"For your comfort, we already checked you in"

[Mattg]

Well this is something I haven't seen before...

I'm flying tomorrow (in just under 24 hours) with TAP Air Portugal. I just got an email with the subject "Your boarding pass confirmation", which I thought seemed a bit strange as I haven't actually checked in yet for my flights. Seems TAP did it for me.



The email is legit - it came from TAP and contains a working link to my boarding passes.

Having a look now, the TAP website also has a page about this:

Automatic check-in

TAP can handle your check-in for you. Save time.

www.flytap.com

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I'm not sure how it's "convenient" for me that the airline would check me in automatically, without my consent? Luckily, I am indeed planning to travel tomorrow and just hadn't got around to checking in online yet.

Has anyone seen this before with other airlines?

 

[SYD]

SQ has an “auto-checkin” option but it defaults to ”No”.

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/travel-info/check-in/auto-checkin/

 

[Mattg]

SQ has an “auto-checkin” option but it defaults to ”No”.

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/travel-info/check-in/auto-checkin/

Yeah, this is the part that I find strange. Surely you should at least have to opt-in?

 

[drron]

Interesting. I am considering flying with them next year FRA - OPO.

 

[dk4]

Some airlines have done-away with check in altogether, you become "checked-in" as soon as your ticket purchase is confirmed. I mean, even easyJet opens check-in 30 days before the flight, so the whole idea of "checking-in" is really redundant.

Functionally, I imagine that removing the dual processing of failing-to-check-in and failing-to-board (which may occur a mere 20 minutes apart) is relevant where an airline doesn't experience a large amount of overbooking, flight changes, governmental paper-work penalties, no-shows, and stand-bys - then the cost of having a check-in process, presumably out-weighs the benefits of it... just go straight to bag drop (or security, if HLO).

 

[Thibault]

Delta checked me in automatically on domestic flights across 4 different PNRs and flights. I found it interesting.

 

[drron]

@Mattg how was the flight.I am considering TAP for our FRA - OPO next year.

 

[drron]

Just got my reminder for SQ flight in 5 days time. This is becoming widespread.

Turn on auto check-in

We realise there is a lot to remember these days. To ease your burden, turn on auto check-in and you will be automatically checked in 48 hours before your flight departs.

 

[Mattg]

@Mattg how was the flight.I am considering TAP for our FRA - OPO next year.

It was pretty good, although I happened to be on an A321LR with lie-flat J seats. This isn’t the norm on intra-Europe flights!

I’ll write a review soon.

 

[Mattg]

@Mattg how was the flight.I am considering TAP for our FRA - OPO next year.

Just to follow up - I've now done a few more flights with TAP in both Y and J.

The J service on mid-length flights is pretty good. Although, on my LIS-FAO flight last week, the only inflight service in J was a glass of water.

In Y, it's a basic no-frills product. All food/drinks except water need to be paid for, and there is no in-flight entertainment or wifi of any sort.

The TAP crews have been quite hit-and-miss. On my PDL-LIS flight yesterday, for example, I thought the crew was quite lazy. E.g. when they were preparing the cabin for landing, I tried to pass them the rubbish that they hadn't collected from my food purchase at the start of the flight and the flight attendant flat-out refused to take it. "Just put in in the seat pocket", she said.

A quick tip if you're flying Y on TAP. The up-front seats in Y are marketed as "Economy Xtra" and come with extra legroom and a power outlet. TAP charges extra to select these seats, so they are often empty while the seats up the back are completely filled. But around 65 minutes before departure, you can move to an empty Economy Xtra seat for free by asking at the lounge or at the gate.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

TAP isn't the only airline that does this, ANA also does automatic check-in and I reckon some other airlines likely use this technology. It's not a bad idea I'd say, the only point where it could suck is if you aren't sure if you are taking that flight and want to leave the flight in the unchecked state to make switching flights easier. I suppose another issue would be if you can only select seats at check-in, then having the system automatically check you in and select for you a middle seat could suck.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Mattg]

I suppose another issue would be if you can only select seats at check-in, then having the system automatically check you in and select for you a middle seat could suck.

-RooFlyer88

TAP will let you change your assigned seat after check-in... for a fee of around €21

(Again, no charge applies within 65 minutes or so of departure.)