Online Check-in Failed / Kiosk Won’t Scan

Do this now: Screenshot the error → print a paper copy of your visa/ESTA/return ticket → arrive 30–40 minutes earlier than planned and go straight to a staffed counter.

Why this happens

On international routes (especially to countries requiring a visa/ESTA/ETA), the online system often can’t automatically verify your visa and return ticket. This causes check-in failures, “Document Check Required” errors, or a boarding pass with no working barcode. This is a system limitation — it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your documents.

Three things to do right now

Screenshot immediately Capture the screen showing the check-in failure, the error code, or the “please see a staff member” message. This is evidence later if you need to prove “I tried early and the system failed.”
Bring paper backups Print your visa, ESTA authorization letter, and return ticket. When a kiosk won’t scan, handing paper documents to a staffed counter usually gets you manually cleared within 30 seconds.
Leave earlier Add 30–40 minutes to your planned arrival time — you will almost certainly need the staffed counter, which is slower than self-service.

Do this before your next trip

Complete online check-in the moment it opens, and save your boarding pass to Apple Wallet / Google Wallet
A digital boarding pass avoids issues with unclear paper barcodes at security

If you’re still stuck at the airport

Go to Stuck at Airport.

中文版：線上報到失敗 →