Definition of the word check in

The phrase "check in" has evolved over time to describe the process of informing someone, usually an authority figure or service provider, of one's arrival or presence. In the context of travel, "check in" is commonly associated with airports and refers to the procedure by which a passenger presents themselves to the airline before boarding a flight. The origin of "check in" can be traced back to the early 20th century when air travel was a fledgling industry. At the time, airlines operated a more informal system, and passengers could simply approach the flight deck and board the plane without much ado. However, as air travel became increasingly popular, airlines began introducing more organized boarding procedures to manage the growing number of passengers. The first recorded use of the term "check in" in its current sense appears in a 1934 issue of American Way magazine, where it referred to the process by which passengers presented their tickets and luggage to an airline representative before boarding a flight. Since then, "check in" has become a ubiquitous term in the travel industry, minimizing chaos and streamlining the boarding procedure for passengers all around the world.