Is my boarding pass my ticket?
Not technically. Your boarding pass is your “ticket” to board the plane, but technically your ticket is generated as an “e-ticket,” or an electronic ticket, when you book your flight. Your boarding pass will be generated upon check-in, either online or at the check-in counter.
When will I get my boarding pass?
Boarding passes are provided at check-in, either online (online check-in is usually available 24 hours prior to the flight) or in person at a kiosk or at the check-in counter.
What information does a boarding pass include?
A boarding pass includes the legal name of the passenger and flight information including: the airline name; departure gate information; departure and arrival cities; flight numbers; departure time; boarding time; boarding group number (when applicable) and seat assignment (when applicable). There will also be a bar code (paper boarding pass) or QR code (mobile boarding pass) for scanning at the security checkpoint and when you board the plane.
How do I get my boarding pass?
If you check-in online prior to your flight, your boarding pass may be emailed to you for printing at home. You can also request a mobile boarding pass, a link for which will be emailed or texted to you. Some international flights will allow you to check-in online but you may have to visit the check-in counter to receive your boarding pass so they can verify your passport.
If you check in at the airport, you may print your boarding pass from a self-service kiosk near check-in, or an airline representative can print one for you at the check-in counter.
If you lose your pre-printed boarding pass or misplace the link, you can reprint your boarding pass when you get to the airport.
NOTE: Some airline may charge you for printing out your boarding pass at the airport (Air Asia does, for example, and Spirit Airlines will charge $10 if a Customer Service Agent prints it at the counter though using the kiosk is free). Be sure to read the fine print or you may be hit with extra charges.
Is printing out your boarding pass necessary?
If you have a mobile boarding pass, printing out your boarding pass may not be necessary. However, remember that phones can lose battery or technology may fail. To ensure timely boarding, having a paper copy is often a safe choice.
How does a mobile boarding pass work?
A mobile boarding pass is just like a paper boarding pass but it’s electronic. When you arrive at security, the TSA agent will scan your mobile boarding pass (or ask you to hold your phone over the scanner) just as they would scan a paper version. Ditto at the gate. You will still need to have a form of identification (drivers license, passport) to pass through security.
Can I use a screenshot of my mobile boarding pass?
You can use a screenshot of your mobile boarding pass; just make sure that you screenshot the entire boarding pass (QR code, seat assignment, etc.)
Can I go straight to security with mobile boarding pass?
If you’re not checking any bags, you can proceed straight to security with your ID and mobile boarding pass.
What happens if I lose my boarding pass?
If you haven’t gone through security yet, return to your airline’s check-in counter and reprint a boarding pass from the kiosk or ask an agent at the check-in desk if there are no kiosks. If you have already gone through security, go to your departure gate and ask the gate agent to reprint your boarding pass.
Can I go through TSA without a boarding pass?
You cannot go through the TSA security checkpoint without a boarding pass in either mobile or paper form. One exception is if you are accompanying a minor or disabled person and you have an escort pass.
What is an escort pass?
An “escort pass” is a pass you can request if you want to accompany a minor child or a person with a disability (age-related or not) to a departure gate. It will allow you to pass through security without a boarding pass to see your person to the gate. You can also request an escort pass if you are meeting a minor child, elderly relative, or person with a disability on a domestic flight and you want to meet them at the gate. Escort passes do not work for international flights because of Customs and Immigration.
How do I get an escort pass?
Go to the check-in ticket counter with your ID and request an escort pass. Though escort passes are not guaranteed, most airlines will issue them without any hassle.
Can I board the plane without a boarding pass?
You cannot board the plane without a printed or mobile boarding pass. If you’ve lost yours, you’ll need to ask a gate agent to reprint your boarding pass.
Does my boarding pass need to match the name on my ID?
Your boarding pass should match the first and last names on your ID or passport exactly. Some airlines don’t include middle names on boarding passes, and some run the middle and first name together. If you’ve made an error entering your name when purchasing the ticket, call the airline as soon as possible to have them correct the error.
If I’m recently married, does my boarding pass need to match my legal name?
Your boarding pass needs to match the name on your ID (or passport, for an international trip), regardless of your “legal” name. This means if you’ve recently changed your name but haven’t updated your passport yet, you should make sure to book your ticket in the name listed on your passport.
Why is it a bad idea to post a photo of my boarding pass online or on social media?
Other than the fact that you’re giving people your legal name and all of the details of your flight, there’s another reason not to post this info online. Your boarding pass contains a barcode or QR code that has all of your personal information for that flight encoded on it. Anyone with a decoder could use it to access that information.
Additionally, that barcode or QR code could contain a six-digit code called a passenger’s name record (PNR). This PNR code can give a hacker access to further personal information, allowing him or her to steal frequent flier miles, change your seat assignment, change your contact information or even change or cancel your flight reservation. If you keep credit card information stored in your airline frequent flier account, they could steal that, too. In short, it’s a bad idea.
It’s best to shred or destroy your boarding pass and luggage claim tags after your trip so that information can’t fall into the wrong hands.
FAQs
What is a Boarding Pass? | Boarding Pass Definition? ›
: a special piece of paper that one must have in order to be allowed to get onto an airplane. Please present your boarding pass to the flight attendant.
What is the difference between a ticket and a boarding pass? ›The difference between a flight ticket and a boarding pass is how you use them. You use a flight ticket or E-ticket to check in at the check-in counter and get your boarding pass. With the boarding pass, you get access to the beyond the security area in the airport and the airplane.
Does boarding pass mean ticket? ›Is my boarding pass my ticket? Not technically. Your boarding pass is your “ticket” to board the plane, but technically your ticket is generated as an “e-ticket,” or an electronic ticket, when you book your flight. Your boarding pass will be generated upon check-in, either online or at the check-in counter.
Do I need to print a boarding pass if I have it on my phone? ›Can I use my mobile boarding pass to go through the security checkpoint and board my flight? Yes, simply show your mobile boarding pass on a mobile phone, iPad, or Apple Watch and a valid form of identification to the TSA Agent at security to proceed.
At what point do you get your boarding pass? ›Once you've checked-in for a flight the airline will provide you with your boarding pass.
What is boarding pass and how do you get it? ›- There are several ways to get a boarding pass. You can get it on the airline's website and print it on paper.
- Or pull it up on your phone in the airline's app.
- You can also print it at the airport.
To board the plane you need a boarding pass. You can check-in online and print your boarding pass before you arrive at the airport.
What happens after you get your boarding pass? ›Once you get your boarding pass, just scan the barcode on the screen at airport security checkpoints and at the gate during boarding for American flights.
What happens after boarding pass? ›Head to security.
Have both your boarding pass out and a form of ID - either your driver's license or your passport (it must be your passport if you're heading out of the country) - readily available. A TSA agent will check your boarding pass to your ID, and then you must successfully pass through the security check.
- Printable boarding pass. Print out this boarding pass at home and bring it with you to the airport. ...
- Mobile boarding pass. Download your boarding pass on your mobile phone using the QR code displayed on your screen after you check in.
Is it better to check-in online or at the airport? ›
The biggest benefit of checking in online is bypassing the lines at the airport. You can skip waiting in line to check in, then possibly–if the airline allows it for your flight–skip waiting in a second line to check your luggage, and instead head straight to security.
Can I just screenshot my boarding pass? ›If you received your physical boarding pass at a kiosk or check-in desk, you will not be able to use a screenshot of the paper pass to get through TSA or the gate. You can always get another pass printed if you lost the original. Is it possible to swap your boarding pass (seat) with someone on the same flight?
Do I need a boarding pass if I check-in online? ›All you need to board the plane is the ID document you used to check-in and your mobile device with the e-ticket or boarding pass.
How do you get your plane ticket if you bought it online? ›After purchasing your ticket online, download the file and print your ticket. Passengers can find their e-ticket files in the email sent to them. For domestic flights, passengers do not have to show their e-tickets at the security checkpoints.
How do you put on a boarding pass? ›- Open the email, app, or website with your boarding pass.
- Find your boarding pass. ...
- Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time, for a few seconds. ...
- On the “Screenshot saved” notification, tap Add to Google Pay. ...
- Tap Save.
- Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
- U.S. passport.
- U.S. passport card.
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
- Permanent resident card.
Boarding is the next step after completing your check-in. Passengers get into the aircraft after completing their check-in through websites, counters or kiosks. The difference between boarding and check-in is boarding is done vis-a-vis while check-in can be done through mobile phones.
Does each passenger need their own boarding pass? ›Does everyone need to have a copy of their own boarding pass? Yes, everyone needs a copy of their boarding pass prior to flying. You can print these separately or have them saved on the same mobile device.
Does each passenger need a boarding pass? ›In order to take a seat on the plane, every passenger must have a boarding pass (the ticket alone does not entitle you to board the plane!)
What happens if you don t check-in 24 hours before your flight? ›What happens in you don't check in for your flight? If you don't check in for your flight by the cut-off time, you may be denied boarding. The airline may bump you to the next available flight. If you are a no-show, you'll likely lose the value of your ticket.
What happens if I don't check-in online? ›
If you forget to check in online or forget or lose your boarding pass, you will still be allowed to travel. You will just have to check in as normal or have a new boarding card printed for you at the airport.
Do you check-in or go through security first at the airport? ›Airport Security:
Once you've checked in and handed over your luggage it will be time to go through the airport security.
You can also choose to have a link to your boarding pass emailed to your mobile device. Just display your boarding pass barcode on the screen of your device at the security checkpoint and when boarding your flight, and you're on your way.
How do online boarding passes work? ›Understanding Mobile Boarding Passes
A mobile boarding pass works just like a paper ticket. It contains your name, flight number and a QR code that can be scanned by TSA agents as well as by flight staff before you board the plane.
carry-ons affects which lines you have to wait in and for how long. For instance, if you aren't checking a bag, you can usually skip lines at the check-in counter and proceed directly to airport security with an electronic ticket. While you might get there more quickly, your bag choice might have other plans.
Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags? ›Carry-on bags shouldn't be larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including handles and wheels. Dimensions of personal items should not exceed 18 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8 inches high. There are no weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.
Why do I need to print my boarding pass? ›Printing your boarding pass is doubly important if you're traveling with your family. Every person needs to be accounted for with a ticket in hand at security and at the boarding gate, and that's just easier done with a piece of paper than on an app.
Do I need a paper ticket to fly? ›Paper tickets still exist!
It has nothing to do with the airline's quality or safety record. Paper tickets sometimes, but rarely, need to be used when combining more than one airline on the same ticket. This is becoming increasingly uncommon, but there are occasions where the best fare does require a paper ticket.
No. A boarding pass is a document (either paper or electronic) that shows a gate agent that you're allowed to board a plane for a particular flight. An e-ticket has a bunch of information that the gate agent doesn't need—including what you paid for the ticket and where you bought it.
Can I print my tickets before flying? ›You can print out your boarding pass prior to your arrival at the airport at home. You can also go to the airline's website and print out from there. You will need to enter the last name of the passenger traveling and confirmation number.