Lufthansa check in opens online 30 hours before departure and airport desks usually open around 2–3 hours before, depending on route and airport.
When you fly with Lufthansa, timing your check in shapes how relaxed your departure feels. The big question many travelers ask is simple: “how early does lufthansa check in open?” The answer depends on where and how you check in, and on the type of trip you booked.
This article walks through Lufthansa check in opening times for the website, app, airport counters, kiosks, and late-night bag drop. You will also see suggested arrival times for different trip types so you can judge when to head for the airport without cutting it too close.
Lufthansa Check In Opening Times At A Glance
If you only want the numbers, this summary of Lufthansa check in opening times gives you the main ranges. Details and exceptions follow in later sections.
| Check In Method | When It Usually Opens | Typical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online (Website) | 30 hours before departure | Available for most Lufthansa operated flights; boarding pass can be saved to phone or printed. |
| Mobile App | 30 hours before departure | Same window as the website, handy for seat changes and mobile boarding passes. |
| Self-Service Kiosk | From airport opening until check in deadline | Often available from early morning; you still need to respect local cut off times. |
| Staffed Airport Counter | Usually 2–3 hours before departure | Exact opening varies by airport, first departure of the day, and cabin. |
| Intercontinental Flights | Often 3 hours or more before departure | Busy hubs may open counters earlier for long routes with extra checks. |
| Late-Night Bag Drop | Evening before, up to 23 hours before departure | Offered at selected airports; you check in online then drop bags the day before. |
| Codeshare Tickets | Based on operating airline rules | Lufthansa ticket with another airline operating the flight follows that airline’s times. |
Lufthansa now states that online check in is available from 30 hours before departure across its website and app, so that is the earliest point most travelers can lock in a boarding pass.
How Early Does Lufthansa Check In Open? Airport Counter Hours
The question “how early does lufthansa check in open?” often centers on airport counters. Counter hours vary by airport, local curfew, and the first and last Lufthansa departures that day, so there is no single worldwide opening time.
As a rough rule, staffed counters for short and medium haul flights tend to open around two hours before scheduled departure. At larger hubs with heavy traffic or early waves of flights, counters may open earlier, especially when long routes leave in clusters.
Short-Haul And Intra-Europe Flights
For many intra-Europe routes from cities such as Frankfurt, Munich, or Zurich, passengers see Lufthansa check in counters open roughly two hours before departure. Some airports tie counter opening to a fixed time, then state that this is at least two hours before the first morning flight.
Even when counters open later in the morning, self-service kiosks are often live from the start of the operational day, so travelers with only hand luggage can print boarding passes early and head straight to security once the area opens.
Long-Haul And Busy Departure Waves
For intercontinental flights to regions such as North America or Asia, Lufthansa ground teams often open counters three hours before departure, sometimes even earlier during peak seasons. These flights involve more document checks, so staff need more time to process each line.
When several long routes leave close together, staff may keep counters open in a block, so you may be able to check in for a later flight as soon as the desks open for the first one in that wave.
Lufthansa Check In Opening Time Online And On The App
Online and mobile options are where Lufthansa is most consistent. According to the carrier’s online check in page, you can check in from 30 hours before scheduled departure for most flights operated by Lufthansa itself.
This 30 hour window applies to both the main website and the Lufthansa app. When online check in opens, you can choose seats, enter passenger data, and generate a boarding pass in digital or printable form. If your trip has several Lufthansa segments on one ticket, check in usually covers the full itinerary starting from the first leg.
When Online Check In Closes
The question “how early does lufthansa check in open?” is only half the story. You also need a sense of when online check in ends. Exact closing times vary by airport and route, but a common pattern is a cut off between 40 and 60 minutes before departure.
Lufthansa runs a tool for check in deadlines and bag drop times. You enter departure airport, destination, and flight number, and the tool displays the precise cut off for that trip. Use that figure as a hard limit, then aim to finish online check in well before that time.
When You Cannot Use Online Check In
A few situations push you back to the counter even though online check in opens 30 hours before departure. These include some trips with unaccompanied minors, special medical clearances, and certain routes with extra document checks where staff must view original papers.
In those cases, the booking usually shows a note that online or mobile check in is unavailable. Plan to reach the airport early so staff can complete document checks while lines are shorter.
Late-Night Check In And Early Bag Drop
At selected airports in Germany and nearby countries, Lufthansa offers late-night check in. You complete online check in from 30 hours before departure, then use dedicated counters or kiosks to drop bags the evening before the flight, often up to 23 hours in advance.
Lufthansa describes this option on its late-night check in information pages as a way to avoid morning crowds. You turn up the night before, present passports and any visas, hand over bags, and receive boarding passes for the whole itinerary. Next morning you can go straight to security with only hand luggage.
Late-night bag drop tends to work best for early morning departures from busy hubs. If your flight leaves in the afternoon, the evening before may still qualify, but airports usually limit late-night bag drop to set hours, so always check local details.
When You Should Reach The Airport For Lufthansa Flights
Check in opening times are only part of planning a smooth departure. Security lines, border control queues, and airport layout also matter. This table gives suggested arrival times for different Lufthansa trip types so you can see how early to reach the terminal.
| Trip Type | Suggested Arrival Before Departure | Main Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen flight, hand luggage only | 90 minutes | Time for security and a short walk to the gate once online check in is complete. |
| Schengen flight with checked bags | 2 hours | Covers bag drop, security, and moderate queues at peak times. |
| Non-Schengen within Europe | 2.5 hours | Adds passport control to the steps above. |
| Long-haul economy | 3 hours | Lines at check in, passport control, and gate checks can build quickly. |
| Long-haul premium cabins | 2.5–3 hours | Priority lines help, yet extra time protects you from traffic or security delays. |
| Flights to the USA or Canada | 3 hours or more | Extra document checks and random interviews can slow the process. |
| Trips with pets or special items | 3–3.5 hours | Paperwork and inspection for animals, sports gear, or musical instruments. |
Lufthansa itself does not publish a single worldwide arrival guideline, yet many airports and travel advisers suggest at least two hours for European flights and three hours for long routes. If your airport is known for long queues, or if you travel during holiday peaks, add extra buffer.
Common Edge Cases And Special Situations
Not every Lufthansa trip fits the simple pattern of one ticket and one airline. A few extra scenarios matter when you plan how early to check in.
Codeshare Flights And Partner Airlines
If your ticket shows a Lufthansa flight number but another airline operates the plane, that partner’s check in rules apply. Online check in may open at a different time, sometimes 24 hours before departure instead of 30.
In that case, follow the instructions from the operating airline and use its website or app. At the airport, look for that airline’s counters while keeping your Lufthansa booking reference handy.
Groups And Families
Traveling as a group or with young children adds extra steps at check in, even when online check in opens 30 hours before the flight. Seats may need adjusting so adults sit close to children, and strollers or car seats add another layer when you reach the counter.
Groups often move more slowly through security and boarding. Add at least thirty minutes to the suggested arrival times in the table above so you can handle toilets, snacks, and last minute seat swaps without pressure.
Passengers Needing Extra Assistance
Travelers who use wheelchairs, mobility aids, or medical devices should plan to reach the airport on the early side of the ranges listed. Extra steps such as lift assistance, document checks for medicines, or special seating take time to arrange.
When you request assistance in advance through your booking, Lufthansa teams coordinate with airport staff. Arriving early helps those teams match your schedule to the services they planned.
Practical Timeline Example For A Lufthansa Flight
To make these numbers easier to picture, here is a sample timeline for a Lufthansa passenger leaving Frankfurt on a long-haul flight at 14:00.
30 Hours To 4 Hours Before Departure
From 08:00 the day before departure, online and mobile check in open. You can confirm seats, add frequent flyer details, scan travel documents where needed, and download or print your boarding pass. If you plan to use late-night bag drop, this is the point where you complete digital check in first.
Evening Before Departure
If Frankfurt offers late-night bag drop for your route, you may be able to visit the airport the evening before, drop checked bags, and clear document checks. This turns the day of travel into a lighter experience where you only carry hand luggage.
Travel Day: 3 Hours Before Departure
Around 11:00 on the day of travel, aim to arrive at the airport. Counters for long-haul flights usually open by this point, so you can clear bag drop, passport control, and security with time to spare. If lines are short, you have more time near the gate for food, restrooms, or a short walk.
Travel Day: 60 Minutes Before Departure
At the one hour mark, online check in is usually closed and bag drop deadlines are near or already passed. Gate agents prepare paperwork, check loads, and deal with standby passengers. Treat this point as the time when you already sit near the gate with documents ready.
Travel Day: 30 Minutes Before Departure
Boarding for many Lufthansa flights begins around this time. Late comers who reach the gate now may still be accepted, yet anything later creates a real risk of missing the flight even with a boarding pass in hand.
When you put all of this together, the earliest Lufthansa check in opening for most travelers is 30 hours before departure through the website or app. Airport counters tend to open between two and three hours before take off, with long routes gaining extra time. If you plan around those windows and add enough buffer for lines, you give yourself a calm start to the trip.