Online check-in saves you 30—40 minutes at the airport and secures your chosen seat. It opens 24 hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before.
24 hours before departure, open your booking in your personal account, click “Check-in”, choose a seat, agree to the carriage rules — the boarding pass will arrive by email and in Apple Wallet. If your booking has a group fare or you’re flying with a child under 2, check-in is only available at the airport.
01 / WhenWhen check-in opens
The standard window is from 24 to 1.5 hours before departure. The exact time depends on the airline:
02 / HowSteps in the Sales.Travel account
We call the airline API directly — so checking in with us is faster than on their website. The same boarding pass, without two logins.
Open the booking 24 hours before
Log in to your account → “My trips” → click the flight you need. The “Check-in” button turns gold exactly 24 h before departure.
Choose your seat on the plane
A cabin map will open. Green seats are free, gold seats cost extra (by the window or with extra legroom). If you’re flying as a pair, the system will offer to seat you together automatically.
Confirm your passport and the rules
Check the document number — it must match the one you’ll travel with. Confirm there are no prohibited items in your carry-on (lithium-ion batteries, aerosols >100 ml).
Receive your boarding pass
In 5—15 seconds: a PDF to your email, a push to the mobile app, a card in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. No need to print — Sheremetyevo accepts the QR code from your screen.
03 / DocumentsWhich documents you need
- Domestic flights within Russia: Russian passport, birth certificate for children under 14.
- International: a foreign passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of return.
- Visa: if the destination country requires one. For the UAE — an eVisa or a visa on arrival.
- Border officer’s stamp: sometimes proof of your return is required.
04 / ChildrenChildren and infants
If a child is under 2 years old (infant) — no separate seat, held in your arms. Online check-in for such passengers often doesn’t work — you need to go to the desk to get a special tag and belt. Arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours early.
05 / If it won’t workCheck-in won’t open
- 01More than 24 hours until departure. The button will appear automatically.
- 02Group fare. If the booking has more than 9 passengers, check-in is only at the airport.
- 03The airline requires a visual document check. For example, Iran Air, Tatarstan, Air Koryo.
- 04Passport mismatch. Compare character by character. The problem is often a Latin “O” instead of “0”.
- 05Route with a connection and different airlines. Sometimes check-in is open only up to the first connection.
06 / At the airportWhen to arrive at the airport
- Domestic flights — 1 h 30 min before. Bag drop closes 40 min before, boarding 25 min before.
- International — 2 h 30 min before. Add 30 min for border control.
- Carry-on only — 1 h before for international, 45 min for domestic.
07 / FAQFrequently asked
Can I change my seat after online check-in?
Yes, until check-in closes — on the same screen, free of charge. After it closes — only at the desk, if a seat is available.
What if I lose my boarding pass?
Open the booking again and click “Download boarding pass” once more. The PDF is valid any number of times.
Is baggage checked in online?
No, baggage is still dropped at the Drop Off desk — they’ll check documents right there.
What if I’m bumped from the flight after online check-in?
The airline must provide an alternative flight or refund your money under EC 261 / the Air Code.