If you don’t check in 24 hours before your flight, you might face several issues that could affect your travel experience and even cause you to miss your flight entirely. Many airlines open their check-in windows exactly 24 hours before departure, especially for domestic and international flights, giving passengers a chance to confirm their travel details, select seats, and receive boarding passes in advance. Failing to check in during this time frame may not automatically cancel your flight, but it can lead to complications. One of the first risks is that you may lose access to preferred seating or have limited seat availability, as many travelers select their seats early through online check-in. If the flight is overbooked or nearly full, passengers who do not check in early may be moved to standby or risk being denied boarding. This is particularly common with budget airlines and during peak travel seasons. Additionally, not checking in ahead of time means you must check in at the airport, which can involve longer lines, unexpected delays, and a higher chance of missing the check-in cutoff time. Most airlines close airport check-in counters 30 to 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 to 90 minutes before for international flights. If you arrive at the airport after the cut-off time without having checked in, you may not be allowed to board, even if you are holding a confirmed ticket. Some low-cost carriers may also charge extra fees for passengers who do not check in online in advance. Another downside is the missed opportunity to correct errors or provide additional travel documentation. Online check-in allows passengers to verify names, travel dates, passport details, and visa requirements. If there’s an issue with your travel documents and you wait until arriving at the airport to discover it, you may not have time to resolve the problem before your flight leaves. Also, many airlines send real-time flight updates, gate changes, or important notifications only after check-in is completed, so skipping this step may cause you to miss important information. Furthermore, travelers with only carry-on baggage who check in online can go straight to security and boarding, saving valuable time. Those without check-in may need to go through additional verification steps. In some cases, if you do not check in and miss your flight entirely, the airline may consider it a no-show and cancel the rest of your itinerary, including return or connecting flights, without a refund. Rebooking may come with added charges or fare differences. In conclusion, failing to check in 24 hours before your flight can result in fewer seat choices, longer wait times, extra fees, missed flights, and loss of travel benefits. To avoid unnecessary stress and ensure a smooth journey, it is always recommended to check in as soon as the window opens. This simple action helps secure your seat, save time at the airport, and receive all necessary updates for a hassle-free travel experience.