When Can You Check In for a Jetstar Flight?

Jetstar opens online check-in for domestic and international flights up to 48 hours before departure.

If you’re travelling on a domestic or an eligible international flight, you can check-in online and receive your boarding pass before you even arrive at the airport. But if you have a checked bag, you’ll need to drop this at the airport before you clear security.

If you’re travelling on a Jetstar (JQ) international flight to Korea, China or the USA, or from Vietnam, you’ll also need to visit the airport check-in counters to show your travel documents and receive your boarding pass – even if you’re travelling with hand luggage only. According to some AFF members, this may also be required for some flights to other international destinations if Jetstar’s web check-in doesn’t work.

Unlike Qantas and Virgin Australia, Jetstar’s airport check-in and bag drop times are quite restrictive…

Bag drop times for Jetstar domestic flights

For domestic flights, Jetstar only accepts checked bags between two hours and 40 minutes before departure.

This unfortunately means that if you arrive at the airport more than two hours before your flight, you might have to wait until Jetstar opens check-in before you can drop your bag/s. The reason for this is that Jetstar, as a budget carrier, only has limited space available to store bags before loading them onto aircraft.

Bag drop times for Jetstar international flights

Jetstar opens its international check-in counters between three hours and one hour before departure.

If you arrive more than three hours before your Jetstar international flight, and want to check-in early, this might be possible… but only if the Jetstar counters are already open for another international flight at that time.

Early check-in at Singapore Changi Airport

There is an exception for Jetstar international flights (including Jetstar Asia) departing from Changi Airport in Singapore. At this airport, Jetstar offers early check-in up to 12 hours before departure at the Jewel Changi Airport.

The Jewel Early Check-In counters are open daily from 8am until midnight, so you could even check-in the night before if you have an early morning departure.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to more than 100 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.