Cathay Pacific Check-In Policy

Does Cathay Pacific Have a Check-in Policy?

You can save ample amounts of time before you board your flight. All you have to do is check-in online and receive your boarding pass digitally. Cathay Pacific offers seamless and convenient check-in facility to customers for better flight experience. Cathay Pacific check in offers flexible and easy check-in options. 

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, more widely known as Cathay Pacific is the largest  carrier of Hong Kong with its head office in Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, Cathay Pacific Airlines operates 190 destinations in more than 60 countries worldwide as of December 2021.  

How Can I Check-in For Cathay Pacific Flights?

Cathay Pacific offers a flexible check-in policy through which travellers can ensure their presence in the flight without any hassle. 

• Cathay Pacific flight is available between 48 hours to 90 minutes before the scheduled flight departure. 
• For flights to/from Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco or New York, the check-in time starts 24 hours to 1.5 hours before scheduled departure. 
• As per Cathay Pacific check in policy, passengers can choose their seats, pre order diet specific meals and purchase additional baggage from the online web check-in option.
• In case connecting flights, Cathay Pacific check in allows passengers to submit their bags for both flights at once and drops the baggage at the passengers final destination. 
• Passengers travelling on Cathay Pacific can check-in for their flight via website, mobile app or through airport kiosk and at the counter. 

How Do I Check-in Online For Cathay Pacific Flight?

The online check-in method offers passengers the flexibility to check-in and select their desired seat from the comfort of their home. Moreover, it also offers a customer-friendly experience which makes the journey better. 

• Online method for Cathay Pacific online check in is only available for flights operated by Cathay Pacific. However, exceptions apply to codeshare and charter flights of other airlines.
• For the majority of Cathay Pacific flights, you can check-in 48 hours to 90 minutes before scheduled flight departure. 
• For flights to/from destinations in the US like Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, or New York, you can check-in 24 hours to 1 hour before the scheduled flight departure. 

How to Check-in Through a Website ?

It is fairly easy to check-in via Cathay Pacific website, all you need to do is follow the below steps. 

• Login to Cathay Pacific official website. 
• Navigate through the website to check-in Cathay Pacific through “Manage Booking”. 
• Insert your reservation number, flight number and last name. 
• Choose the “Check-in tab. 
• Confirm your desired seat selection, purchase additional baggage, reserve a special meal. 
• Lastly, you can confirm check-in to receive their boarding pass online. 

How to Check-in Through Mobile Application?

• Download the Cathay Pacific mobile app from the Apple/IOS App store.
• Login to the app with your credentials to access the flight reservation. 
• Insert your flight number, reservation ID, and last name. 
• Tap to select the flight segment that you want to check-in in case of connecting flight itinerary. 
• After choosing your flight, adhere to the on-screen instructions to check-in. 
• Choose your desired seats, purchase baggage and pre-order a special meal. 
• Confirm the Cathay Pacific check in and download the digital boarding pass. 

Perks of Online Check-in 

To minimise hassle at the airport while at the same time saving time, passengers can use the online check-in Cathay Pacific. Apart from saving time, there are several other perks of online check-in. 

• You can change your seat and reserve another seat within the flight. 
• You can add and pay your checked-in bags online also. 
• Also, passengers can apply for same day flight change from the online check-in method. However, once checked-in to the flight, the airline does not allow any changes. 
• Passengers can also print their boarding pass at home after online Cathay Pacific check in to avoid peak rush hour time at the airport counter. 

Exception to Web-Check-in 

There are some instances where customers cannot check-in via online method and must check-in at the airport. 

• Passengers will have to web check in Cathay Pacific directly at the airport if the flight is operated by a codeshare partner. 
• Passengers with unconfirmed booking cannot check-in online. 
• Unaccompanied minors are not eligible to do check-in online and must check-in directly at the airport. 
• The online check-in facility is not available at airports outside the US. 
• Passengers with special needs also have to check-in at the airport. 
• Passengers travelling with pets also have to check-in at the airport.

How Check-in in Cathay Pacific Self-Service Kiosk?

Passengers who haven’t completed the web or app Cathay Pacific check in, can still check-in and get their boarding pass at the airport. Once you reach the airport, go straight to the self-service check-in kiosk and skip long queues. 

Who Can Use Self-Service Kiosk Check-in?

• The self-service kiosk can be used by unaccompanied minors.
• Passengers with special medical care can also use airport kiosks. 
• Passengers travelling in a group can also check-in at the airport kiosk. 

Follow below steps to check-in swiftly for your Cathay Pacific flight. 

• Access your reservation by inserting your reservation number and last name. 
• Choose the flight that you need to check-in.
• Using the interactive seat map and choose the seat of your choice.
• Lastly, confirm Cathay Pacific check in and print your Cathay Pacific boarding pass. 

Is Airport Check-in Available For Cathay Pacific?

Passengers who are unable to access any of the above options can check-in directly at the airport. The airline advises passengers to reach the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure to check-in and collect your boarding pass timely. 

• Upon reaching the airport, visit the Cathay Pacific counter to proceed with check-in. 
• Review all the details of your reservation such as name, reservation number and flight timing. 
• Provide the Cathay Pacific staff with all necessary information.
• Upon check-in, collect your physical boarding pass. 
• Arrive at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before the flight scheduled departure as per Cathay Pacific flight check-in. 

How To Check-in For International Flights?

Passengers travelling to international destinations should follow specific guidelines to check-in for their flight. In case if a passenger fails to adhere to the guidelines, then the passenger will be denied boarding.

• All passengers must have a valid passport before travelling to avoid any inconvenience. 
• Certain countries require airlines to collect API (Advance passengers information) thus passengers should fill this form with accurate information. 
• The airline advises the passengers to reach the airport at least 3 hours before their scheduled departure of international flight. 
• Always carry a medical certificate as a proof for fitness as some countries may require medical proof.  

Cathay Pacific Check-in Time For Different Destinations

Cathay Pacific check in time varies as per different departure airports and thus it is advised to check the timing carefully prior to your schedule. 

How to Obtain a Cathay Pacific Boarding Pass? 

Cathay Pacific offers travellers to obtain their boarding pass through their online method or can collect the same from the airport counter. 

• After completing your online check-in, you can download the boarding pass digitally and can get it printed at your home. 
• Also, passengers who have completed check-in Cathay Pacific through a mobile app can download their boarding pass digitally. This digital boarding pass also features QR code that can be scanned during boarding. However, this digital boarding card is acceptable at selective airports. 
• The airline does not accept digital boarding passes if the passengers are connecting flights through airports other than Hong Kong. 
• Passengers have the same day return flight or flights within 24 hours have to board with a physical boarding pass. 
• Passengers travelling with infant and unaccompanied minors have to collect a physical boarding pass from the counter.

Is Online Check-in Available For All Cathay Pacific Flights?

Online check-in is available for all Cathay Pacific flights and its codeshare flights. However, exceptions are chartered flights, trains, and codeshare flights operated by Cathay Pacific’s partner carriers.

Why Can’t I See My Flights For Check-in?

In case you are not holding an e-ticket, you may not see your reservations online. For tickets purchased online via Cathay Pacific’s website, you need to wait for at least 30 minutes before the booking is activated within its online check-in system. If your flight is not departing within 24 hours, you may not be able to initiate the check-in process. However, Cathay Pacific members can check-in 48 hours prior to their departure.