Trying to complete your SAS check in but the website or app will not let you continue? An online check-in failure can be frustrating, particularly when your departure is approaching and you still need your SAS boarding pass.

In many cases, however, the problem is not with your ticket. SAS online check-in has specific opening and closing times, and some journeys or passenger situations require airport check-in instead. Problems can also occur when booking information, travel documents, or the flight operator do not match what the check-in system expects.

Why can’t I check in on SAS Scandinavian Airlines?

There are several reasons why SAS online check in is not working. The most likely include:

  • Online check-in has not opened yet.

  • You are attempting to check in after the online deadline.

  • Your booking details are not being recognized.

  • Your itinerary requires additional travel-document checks.

  • The flight is operated by another airline.

  • You are travelling with a pet, musical instrument, or another situation that requires counter assistance.

  • You have requested special assistance.

  • You are travelling as an unaccompanied minor.

  • The SAS website or app is experiencing a temporary technical problem.

  • Your journey has changed and the current booking information needs attention.

SAS says that for most flights, online check-in is available from 30 hours until 1 hour before departure. It also provides airport self-service kiosks and staffed check-in counters when online check-in cannot be completed.

1. Online check-in may not be open yet

One of the simplest explanations for SAS check in unavailable is that you are checking in too early.

For most SAS flights, online check-in opens 30 hours before departure and remains available until 1 hour before departure.

If your flight leaves tomorrow evening, for example, check-in may not yet be available depending on the current time.

What should you do?

Check the exact scheduled departure time and make sure you are inside the 30-hour window.

If you are too early, there is usually no action required. Wait until the check-in window opens and try again.

If you are already inside the window and SAS still will not let you check in, continue with the checks below.

2. You may be trying to check in too late

The opposite problem can happen if you wait until the last part of the check-in window.

SAS states that online check-in for most flights closes 1 hour before departure. Airport check-in and bag-drop deadlines can be earlier or vary according to the destination.

For SAS flights within Scandinavia and Europe, the general check-in and bag-drop deadline is 45 minutes before departure. For many flights to Asia and North America, the deadline is 90 minutes before departure in Economy and Premium and 60 minutes in Business. SAS lists a 60-minute deadline for flights to and from Africa.

Don't confuse online check-in with airport deadlines

The online check-in deadline and the airport check-in deadline are not necessarily the same.

If online check-in has already closed, go to the airport as soon as possible and use the available SAS check-in facilities, provided you can still meet the airport deadline.

3. Your booking information may not be recognized

If the SAS website cannot retrieve your booking, check the information you entered.

A small difference in passenger details or using the wrong booking reference can prevent the system from finding the reservation.

This is especially worth checking if you booked through:

  • A travel agency

  • An online travel agency

  • A corporate travel service

  • Another airline

  • A tour operator

Use the booking information associated with the SAS itinerary rather than assuming that every reference number in your confirmation is interchangeable.

Check the basics

Before trying again, confirm:

  • Your surname is entered correctly.

  • You are using the correct booking reference.

  • The flight date is correct.

  • You are checking the correct passenger.

  • The reservation has not recently been changed.

If the booking still cannot be retrieved, check the latest confirmation or contact the company that issued the ticket.

4. Your flight may be operated by another airline

A booking can contain SAS flight numbers while another carrier operates one of the sectors.

This matters because the operating airline can determine where and how you check in.

If you have a connecting itinerary, look at each flight and identify the operating carrier, not just the airline shown on the ticket or flight number.

SAS's conditions of carriage also state that passengers with subsequent flights on another carrier are responsible for checking that carrier's check-in deadlines.

What to do

Look for wording such as:

"Operated by [airline]"

If another airline operates the flight you are trying to check in for, visit that carrier's website or app and follow its check-in procedure.

For a multi-airline itinerary, you may need a boarding pass from the operating airline for one or more segments.

5. Travel documents may need additional verification

An SAS check in issue can also occur when the airline needs information about your travel documents.

International travel may require a passport, visa, residence document, or other entry documentation depending on your destination and nationality.

SAS maintains separate guidance covering travel documents and entry requirements and advises passengers to make sure they have the necessary documents before travelling.

If the system asks for document information

Check that:

  • Your name matches the booking.

  • Your passport information is entered accurately.

  • Your travel document is valid.

  • You have any required visa or entry authorization.

  • You follow any instructions displayed during check-in.

If online verification cannot be completed, airport staff can determine what additional checks are required.

6. You may have requested special assistance

Some passengers cannot complete the entire check-in process online because their travel arrangements require personal assistance.

SAS specifically states that passengers who have requested assistance need to use the check-in counter at the airport.

This is important because an inability to obtain an online boarding pass does not necessarily indicate a booking problem.

If you have requested assistance, follow the airport check-in instructions provided by SAS rather than repeatedly trying to force online check-in.

7. You are travelling with a pet

Travelling with a pet can change the normal check-in process.

SAS says passengers travelling with a pet need to use the check-in counter at the airport.

Therefore, if you are travelling with a pet and SAS online check in is not working, the issue may be expected rather than a website failure.

Take the required travel documents and arrive with sufficient time to complete the airport formalities.

8. You are travelling as an unaccompanied minor

Unaccompanied minors have additional procedures that are not handled entirely through ordinary online check-in.

SAS lists unaccompanied-minor travel among the situations requiring use of the airport check-in counter.

If this applies to your booking, do not assume that an unavailable digital boarding pass means your reservation is incorrect.

Follow SAS's airport instructions for the journey.

9. Your booking may have changed

If your flight was recently changed, cancelled, rebooked, or otherwise modified, the check-in information may not behave as expected.

This is particularly important when you are using an old confirmation or trying to retrieve a boarding pass generated before the itinerary changed.

Before trying again

Check your latest itinerary for:

  • A new flight number

  • A new departure time

  • A different routing

  • A changed operating airline

  • A replacement flight

  • Any notification from SAS about your booking

Always use the latest itinerary rather than an earlier version saved on your phone or computer.

10. The SAS website or app may have a temporary problem

Sometimes SAS online check in not working is simply a technical issue.

You may notice that:

  • The check-in page does not load.

  • The booking cannot be retrieved.

  • The page freezes after entering your information.

  • The app closes or displays an error.

  • Check-in appears to complete but the boarding pass does not load.

Before assuming there is something wrong with your ticket, try another way to access the service.

Quick troubleshooting steps

Try:

  • Switching between the SAS website and app.

  • Using another browser.

  • Opening a private or incognito browser window.

  • Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

  • Trying another device.

  • Updating the SAS app.

  • Closing and reopening the app.

  • Signing out and back into your SAS account.

  • Checking again after a short interval.

SAS recommends its app as an easy way to check in and says it can also keep passengers updated during their trip.

How to fix SAS online check in not working

If you want a quick troubleshooting sequence, use this order.

Step 1: Check the timing

Make sure you are between 30 hours and 1 hour before departure for a typical SAS flight.

Step 2: Verify your booking

Re-enter the passenger and booking information carefully.

Step 3: Check the operating airline

If another carrier operates the flight, use that airline's check-in process.

Step 4: Review travel-document requirements

Make sure you have the required passport, visa, or other documentation.

Step 5: Try the SAS app

If the website is failing, try checking in through the app.

Step 6: Try another device

A browser or device-specific problem can sometimes prevent the check-in page from functioning correctly.

Step 7: Go to the airport if necessary

If online check-in still fails, SAS says passengers can use a self-service kiosk or staffed check-in counter at the airport.

What if my SAS boarding pass is not available?

If you completed check-in but your SAS boarding pass is missing, first check the SAS app and your booking.

A missing digital boarding pass does not necessarily mean that the reservation has disappeared or that you are not checked in.

If you cannot access the boarding pass electronically, airport facilities can provide another route.

SAS says that passengers who cannot check in online or through the app can use a self-service kiosk or staffed check-in counter at the airport.

If you are already at the airport

Go to an SAS self-service kiosk where available.

If you need personal assistance or the kiosk cannot resolve the problem, use the staffed check-in counter.

If you have checked baggage, remember that you still need to complete the baggage process even if you already have a digital boarding pass.

Can I check in at the airport if online check-in fails?

Yes.

SAS explicitly says that passengers who cannot check in online or in the SAS app can use a self-service kiosk or staffed check-in counter at the airport. SAS states that staffed check-in counters open two hours before departure, although local procedures can vary.

The key is to arrive early enough to meet the applicable check-in and bag-drop deadline.

Do not wait until the final minutes before departure if you already know that online check-in is failing.

What are the SAS check-in and bag-drop deadlines?

The exact deadline depends on your route.

SAS currently gives these general deadlines:

RouteCheck-in / bag-drop deadline

Scandinavia & Europe45 minutes before departure

Flights from Greenland60 minutes before departure

Asia & North America — Economy/Premium90 minutes before departure

Asia & North America — Business60 minutes before departure

Africa60 minutes before departure

SAS says boarding closes 20 minutes before departure on flights within Scandinavia and Europe and on flights to and from Africa. For Asia and North America, boarding closes 35 minutes before departure.

These are deadlines, not ideal arrival times. SAS recommends arriving at least two hours before departure and recommends three hours for travel to or from destinations outside Europe.

What if my SAS check in problem happens today?

If your SAS check in problem today is happening shortly before departure, prioritize the airport rather than spending a long time troubleshooting the website.

Before leaving, have your:

  • Booking confirmation

  • Passport or required ID

  • Visa or other travel documents, if applicable

  • Latest itinerary

  • Any SAS messages concerning changes or disruptions

At the airport, use the SAS self-service kiosk or check-in counter.

SAS specifically provides these alternatives for passengers who cannot complete online or app check-in.

What if I have checked baggage?

You can still use online check-in if your itinerary allows it.

After checking in, passengers with baggage can use the self-service process to print bag tags and then use the bag-drop facility where available. SAS provides these options as part of its airport check-in process.

If online check-in has failed, you can use the airport check-in process instead.

Remember that a boarding pass alone does not complete the journey if your checked baggage has not been accepted by the airline.

What if I have a connecting SAS flight?

Connecting itineraries can make check-in more complicated, particularly when different airlines are involved.

SAS says that if you already have the boarding pass for your next flight, you can proceed to the departure gate. If you need a new boarding pass for an SAS flight, you can use a self-service kiosk or the SAS app.

If your connection involves another airline, check that carrier's instructions for the relevant segment.

Why is my SAS boarding pass not available after check-in?

A boarding pass may be unavailable because the check-in process has not fully completed, additional verification is required, or the flight segment is handled by another carrier.

First, return to your booking and check whether the flight shows as checked in.

If the boarding pass still cannot be retrieved, use the SAS app or try the website again. If neither works, obtain assistance at the airport.

Does a missing boarding pass mean my SAS ticket is cancelled?

No. A missing SAS boarding pass by itself does not prove that your ticket has been cancelled.

There is an important difference between:

  • A reservation that cannot be retrieved,

  • A check-in process that has failed,

  • A boarding pass that cannot be displayed, and

  • A booking that has actually been cancelled or changed.

If you are unsure about the status of the reservation, check your latest booking information or ask SAS staff at the airport.

How to avoid SAS check-in problems

A little preparation can make the check-in process much easier.

Save your booking information

Keep your latest booking confirmation available on your phone and, where practical, offline.

Check your flight before departure

Look for schedule changes, cancellations, terminal information, or other updates in the SAS app or flight information.

Check travel documents early

Do not wait until the online check-in window opens to discover that a passport or visa requirement needs attention.

Install the SAS app

SAS says the app supports check-in and provides trip updates, including boarding information.

Give yourself an airport backup

If online check-in fails, you should still have enough time to use the airport kiosk or staffed counter before the applicable deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I check in on SAS Scandinavian Airlines?

The most common reasons include checking in outside the permitted window, incorrect booking information, travel-document requirements, another airline operating the flight, or a situation that requires airport assistance. SAS also provides airport check-in when online or app check-in cannot be completed.

When does SAS online check-in open?

For most SAS flights, online check-in opens 30 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before departure.

Why is SAS check in unavailable?

Check whether you are outside the online check-in window, whether your flight is operated by another airline, and whether your booking or travel documents require additional attention.

Why is SAS online check in not working?

Try the SAS app if the website is failing, or the website if the app is failing. You can also try another browser, device, or internet connection. If online check-in remains unavailable, use the airport check-in facilities.

Why is my SAS boarding pass not available?

The boarding pass may not be displayed because check-in has not fully completed or additional processing is required. If you cannot retrieve it online, SAS provides self-service kiosks and staffed check-in counters at the airport.

Can I check in at the airport if SAS online check-in fails?

Yes. SAS says passengers who cannot check in online or through the app can use a self-service kiosk or staffed check-in counter at the airport.

What time does SAS airport check-in close?

The deadline varies by route. SAS currently lists 45 minutes before departure for Scandinavia and Europe, 60 minutes for flights from Greenland, 60 or 90 minutes for Asia and North America depending on travel class, and 60 minutes for Africa.

Can I check in online if I have checked baggage?

Yes, where online check-in is available. After checking in, you can use the airport's bag-tag and bag-drop facilities where provided.

Can I check in online if I am travelling with a pet?

SAS lists passengers travelling with pets among those who need to use the check-in counter at the airport.

What if I have requested special assistance?

SAS states that passengers who have requested assistance should use the airport check-in counter.

What if another airline operates my SAS flight?

Check-in may need to be completed through the operating airline. For connecting flights involving another carrier, check that carrier's check-in rules and deadlines as well as SAS's information.

What should I do if my SAS check-in problem happens shortly before departure?

Stop spending time troubleshooting once departure is approaching. Take your booking information and required travel documents to the airport and use an SAS kiosk or staffed counter, provided you can still meet the applicable check-in deadline.

Conclusion

A SAS check in problem does not automatically mean there is something wrong with your reservation. Start by checking the most basic possibilities: whether the 30-hour online check-in window has opened, whether you are still before the one-hour online deadline, and whether your booking details are correct.

If those details are fine, look at the operating airline, travel-document requirements, and any special circumstances such as travelling with a pet or requiring assistance. These situations can change how check-in works.

If SAS online check in is not working despite everything appearing correct, try the SAS app, another browser, or another device. But if your departure is approaching, do not risk missing the airport deadline while troubleshooting.

SAS provides self-service kiosks and staffed check-in counters for passengers who cannot complete check-in online or through the app.

The safest approach is simple: resolve the issue online when you have time, but use airport check-in as your backup when the SAS boarding pass is not available or the online system will not complete the process.