Recommended Online Check-in Time Before Flight

When does online check-in open?

Most airlines open online check-in somewhere between 24 and 48 hours before departure. In Brazil the exact window depends on who you're flying: LATAM opens it 48 hours out, Gol as much as 72 hours, and Azul around 36 hours. Get in the moment it opens and you can still grab a free standard seat. Basic Economy fares charge for seat selection, but on standard fares those seats stay free as long as you're early. Online check-in normally closes 1 hour before an international flight and 40-60 min before a domestic one.

Example: a 09:00 LATAM flight out of CGH opens online check-in at 09:00 the day before (T-24h). Show up right at that moment and you usually have the pick of the good free seats — window or aisle, away from the last row — before the rest of the cabin claims them.

Applications

Think business travel where every minute matters: skipping the counter shaves 20-40 min off a peak-hour airport run. It also keeps you out of the queues at big hubs like GRU or GIG over Christmas, Carnival or the July school break. Loyalty travelers (LATAM Pass, Smiles, TudoAzul) use it to lock in a seat that matches their elite-tier perks. And there's the overbooking angle: passengers who've already checked in are the last ones to get bumped.

FAQ

Can I still check in at the counter after doing it online? Only reason to is dropping off checked bags. Traveling carry-on? Head straight to security.

Do I have to pay to choose a seat? On Basic Economy / Light fares, yes, even when you do it online. On standard Economy fares the regular seats cost nothing; you only pay for extra legroom or the front rows.

What if the app shows "check-in unavailable"? Nine times out of ten the window simply hasn't opened yet. The other case is a booking flagged for an agent — an infant on the reservation, special assistance, a last-minute reissue — which has to be handled at the counter.

Is online check-in mandatory? No, though some low-cost carriers tack on a fee if you check in at the airport instead. Read the fare conditions before you assume it's free.