Boarding procedures just got easier! Here's how to board JAL international flights.

STEP 0 Before boarding: Book your flight

Once you have made your international travel plans, please first book your flight on the JAL website or app. You can select your preferred seat at the same time as booking.

Once your purchase is complete, a confirmation email and an e-ticket Customer Copy will be sent to your specified address. You can also print out the e-ticket Customer Copy from the reservation confirmation screen on the JAL website.

Please note that you can search for international flight reservations up to 360 days (※) before the departure date. Since busy periods such as summer vacation, the end of the year, and Golden Week are expected, we recommend that you make your reservation early if your itinerary is confirmed.

*If you are using a round trip, you can make reservations for the itinerary within 360 days from the date of application for both the round trip and return trip. Please check here for the reservation start date for the planned boarding date.

JAL website

JAL App

STEP 1: Complete the check-in procedure to board the plane.

To board your reserved flight, you will need to complete online check-in (boarding procedures).

The advantage of online check-in is that it makes it very easy to complete the boarding process and allows you to board your booked flight smoothly.

For example, you can check in anytime, anywhere from your smartphone or the web before coming to the airport. Therefore, you don't have to wait in line at the check-in counter at the airport. If you don't have any checked baggage, you can go directly to the security checkpoint when you arrive at the airport (you will need a mobile boarding pass or 2D barcode). If you have checked baggage, you can use the online check-in counter.

Online check-in process

While traditionally check-in was done at the airport, customers flying on JAL international flights can now check in online from the comfort of their own home or a location of their choice from 24 hours to one hour before their flight.

Online check-in also allows you to select your own seat using the seat map on the JAL website or JAL app. Passengers who have already reserved their seat can also change their seat via online check-in.

(1) Start of online check-in procedures

<When using the JAL website>

On the JAL website homepage, go to "Boarding/Check-in" and click "Online check-in" for international flights to begin the process.

<If you are using the JAL app>

Click "Check-in online now" on the top screen of the JAL app.

(2) Enter the required information

When you press the "Check in" button, the "Authentication" screen will open.

Please enter your reservation number, e-ticket number (ticket number), or verification number, as well as your flight name, date, and name. If you are already logged in as a member, you can skip this screen. Below, you can check and change your flight information and seat.

(3) Issuance of boarding pass

You can choose from the following methods to receive your boarding pass and have it issued.

If you check in online and then prepare a "home print boarding pass" that you can print from your home or office PC, or a "mobile boarding pass" that you can download from your smartphone, you can proceed directly to security without having to wait in line at the check-in counter when you arrive at the airport.

Online check-in operation instructions (for personal travel)

STEP 2: Please arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

On the day of your flight, please arrive at the airport with as much time as possible. For international flights, the check-in deadline is 60 minutes before departure. In addition, we recommend that you arrive at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before departure.

Congestion is expected during peak seasons such as Golden Week, summer vacation, and the New Year holidays. Although the situation will vary depending on the airport, surrounding roads and parking lots are expected to be congested, so we recommend using public transportation.

Requests to passengers (international flights)

STEP 3 Check in your baggage

Carry-on baggage

There are restrictions on the size, weight and number of pieces of carry-on baggage that you can bring on board.

The rules are that you are allowed one personal item such as a handbag or laptop computer, and one piece of baggage weighing less than 10kg, with the total size of the length, width and height not exceeding 45 inches (115cm) and each of the three dimensions not exceeding 55cm x 40cm x 25cm.

There are also various other conditions stipulated by Aviation Law, so please check the details below.

Carry-on baggage rules

Checked baggage

Please check in your baggage at least 60 minutes before your flight departs. You can check in your baggage in advance using the Self Baggage Drop (hereinafter referred to as Self Baggage Drop). Self Baggage Drop was introduced as part of JAL SMART AIRPORT, which uses IT to make airports more convenient. Currently, it is available at Haneda Airport, Narita Airport and some overseas airports for international flights.

At airports that do not have Self Baggage Drop services, you will need to check in your baggage at the counter.

Self Baggage Drop allows you to check in your baggage without having to wait in line at a manned counter, making the process smoother.

The procedure is as follows: first, issue a baggage tag at the self-service check-in machine, attach the baggage tag to your baggage, and then proceed to the Self Baggage Drop. Follow the instructions on the display to hold the barcode on your boarding pass over the machine, and place your baggage one by one on the belt. Finally, a baggage claim tag will be printed, and once you receive it, the procedure is complete.

Checked baggage rules

STEP 4: Go through security

There are four steps left: clear security (and customs if applicable), go through immigration, and then head to the boarding gate. For international flights, you must arrive at the boarding gate 30 minutes before departure.

Security and immigration usually take about 10 to 15 minutes. Assuming that it will be crowded during peak season, it is advisable to be at the security checkpoint 60 minutes before departure. Here, passengers' clothes, shoes, and carry-on luggage will be checked to ensure they are safe.

Enter by holding your boarding pass over the ticket reader at the security checkpoint entrance.

During the inspection, please follow the instructions of the inspection staff and remove any coats, jackets, hoodies, down vests, sweaters, cardigans, etc., and place them in a tray. In addition, please remove any boots or basketball shoes that cover your ankles, shoes with thick soles, or shoes with a lot of metal decorations, and place them in a special tray. Remove any metal objects such as mobile phones, keys, and coins from your pockets, and any laptops or tablet devices from your carry-on baggage, and place them all in the tray.

Liquids require careful attention. Unlike domestic flights, there are detailed rules regarding carry-on luggage.

When you're ready, pass your baggage and any clothing or personal items on the tray through the machine and then through the metal detector.

Please note that there are detailed regulations regarding what items can be brought on board, and they are often pointed out at security checkpoints, so be sure to check in advance.

Restricted baggage

STEP 5: Go through customs inspection (only if applicable)

If you fall under the following conditions, you will need to present documents at customs.

STEP 6 Go through immigration

Once you have passed through security, you will proceed to immigration. Immigration is usually conducted by lining up at a counter or facial recognition gate and undergoing immigration screening one by one. Wait with your boarding pass and passport ready, and when it is your turn, proceed to the counter or facial recognition gate. Once your face has been verified by matching your passport photo with your identity, immigration screening is complete.

There is nothing complicated about the immigration process itself when Japanese people leave Japan, but during busy periods immigration can get crowded and long lines are not uncommon. Even though it is the last hurdle before departure, you should allow yourself plenty of time to go through immigration so that you can arrive at the boarding gate 30 minutes before departure.

Meanwhile, as a measure to ease such congestion, "automated gates" have been introduced for immigration inspections since 2018. Automated gates are a system that can automatically carry out immigration inspections by conducting passport, fingerprint and facial recognition.

In order to use the system, you need to register your passport photo and fingerprints in advance, but you can register on the day of your flight. Currently, automated gates are installed at Narita Airport (Terminals 1 and 2), Haneda Airport, Chubu Centrair Airport, and Kansai International Airport.

STEP 7: Board the plane

Proceed to the boarding gate. Check your boarding pass or the airport information monitors to see which gate your flight is at, and head to the gate so that you arrive there 30 minutes before departure.

At the boarding gate, JAL staff will inform you of the boarding time and boarding order. After pre-boarding service for sick or injured passengers, pregnant passengers, and passengers with children, priority boarding will be given to groups according to boarding class and membership type, and then passengers will be guided onto the aircraft in order of seat number, usually in groups of five.

When boarding, you will need to verify your identity with your passport, then hold your boarding pass over the ticket gate to board the plane.

Now, after that, we hope you will enjoy the comfortable flight that JAL offers to your heart's content while thinking about your destination. However, there is a new way of checking in that we would like all customers boarding JAL international flights to try out. That is "Face Express."

SPECIAL STEP We recommend the cutting-edge facial recognition system "Face Express"

"Face Express" is a facial recognition system that utilizes the latest technology.

In this article, we have introduced the travel procedures for JAL international flights step by step. At many steps, such as "STEP 3 when checking in your baggage," "STEP 4 security check," and "STEP 6 boarding," you will need to present your passport and boarding pass and have your identity verified.

However, this service called Face Express allows you to check in by comparing your passport and face and registering your face information, eliminating the need to present your passport and boarding pass for subsequent procedures. The mark you can see is the logo above. It is currently being used at Narita and Haneda airports.

Each device reads passport information and performs facial recognition using the built-in camera, and the next step is basically a "face pass" (it does not support departure inspections).

The automated baggage drop machines allow passengers to check in their luggage using facial recognition.

Follow the instructions on the self-service baggage drop machine to begin facial recognition and then you can drop off your baggage. Once the process is complete, a receipt will be issued.

Once you proceed to the security checkpoint, you will see a lane reserved for Face Express registered passengers. You can also pass through the security checkpoint with facial recognition.

Simply stand on the foot mark and face the camera to be authenticated and the gate will open.

What's more, you don't even need to show your boarding pass or passport at the boarding gate!

Simply stand on the foot mark, face the camera and be authenticated, and the door to the aircraft will open.

With the conventional procedure, you would have to repeatedly hand over your important passport during the few hours you spent at the airport. However, with a one-time registration, you can now use Face Express instead. The time you spend at the airport is also part of the journey. Now boarding procedures are smoother and more comfortable, and the touchless process makes your journey safer and more secure. Please try out this new boarding procedure using facial recognition.

*Face recognition procedures using Face Express may not be available on some routes.

Face Express

Boarding procedures for international flights can be a little nerve-wracking for first-time travelers and even those who love traveling abroad. You don't have to remember them all. With the combination of familiar digital devices and technology, it has evolved to be easier and more convenient than ever before. If you have the opportunity to go abroad, be sure to check it out in advance.

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