A silly travelling by plane question

[LemonChiffon]

I've not been on a plane for about 7 years, so I've forgotten some of how it all works!

If I have prebooked seats, and have luggage to put in the hold, is there any benefit to me in checking in online? Or is it just as easy to check in at desk with the luggage?

Thanks!

I don't think there's much in it personally...

Depends on the airline but most, I think, have just got a self service bag drop and no/costly check in with ground crew.

Definitely check in online, and print your boarding cards/load them onto your airline app before you leave home.

I can't remember the last time I checked in at the desk. Some airlines require online check in and will charge you if you do it at the desk, so be careful.

The biggest advantage of checking online is that you won't be left behind if there is overbooking.
Then now , many companies have a baggage drop desk or even - at least in Australia - a self check machines for luggage. The queue should be a lot shorter for those with online booking as all details such as passport numbers are already put by you.

Some airlines charge for desk check in.

Sometimes the desk check in only opens at X time before the flight, but you can drop bags whenever if you've already checked in online/using self service.

Thank you everyone!

Can I ask a follow up, even more silly, question?

If I have a change in an airport, so two flights to get to my destination, do I have to check into both flights with both airlines, or just the first one?

Thanks

Did you purchase tow separate tickets or is it part of a single reservation?

One single reservation

One check in should cover it, you should get two boarding cards and your bags should be transferred automatically if you are flying with the same airline. Lots of airlines have apps so you don't need to print anything.
An exception is flying into the US and then transferring, they make you collect your bags and recheck them, something I discovered the hard way when I failed to do this.

If two different airlines, it depends, sometimes they will send your luggage to final destination but you need to go at a transfer desk to receive second boarding card. Call the airlines so you know for sure.

The answer to both questions depends on the airline, so you need to read the airline website.

Generally, although there may be exceptions, if it's BA, KLM or another flag carrier, you can check in online or at the desk, both without charge, but be aware that these types of airlines routinely overbook, so if enough people check in online, you may get to the airport and find that there isn't a seat left for you. But you will only have to check in once for both legs.

On the other hand, if it's a budget airline, they may charge to check in at the airport, Ryanair does, I don't think Jet2 do, others maybe, maybe not and all your flights (4 of them, assuming that you're also coming back indirectly) are regarded as single flights, so you need to check in for all of them separately and it's probably best to do it all online and print your boarding pass or keep it on your phone if all the airports you are going through accept electronic boarding passes. But personally, I find it easier to keep track of a piece of paper rather than having to scroll through my phone and keep the battery charged to use it electronically.