Ok, a very unexpected update to my Timor-Leste story that has left me with a huge smile on my face. Aero Dili decided to let me board the flight from Bali thanks to something I did the day before that I thought had failed.

Aero Dili Issued My Boarding Pass 25 Minutes Before Departure In Bali, Let Me Board!

I mentioned (and even posted a screenshot) that I tried to check in for my Aero Dili flight from Bali to Dili shortly after the ticket was issued. I was able to choose a seat (6A) and input my passport details, but then I noticed a warning at the top:

Attention! If you’re flying from Denpasar to Dili, online check-in is available exclusively for Timor-Leste passport holders.

I put in my passport details anyway, clicked “check-in,” and received the following message:

As I shared earlier, when I showed up at the check-in counter, I was told I was too late, even without checked bags.

I’m so thankful I did not walk away!

Instead, I walked about 10 paces from the counter, pulled out my phone, and opened the Hyatt app to reserve my room in Bali for the night and then cancel my ticket on Aero Dili.

All of a sudden, the woman at the check-in counter ran over to me.

She said, “You checked in online! We see you in seat 6A. My manager said that we can let you on.”

I couldn’t believe it…I was ecstatic.

She took my passport and literally started plugging in everything again. Aero Dili must use a common-use check-in counter and she plugged the computer and printer back in, scanned my passport, then printed out my boarding pass.

By the time, it was 1:00 pm…departure was in 25 minutes. She pointed to her right told me to run through immigration and security and to hurry.

I did…and when the agent in the security line saw that my flight was due to takeoff in 25 minutes, he directed me over to the handicapped security line where I quickly passed through. You now depart Indonesia via e-gate and no longer have to be stamped out.

I passed through that, navigated through the annoying duty free shop, and ran to the gate, where boarding had just begun.

This was Bali…90ºF and extremely humid. Despite the a/c inside the airport, I was dropping in sweat and took a few minutes to cool down as I watched the flight board.

Finally, I boarded and took my seat, where I found I had the entire row to myself.

I was on my way to Dili, quite unexpectedly, but it was meant to be!

The moral of the story: check-in online?

Next: my Aero Dili flight.

I’m sharing about my whirlwind trip through Asia.