Check-in guide
LATAM Check-In: Automatic Check-In, Deadlines and Airport Arrival Times
Flying LATAM soon? This guide explains when check-in opens, how automatic check-in works and when you still need to confirm your details, how early LATAM recommends arriving at each airport, and what to do if check-in fails, including on Qantas, Delta and agency tickets.
In short: LATAM opens check-in 48 hours before departure and checks many passengers in automatically if their details are complete. If details are missing, check in yourself; LATAM's help centre says up to 2 hours before departure. Arrive three hours before most international flights, or four hours from listed US airports and for international flights from Santiago.
Written by Marshall Jones, co-founder of Catchaflight
Published Last updated
How LATAM automatic check-in works
LATAM's help centre explains that automatic check-in depends on where you bought the ticket, the type of flight and whether your details are complete.
- Bought on latam.com, domestic flights in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador or Peru
- Nothing extra. Check-in happens automatically 48 hours before departure
- Bought on latam.com, international flights
- Confirm your trip details after purchase. If confirmed before the 48-hour window, check-in is automatic
- Bought through a travel agency or another website
- Confirm your details in My Trips on latam.com or the app; check-in is then completed automatically 48 hours before the trip
- Several flights in one itinerary
- Confirm details for the first flight; later flights are checked in automatically 48 hours before each departure
- Bought on latam.com, domestic flights within Chile, from 1 September 2026
- Automatic if your details and documents are already up to date in your LATAM account; otherwise confirm your documents on the website or app after purchase
| Booking | What you need to do |
|---|---|
| Bought on latam.com, domestic flights in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador or Peru | Nothing extra. Check-in happens automatically 48 hours before departure |
| Bought on latam.com, international flights | Confirm your trip details after purchase. If confirmed before the 48-hour window, check-in is automatic |
| Bought through a travel agency or another website | Confirm your details in My Trips on latam.com or the app; check-in is then completed automatically 48 hours before the trip |
| Several flights in one itinerary | Confirm details for the first flight; later flights are checked in automatically 48 hours before each departure |
| Bought on latam.com, domestic flights within Chile, from 1 September 2026 | Automatic if your details and documents are already up to date in your LATAM account; otherwise confirm your documents on the website or app after purchase |
If your details are missing, LATAM's help centre says you'll need to complete check-in yourself up to 2 hours before departure. Automatic check-in still needs checking: confirm your travel details and that a boarding pass has actually been issued.
For LATAM fares, Premium Business and South American connections, see our LATAM Airlines flights guide.
How early to reach the airport for a LATAM flight
- Most airports, including Sydney and Melbourne
- International: 3 hours
- Domestic: 2 hours
- US: New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Boston
- International: 4 hours
- Domestic: Not applicable
- Santiago, Chile
- International: 4 hours
- Domestic: 3 hours (4 hours to Easter Island)
- Easter Island
- International: Not applicable
- Domestic: 3 hours to Santiago
- Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín, Colombia
- International: 3.5 hours
- Domestic: 2.5 hours
- Listed Brazilian airports, such as São Paulo-Guarulhos and Rio de Janeiro-Galeão
- International: 3 hours
- Domestic: 3 hours
- Lima, Peru
- International: 3 hours
- Domestic: 2 hours
| Departing from | International | Domestic |
|---|---|---|
| Most airports, including Sydney and Melbourne | 3 hours | 2 hours |
| US: New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Boston | 4 hours | Not applicable |
| Santiago, Chile | 4 hours | 3 hours (4 hours to Easter Island) |
| Easter Island | Not applicable | 3 hours to Santiago |
| Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín, Colombia | 3.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Listed Brazilian airports, such as São Paulo-Guarulhos and Rio de Janeiro-Galeão | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Lima, Peru | 3 hours | 2 hours |
These are LATAM's recommendations, and they can change. Allow extra time during holidays, when checking several bags, or if you need assistance.
Check-in, bag-drop and gate deadlines
Online check-in closing, bag-drop closing and the gate deadline are different things. Check your flight's exact check-in and bag-drop deadlines separately, rather than relying on the online check-in cut-off.
Online check-in doesn't remove the need to drop checked bags at the airport. The LATAM baggage allowance guide explains what your fare includes before you pack.
Qantas, Delta and agency bookings
For a LATAM-operated flight, you'll generally check in with LATAM, even if the ticket shows a Qantas (QF) or Delta (DL) flight number. Ask whoever sold the ticket for LATAM's booking reference; a website order number or another airline's reference may be different. Keep your e-ticket number too.
If the first flight is operated by another airline, LATAM directs you to that airline's website to check in. The LATAM partners guide explains how codeshare flight numbers affect points and benefits.
When LATAM check-in doesn't work
- Check-in hasn't opened yet. It opens 48 hours before each flight.
- Your trip details haven't been confirmed in My Trips, so automatic check-in didn't happen.
- You're using an agency, Qantas or Delta reference instead of LATAM's booking reference.
- The family name is entered differently from the ticket.
- The first flight is operated by another airline and needs checking in there.
- A recent schedule change or booking change hasn't been reflected on the ticket.
If check-in still fails, contact whoever issued the ticket to confirm it's valid and up to date, and allow extra time to check in at the airport. Don't leave a possible ticketing problem unresolved until you reach the counter.
Assistance and families
Request wheelchair or mobility assistance well before departure and confirm it covers every flight, including any connection in Santiago, Lima or São Paulo. Allow extra airport time when assistance is booked.
LATAM says children under 12 are seated next to at least one adult without buying seats in advance, and the assignments show on the boarding pass from 48 hours before the flight. Keep the family on one booking and check the seats as soon as they appear. The LATAM seat selection guide covers the details.
Need to change something before you travel? The LATAM Manage Booking guide explains My Trips and who handles changes on agency, Qantas and Delta tickets.
Advice from our travel experts
Answers from our travel experts to the questions travellers ask us most.
When does LATAM check-in open, and how early should I get to the airport?
We'd check in online from 48 hours before departure. Some bookings qualify for automatic check-in, but you still need to confirm your travel details and whether a boarding pass has been issued.
For airport arrival, LATAM currently advises its standard three hours for international departures from Australia and four hours from its listed US airports. Within South America, don't assume every domestic flight needs just two hours: Santiago and several major Brazilian airports have a three-hour recommendation.
I booked through another website, or my ticket shows a QF or DL flight number. Where do I check in?
We separate who sold the ticket from who operates the flight. For a LATAM-operated flight, you'll generally use LATAM for check-in and operating details, even if your ticket shows a QF or DL flight number. Seat selection and special requests may also need handling through LATAM.
Ask the seller for LATAM's booking reference; the website's order number or another airline's reference may be different. Keep your e-ticket number too.
Final check-in checklist
- Trip details confirmed in My Trips for every passenger
- LATAM booking reference saved, not only an agency or partner reference
- Boarding pass saved for every flight that can be checked in
- Checked bag allowance confirmed before packing
- Recommended airport arrival time noted for each departure
- Bag-drop deadline checked for each flight
- Assistance requests confirmed for every flight and connection
Frequently asked questions
When does LATAM online check-in open?
LATAM opens check-in 48 hours before each flight. Many bookings are checked in automatically at that point if travel details are complete.
Does LATAM check me in automatically?
Often. Domestic flights bought on latam.com in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador or Peru are automatic. For international flights and agency bookings, confirm your details in My Trips first.
When does LATAM online check-in close?
LATAM's help centre says that if your details aren't complete for automatic check-in, you can check in yourself up to 2 hours before departure. Bag-drop deadlines are separate.
How early should I arrive for a LATAM international flight?
LATAM recommends three hours for most international departures, including from Australia, and four hours from its listed US airports and for international flights from Santiago.
Can I check in with LATAM if my ticket has a Qantas or Delta flight number?
Yes, for LATAM-operated flights you'll generally check in with LATAM. Use LATAM's booking reference, which may differ from the Qantas, Delta or agency reference.
Sources and review
About this guide: This guide combines our practical booking experience with information checked against LATAM's published automatic check-in and airport arrival guidance. Check-in rules and airport recommendations change, so travellers should confirm the current details for their flight before departure.
Catchaflight is an independent travel agency that helps travellers compare itineraries, understand fare conditions and arrange flight bookings. Our guides draw on practical booking-assistance experience and are checked against current airline and other relevant official sources before publication.
Policies can change; confirm current details with the official provider before relying on them.
Related LATAM Airlines guides
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LATAM Partners: Delta, Qantas and oneworld
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LATAM Baggage Allowance
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LATAM Premium Economy
Regional Premium Economy, the coming Premium Comfort cabin and alternatives.
LATAM Seat Selection
LATAM+ and extra-legroom seats, seat fees and sitting together.
LATAM Manage Booking
Managing a LATAM flight booked through an agency, Qantas or Delta.
LATAM Changes and Cancellations
Change costs, fare differences and what to do when a flight is disrupted.
How to Get to the Galápagos
Flights via Quito or Guayaquil, Baltra or San Cristóbal, and buffer days.
How to Get to Machu Picchu
Lima to Cusco, rechecking bags, altitude and matching trains.
How to Get to Easter Island
Flights from Santiago, the entry form and buffer nights.
How to Get to Patagonia
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