When flying with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), understanding how early you can check in helps ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience. SAS offers several convenient check-in options to accommodate different traveler needs, including online check-in, mobile app check-in, airport kiosks, and traditional check-in counters. The earliest and most popular method is online check-in, which opens 24 hours before your scheduled departure time and closes 1 hour prior to domestic flights and 2 hours before international flights. Passengers can check in easily by entering their booking reference or ticket number on the SAS website or mobile app. This allows travelers to select or change seats, confirm passenger details, and obtain a digital boarding pass that can be saved on a smartphone or printed. Online check-in is especially helpful for passengers traveling with only carry-on luggage, as it enables them to bypass airport check-in counters and proceed directly to security.

For those traveling with checked baggage, SAS’s online check-in still provides significant time savings. After completing online check-in, passengers can visit the designated baggage drop counters at the airport, which usually open 2 to 3 hours before the scheduled departure. SAS recommends arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow sufficient time for baggage drop, security screening, and reaching the gate. This is particularly important during busy travel seasons or at larger airports.

If you prefer to check in at the airport, SAS offers both self-service kiosks and full-service check-in counters. Self-service kiosks are user-friendly and available at most airports served by SAS. These kiosks allow passengers to check in, select or change seats, print boarding passes and baggage tags quickly, and avoid long queues. Kiosks generally open 2 to 3 hours before the flight and close 1 hour before domestic departures and 2 hours before international flights. Full-service counters staffed by SAS agents are ideal for travelers needing assistance, traveling with pets or oversized baggage, or those who prefer face-to-face service. These counters also open about 2 to 3 hours prior to departure and close according to the same deadlines as kiosks.

SAS maintains strict check-in and boarding deadlines to keep flights running on time. Check-in closes 60 minutes before domestic flights and 120 minutes before international flights. Boarding gates close approximately 20 minutes before the scheduled departure, and passengers must be present at the gate on time to avoid missing their flight. It is crucial to adhere to these timelines, even if you have completed check-in online, as failing to arrive at the gate on time can result in denied boarding.

In summary, SAS allows check-in to open 24 hours before the flight online and 2 to 3 hours prior at the airport through kiosks and counters. Arriving early and completing check-in within these time frames helps ensure a smooth start to your journey. By choosing the option that best fits your travel needs, whether online, mobile, kiosk, or counter, SAS offers flexibility and efficiency to make your trip comfortable and hassle-free.