Before you fly

Planning a trip is more than simply booking a flight. Before you travel, taking a few minutes to check your ticket details, baggage allowance, travel documents, airport information and airline requirements can help you avoid unexpected costs, delays and inconvenience.

Airlines may apply different rules depending on the route, fare type, destination and passenger. The information below provides a general guide to help you prepare for your journey.

## 1. Check Your Flight Details

After booking your ticket, carefully review your itinerary and make sure all passenger and flight information is correct.

Check:

* Passenger name as shown on the travel document
* Flight number
* Departure and arrival airports
* Travel date
* Departure and arrival time
* Booking reference / PNR
* Cabin class
* Number of passengers
* Connecting flights, if applicable

Pay particular attention to airports with multiple terminals or airports serving the same city. Your ticket may show an airport code rather than the full airport name.

If you notice an error in your passenger name or other important booking information, contact the booking agency or airline as soon as possible. Name correction and ticket-change policies vary by airline and fare type.

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## 2. Understand Your Fare Conditions

Not all tickets with the same cabin class have the same conditions.

For example, two Economy Class tickets may have different prices and different rules regarding:

* Changes
* Cancellations
* Refunds
* No-show
* Rebooking
* Seat selection
* Baggage
* Upgrade eligibility
* Mileage or loyalty-program benefits

Before completing your booking, review the **fare conditions** associated with your specific ticket.

### What is a Fare Basis Code?

A **Fare Basis Code** is a combination of letters and/or numbers used by airlines to identify a particular fare and its associated conditions.

The first letter often corresponds to a booking class, but the meaning of the complete code is determined by the individual airline.

Common examples may include:

| Booking Class                         | Common Cabin Association         |
| ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| F / A                                 | First Class                      |
| J / C / D / I / Z                     | Business Class                   |
| W                                     | Premium Economy on some airlines |
| Y / B / M / H                         | Economy Class on many airlines   |
| K / L / Q / V / T / U / X / N / O / S | Various discounted Economy fares |

**Important:** These are general industry examples only. Airlines may use the same letter differently, and a booking class does not by itself determine all ticket conditions.

Your **Fare Basis Code** may appear on your e-ticket, itinerary or ticket receipt.

When checking your ticket, always rely on the fare conditions provided for your specific booking rather than interpreting the code alone.

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## 3. Check Your Baggage Allowance

Baggage allowance can vary significantly between airlines, routes and fare types.

Before travelling, check both your **checked baggage allowance** and **cabin baggage allowance**.

### Checked Baggage

Your ticket may specify baggage by:

* Weight, such as 20 kg, 23 kg or 30 kg; or
* Piece, such as 1 piece or 2 pieces.

Some fares may include no checked baggage.

Also check the airline's rules regarding:

* Maximum weight per individual bag
* Maximum dimensions
* Number of permitted pieces
* Excess baggage charges
* Special baggage

### Cabin Baggage

Cabin baggage restrictions generally include limits on:

* Number of bags
* Weight
* Dimensions

A small personal item such as a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack may be treated differently depending on the airline.

Because baggage policies differ between airlines and fare types, always check the allowance shown on your ticket or the applicable airline's baggage policy before travelling.

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## 4. Check Your Travel Documents

Make sure you have all documents required for your journey.

Depending on your destination, you may need:

* Passport
* Visa
* Residence permit
* Transit visa
* Entry permit
* Return or onward ticket
* Travel insurance
* Other destination-specific documents

Check that your passport is valid for the required period. Some countries require a minimum period of passport validity beyond the date of entry.

Visa and entry requirements can also depend on your **nationality, destination, transit point and purpose of travel**.

Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the required travel documents before departure.

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## 5. Check Your Transit and Connecting Flights

If your itinerary includes a connection, check the details carefully.

Consider:

* Whether you need to change terminals
* Minimum connection time
* Whether you need to collect and re-check baggage
* Whether immigration or security screening is required during transit
* Whether a transit visa is required
* Whether your connecting flight departs from the same airport

For separate tickets booked independently, the airlines may treat each journey as a separate booking. In such cases, you may need additional time to collect baggage, check in again and pass through immigration or security.

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## 6. Check In Before Your Flight

Many airlines offer online or mobile check-in before departure.

Online check-in may allow you to:

* Confirm your passenger information
* Select or change a seat, where available
* Obtain a boarding pass
* Save time at the airport

Check-in opening and closing times vary by airline, airport and route.

Some passengers or itineraries may still require document verification at the airport even after completing online check-in.

Always check the airline's instructions for your specific flight.

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## 7. Choose or Confirm Your Seat

Seat selection rules vary between airlines and fare types.

Depending on the airline, you may be able to:

* Select a seat during booking
* Select a seat after booking
* Select a seat during online check-in
* Request a preferred seat at the airport

Some seats may require an additional fee.

Seat assignments can also be changed by the airline for operational, safety or aircraft-related reasons.

If sitting together is important, especially when travelling with children, consider selecting seats in advance where this service is available.

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## 8. Check Special Requirements

If you require special assistance, inform the airline or your booking agent as early as possible.

This may include:

* Wheelchair assistance
* Special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility
* Travelling with an infant
* Travelling with children
* Pregnancy-related travel requirements
* Medical equipment
* Special meals
* Assistance for elderly passengers
* Assistance for passengers with disabilities

Airlines may require advance notice or supporting documentation for certain services.

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## 9. Travelling With Infants and Children

Travelling with children may involve different ticketing, baggage and seating rules.

Before departure, check:

* Infant and child fare conditions
* Required travel documents
* Baggage allowance
* Stroller and car-seat policies
* Seat assignment
* Unaccompanied-minor requirements, if applicable

Rules can differ depending on the child's age and the airline.

If you are travelling with an infant, confirm whether the infant will travel on an adult's lap or require a separate seat, and check the applicable airline requirements.

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## 10. Check Airport and Terminal Information

Before leaving for the airport, confirm:

* Airport name and airport code
* Terminal
* Check-in area
* Departure time
* Recommended airport arrival time
* Transportation and traffic conditions

Airport terminals can change, and some airports have long distances between terminals or gates.

For international flights, allow sufficient time for check-in, baggage drop, immigration and security procedures.

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## 11. Understand Changes, Cancellations and Refunds

Before travelling, keep a copy of your ticket and fare conditions.

If your plans change, the cost of changing or cancelling a ticket may depend on:

* Fare type
* Airline
* Route
* Time remaining before departure
* No-show status
* Ticket conditions
* Availability of the new flight

A ticket advertised at a lower price may have more restrictive conditions.

Before requesting a change or cancellation, check the applicable fare rules and any airline or service fees.

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## 12. Avoid Missing Your Flight

Arrive at the airport with enough time to complete all required procedures.

Keep in mind that you may need time for:

1. Check-in
2. Baggage drop-off
3. Immigration
4. Security screening
5. Walking to the departure gate

Boarding gates may close before the scheduled departure time.

If you are travelling during peak periods, public holidays or busy travel seasons, allow additional time for airport and road congestion.

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## 13. Keep Important Information Accessible

Before travelling, keep your important travel information easily accessible.

We recommend saving:

* E-ticket / itinerary
* Booking reference
* Passport details
* Visa or entry documents
* Travel insurance information
* Hotel reservation
* Airport transfer information
* Airline contact information
* Emergency contact details

A digital copy stored on your phone can be useful, but keeping important documents available offline is also recommended in case you have limited internet access.

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## 14. Before Leaving for the Airport – Quick Checklist

Use this simple checklist before your journey:

☐ Passport and required travel documents
☐ Visa / entry requirements checked
☐ Flight date and departure time confirmed
☐ Airport and terminal confirmed
☐ Passenger names checked
☐ Baggage allowance checked
☐ Fare conditions reviewed
☐ Online check-in completed, if available
☐ Seat confirmed, if applicable
☐ Special assistance arranged, if required
☐ Connecting-flight requirements checked
☐ Hotel and onward transportation confirmed
☐ E-ticket and booking reference saved
☐ Sufficient time allowed to reach the airport

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## Important Information

Airline policies, fares, baggage allowances, check-in procedures and travel requirements may vary by airline, route, fare type, airport and passenger circumstances.

The information provided on this page is intended as a **general travel guide** and does not replace the specific conditions applicable to your ticket or the official requirements of the relevant airline, airport or government authority.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, passengers should check the applicable airline's fare conditions, baggage policy, check-in requirements and destination entry regulations before travelling.
ThaiFlightCentre is an independent travel agency providing flight booking, travel and related services. We are not the official website of any airline. Airline names, trademarks and logos belong to their respective owners.