etihad does not yet issue a boarding pass.
How late can you check in with Etihad?+
Online check-in closes 90 minutes before departure. After that you have to use the Etihad desk at the airport.
How do I get my Etihad boarding pass?+
It is issued at the end of online check-in, on the Etihad website or app. Add it to your phone’s Wallet or download the PDF so you have it without signal at security and at the gate.
Can I check in at the airport with Etihad?+
Yes, at the Etihad desk at the airport — and it is the only option once online check-in has closed, 90 minutes before departure. The desk also closes before boarding, at a time that depends on the airport and destination: it is shown in your booking.
Do I still go to the desk with a checked bag on Etihad?+
Yes: online check-in doesn’t replace bag drop. Checked bags go to the Etihad bag drop desk before the cut-off shown in your booking. With cabin baggage only and the boarding pass on your phone, you go straight to security.
When should I get to the airport when flying Etihad?+
Follow the reporting time Etihad gives in your booking. Checked in online with no hold bag, what counts is the security queue: it varies widely by airport and time of day, and it’s where Fast Track saves the most time.
What happens if I forget to check in?+
You are not denied boarding, but check-in moves to the airport desk. Depending on the airline it is free or charged, and it means arriving earlier.
Is Etihad online check-in free?+
Yes. Online check-in is free on Etihad, as on nearly every airline. What gets charged are the extras — seat, bag, desk check-in.
Does SkyEntry check in for me?+
No: only the airline issues a boarding pass, and no service can guarantee otherwise. SkyEntry alerts you the moment check-in opens for your flight, with the direct link — you confirm in one tap.
Never miss a check-in opening again
SkyEntry membership alerts you when check-in opens, tracks the flight, and opens fast track and lounges in over 200 airports.