Do airlines check return ticket and ETA (Sri Lanka visa) at check-in before flying to Sri Lanka?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 12 days ago
TL;DR
Airlines almost always check your Sri Lanka ETA (e-visa) at check-in and again during transit re-registration — get it before departure. A return/onward ticket is checked inconsistently depending on airline and staff, so it's safer to have a booking ready just in case.
What the community said
Flying Moscow–Colombo via Abu Dhabi with Etihad, staff asked for both ETA and a return ticket; without a return ticket a supervisor had to be called but eventually allowed boarding after explaining travel plans. Due to a flight delay, the passenger was rebooked in Abu Dhabi and ETA was checked again at re-registration.
14 days ago Etihad, Moscow–Abu Dhabi–Colombo
On an earlier trip in May with Aeroflot, ETA wasn't checked at all — practice clearly varies by airline.
14 days ago Aeroflot — no ETA check
Another traveler flew Etihad and wasn't asked for a return ticket, but staff did check the ETA and entered the visa number into the system at check-in.
23 days ago Etihad — ETA logged in system
Flying from Egypt with Air Arabia, no return ticket was requested, but ETA was checked during a Dubai transit. Note Air Arabia strictly weighs carry-on bags — the limit is 10 kg including your laptop.
24 days ago Air Arabia — carry-on limit 10 kg