Simply reply: checking in by SMS
If you are a HON Circle Member, Lufthansa Senator or Lufthansa Frequent Traveller you can enjoy our especially convenient SMS check-in service. Simply sign up for this in your profile.
How to check in by SMS
It’s very easy: we text you an invitation and you reply to it.
Your invitation
Several hours before your scheduled departure you will receive a check-in invitation by SMS. If your departure is between 06.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs, you will receive your invitation after 18.00 hrs on the evening before your departure. If your flight departs between 16.00 hrs and midnight, you will receive the SMS after 08.00 hrs on the morning of your departure. Should your route contain several flight legs you will only receive an invitation for the first. Check-in for the connecting or return flight on the same day will take place automatically.
Your reply
Confirm this invitation by texting back "Y" and the corresponding flight number. When replying please use the same mobile phone to which the invitation was sent.
Please note that overseas your mobile phone provider will charge you for receiving the SMS invitation and sending the reply.
How to obtain your boarding pass
Once you have confirmed your check-in by sending your SMS reply, you will receive the following by SMS:
- The link to your mobile boarding pass or
- A confirmation with details of when you should collect your boarding pass and your departure gate
If your mobile phone is not Internet-enabled, simply collect your boarding pass at a check-in machine at the airport. If you would like to change your seat again, simply place the barcode of your boarding pass on the machine’s scanner and choose a new seat.
Please be aware of the published check-in deadlines, by which you must be in possession of your boarding pass and have checked in your baggage. These deadlines vary from airport to airport.
Quicker boarding - with or without bags
With your mobile boarding pass you can board your flight quickly and conveniently. If you are travelling with hand luggage only, you can proceed directly to security and then to your gate. Additional luggage can simply be checked in on the way to your flight at one of the designated Lufthansa baggage drop-off counters.
Baggage drop-off counter
Please show the 2D barcode on your mobile boarding pass so that it can be scanned by the Lufthansa representative. It is important to ensure that the background illumination on your mobile is turned on.
Security control, transfer desk
Please show the information relevant to your flight in plain text so that identification can be carried out.
Boarding with scanner
When boarding, please place the 2D barcode on the scanner.
NB: please ensure that your mobile phone’s background illumination is turned on.
On board the aircraft
It is a legal requirement that mobile phones are switched off as soon as the aircraft begins take-off. Until this time you can find your seat number on your mobile boarding pass.
Flights for which you can check in by SMS
- Lufthansa flights within Germany
- Lufthansa flights from Germany to elsewhere in Europe
- Lufthansa flights from many European airports to Germany (Overview of routes)
