Boarding passes are an essential part of the air travel experience. To get on a plane, you'll need to have either a mobile boarding pass or a printed boarding pass, which you'll present to a gate agent at boarding.
These documents contain all sorts of important information about your travels, from your gate number to your seat number to your frequent flyer number. Whether you're a first-time flyer or a regular air traveler looking to decode this travel document, here's everything you need to know about boarding passes.
What is a boarding pass
A boarding pass is a travel document provided by an airline to a passenger at check-in. This document grants the passenger permission to board the aircraft. Every passenger on a plane must have a boarding pass in order to fly.
What does a boarding pass look like
There are two types of boarding passes: a paper boarding pass and a mobile (or digital) boarding pass. Paper boarding passes are typically printed on a rectangular slip of paper, and they include information about the passenger and their flight, as well as a barcode to be scanned at the gate during boarding.
Mobile boarding passes appear on smartphones, smartwatches or tablets. They also have information about the passenger and their flight, plus a QR code to be scanned at the gate during boarding. Boarding passes may look different between different airlines. And sometimes, paper boarding passes for the same airline may look different when they're printed out at different airports.
How to get a boarding pass
There are various ways to get a boarding pass. The process always starts with checking in; you must check in for your flight to be issued a boarding pass. If you check in online from home or your hotel, you will likely be offered a mobile boarding pass via the website or airline app.
In some cases, you might also be issued a PDF of a paper boarding pass, which you can print from anywhere. You can also get your boarding pass when you arrive at the airport, even if you check in online. Simply visit a self-service kiosk or your airline's check-in desk to print out your boarding pass.
Paper boarding pass vs mobile boarding pass
When it comes to choosing between a paper boarding pass and a mobile boarding pass, there are a few factors to consider. Some people prefer paper boarding passes in case their mobile device runs out of battery during their travels.
Others prefer mobile boarding passes so they don't have to keep track of a thin piece of paper. Ultimately, the choice between a paper and a mobile boarding pass comes down to personal preference.
How to print boarding pass
Do you need to print a boarding pass? If you already have a mobile boarding pass, it's not necessary to print out a paper boarding pass, too. But if you'd prefer a paper boarding pass, there are three main option to print them out:
- Print at home: If your airline sends you a PDF of your paper boarding pass, you can print this at home or at your hotel.
- Print at an airport self-service kiosk: Many airports have self-service kiosks in the departures hall. Locate the one for your airline, then scan your passport or enter your record locator (the six-digit alphanumeric booking code) or your e-ticket number to print out your paper boarding pass. You can also print bag tags for your checked luggage during this process.
- Print at a check-in desk at the airport: Head for the check-in desk, present your valid identification (like a passport or driver's license) and ask the agent to print out your paper boarding pass. You can visit the check-in desk even if you're not checking a bag.
If you've already gone through security and are on the airside of an airport, you can visit a help desk, the desk at your gate or an airline lounge (if you have access) to print out your boarding pass.
Ticket vs boarding pass
Is a boarding pass the same as a ticket? Technically, no, but it's a little complicated. Many travelers typically consider a ticket to be the document you present to board a form of transportation or to enter an attraction.
While that is the function of a boarding pass, an airline ticket is something separate. Airline tickets are issued electronically, which is why they're known as electronic tickets or e-tickets. E-tickets are usually issued by airlines to passengers at the time of booking, and they are something akin to a receipt.
You do not need your e-ticket to board a plane, but some travelers might need it for tax purposes or reimbursement from an employer. Boarding passes, on the other hand, are issued at the time of check-in, and they are required to board a flight.
Boarding pass codes
Boarding passes contain all the essential information you'll need for boarding your flight, typically including the following:
Boarding passes also contain barcodes or QR codes, which can be scanned to present an airline or airport staffer with your information digitally.
Additionally, boarding passes contain all sorts of codes and abbreviations, some of the most common of which are explained below:
| Abbreviation | Full Terminology | Definition | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSSS | Secondary Security Screening Selection | If this appears on your boarding pass, you've been selected for additional security screening. | |||
| ETKT | E-ticket number | Your actual ticket number issued by the airline | |||
| FTQV | Frequent traveler | Your frequent flyer number | |||
| PNR | Passenger name record | A six-digit alphanumeric code issued by the airline for your whole booking | |||
| SEQ/ SEQ NO | Sequence number | Indicates your boarding order | |||
What does SSSS mean on a boarding pass?
If you see SSSS on your boarding pass, you have been selected (sometimes randomly) for an additional security screening. This usually happens at your gate during boarding, though it can happen at airport security, too.
After a gate agent scans your boarding pass during boarding, you will likely be asked to step to the side for your additional security check.
Prepare to open all your bags for a manual search, which may include swabbing your electronic devices. This can increase the time it takes for you to board your flight.
Conclusion
Boarding passes are an essential part of air travel. You can't get on a plane without one! Whether you opt for a paper boarding pass or a mobile boarding pass, always be sure to have this travel document on your person when you're at the airport.
How this guide was created
I've been a travel writer for the better part of a decade, and I typically fly around 200,000 miles each year. This guide shares my experience interpreting hundreds of boarding passes over the years, as well as deep research into boarding pass terminology and codes.
