This guide is part of our complete Flying with TUI guide, which covers everything UK passengers need to know about flying with TUI.
When does TUI check in open? For most passengers, it’s 48 hours before your scheduled departure time. Upgrade to Premium, Extra Legroom, Extra Space or Select Your Seat, and that window extends to 14 days. Flying to Mexico or Jamaica? A separate rule applies: check-in opens 24 hours before departure.
Here is what each window means in practice, and how to use TUI Manage My Booking to complete your check-in.
TUI check-in opens 48 hours before departure
For most TUI passengers on most routes, online check-in becomes available 48 hours before the scheduled departure time. That means if your flight leaves at 07:30, check-in opens at 07:30 two days before. The window is calculated from your departure time, not from midnight.
TUI flights carry one of three flight code prefixes: TOM, BY or OR. All three use the same Manage My Booking system on tui.co.uk. You log in with your booking reference, the lead passenger’s surname and your departure date.
Your outbound and return flights are checked in separately. The two check-in windows open independently of each other, based on each flight’s departure time.
TUI does not charge to check in online. The Manage My Booking system is free to use, whether you access it via the website or the TUI app. If you want to add or change your seat during check-in, costs may apply depending on availability.
If you’ve already bought the Select Your Seat option, that assignment carries through to check-in automatically. You do not need to pay again or re-select.
How to check in online with TUI
Check-in takes a few minutes. You’ll need three things to hand: your booking reference, the lead passenger’s surname, and your departure date. The steps are the same on the website and the TUI app.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to tui.co.uk and open Manage My Booking |
| 2 | Enter your booking reference, the lead passenger’s surname and your departure date |
| 3 | Select ‘check-in’ from the options available |
| 4 | Confirm passenger details and any seat preferences |
| 5 | Download your boarding pass to your phone, or print it |
Premium and Select Your Seat: check-in opens 14 days early
Passengers who’ve added certain upgrades can check in considerably earlier than the standard 48-hour window. If your TUI booking includes any of the following, online check-in opens 14 days before departure.
| Seat or upgrade type | Check-in opens |
|---|---|
| Premium | 14 days before departure |
| Extra Legroom seats | 14 days before departure |
| Extra Space seats | 14 days before departure |
| Select Your Seat | 14 days before departure |
| Standard (no upgrade) | 48 hours before departure |
The Select Your Seat option is available to add through Manage My Booking before your check-in window opens. Buying it earlier gives you a wider choice of seats and unlocks the 14-day check-in window.
The 14-day window applies to flights with TOM, BY or OR flight numbers. If you’re flying with a TUI partner airline, separate check-in rules apply.
Mexico and Jamaica: the 24-hour rule
TUI applies a specific rule to flights to Mexico and Jamaica. Regardless of seat type or upgrade, online check-in for these destinations does not open until 24 hours before your scheduled departure.
The rule applies to both outbound and inbound flights on those routes. The standard 48-hour and 14-day windows do not apply to Mexico or Jamaica bookings.
When does TUI check-in close?
TUI online check-in closes one hour before your scheduled departure time. If you haven’t checked in by then, you’ll need to check in at the airport desk instead.
If you’ve already completed check-in but lost your boarding pass, you can re-download it from Manage My Booking at any point while the check-in window is still open. Once it closes, speak to a TUI representative at the airport.
What if I can’t check in online?
TUI operates check-in desks at all UK departure airports. If online check-in isn’t available because you’re travelling on a partner airline booking, or because you’ve encountered a technical issue, check in at the airport instead.
For flights with TUI partner airlines, the check-in timing and process may differ from TUI’s own flights. The relevant details are in TUI’s Flying with Other Airlines FAQs on tui.co.uk.
More on what to expect with TUI:
- Flying with TUI: what UK passengers need to know
- TUI baggage allowance 2026: hand luggage and hold bags
- When does TUI release flights?
- When does TUI have sales?
- When does TUI release holidays?
Search TUI flights and holidays
TUI check-in FAQs
When does TUI check-in open?
TUI check-in opens 48 hours before your scheduled departure time. If you’ve added Premium, Extra Legroom seats, Extra Space seats or the Select Your Seat option to your booking, check-in opens 14 days before departure.
Can I check in 14 days before my TUI flight?
Yes, but only if your booking includes Premium, Extra Legroom seats, Extra Space seats or the Select Your Seat option. Standard passengers get access to check-in 48 hours before departure.
What time exactly does TUI check-in open?
The 48-hour window opens at the same clock time as your scheduled departure. If your flight leaves at 09:30, check-in opens at 09:30 two days earlier. There is no midnight reset.
What do I need to check in online with TUI?
You need your booking reference, the surname of the lead passenger and your departure date. Log in to Manage My Booking on tui.co.uk, then select ‘check-in’.
When does TUI online check-in close?
TUI online check-in closes one hour before your scheduled departure time. After that point, you must check in at the airport desk.
Do I have to check in separately for my return TUI flight?
Yes. TUI online check-in for your outbound and return flights must be completed separately, within the check-in window for each flight. The two windows open independently.
Does TUI charge to check in online?
No. TUI online check-in is free. You may have the option to pay to select or change your seat during check-in, but the check-in process itself carries no charge.
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
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