Ruth Haines
A boarding pass is a document that gives a passenger permission to board a plane. It is provided at check-in, either online or in person at a kiosk or check-in counter. It contains important information such as the legal name of the passenger, flight information, and a unique ticket number. Boarding passes may be printed or electronic, with the latter displaying on smartphones, smartwatches, or tablets. They contain barcodes or QR codes that can be scanned at security checkpoints and when boarding the plane.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A document that gives a passenger permission to board the plane. |
| Purpose | Allows passengers access to certain areas of the airport on the day of the flight. |
| Timing | Issued at check-in, either online or in person. |
| Contents | The legal name of the passenger, flight information (airline name, departure gate information, departure and arrival cities, flight numbers, departure time, boarding time, boarding group number, seat assignment), and a barcode or QR code for scanning. |
| Formats | Paper or mobile. |
| Check-in options | Check-in counters, online check-in, check-in machines, self-service kiosks, airline web check-in site. |
| Restrictions | Some airports may require a printed boarding pass signed by the airline. |
| Charges | Some airlines charge for printing out boarding passes at the airport. |
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What You'll Learn
Boarding pass vs. airline ticket
A boarding pass is a ticket that provides access to the airport, the airplane, and often a specific seat on the plane. It is issued when your flight booking is validated, a few hours before takeoff. It is usually issued at the airport counter or after online check-in.
A flight ticket, on the other hand, is a trade document that allows you to reserve your seat on a flight and make the payment with the airline. It includes the traveller's identity (name, contact details, etc.), flight references (name of the airline, round-trip date, destination, schedules, flight number, etc.), and other details. It is proof of your transaction with the airline and is received several months, weeks, or days before the flight.
Both documents are essential for a trip as you cannot board a plane without either of them. They are issued at different times, contain different information, and serve different purposes. While the flight ticket allows you to reserve a seat, the boarding pass confirms your intention to travel and assigns you a seat. The boarding pass also allows you access to certain areas of the airport on the day of the flight.
In the digital age, procedures have been digitised, and e-documents are becoming more common. E-tickets are now the norm, and paper tickets are no longer issued by airlines or travel agencies. Boarding passes can also be digital and are often sent to mobile phones. This increases traceability and is more economical and environmentally friendly. However, it is important to be vigilant about the device on which these documents are stored, as a battery or connection failure could cause issues.
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How to get a boarding pass
A boarding pass is an essential document that you need to access certain areas of the airport and to board the plane. It is usually issued to you when your flight booking is validated, a few hours before takeoff.
At the Airport
You can get your boarding pass at the airport by going to the check-in counter and presenting your ID and booking number. The check-in agent will print the boarding pass for you. Alternatively, you can print your own boarding pass at the airline's self-service kiosk.
Online Check-in
You can check in online through the airline's website or mobile app. If you check in using your computer, the airline will usually give you the option to email the boarding pass to yourself. You can then download it onto your mobile device. If you check in using the mobile app, the app will display your boarding pass as a QR code on your phone.
Kiosk Check-in
If you are unable to check in online, you can usually still use the mobile app at a self-service kiosk in the airport to print your boarding pass.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight to ensure you have enough time to check in and get through security. For domestic flights, 2 hours is usually sufficient, while for international flights, it is recommended to arrive 3 hours ahead of your flight.
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Boarding pass formats
A boarding pass is a document provided by an airline during airport check-in, giving a passenger permission to enter the restricted area of an airport and to board the plane for a particular flight. It is usually issued when the booking of a flight is validated, a few hours before takeoff.
The industry standard for boarding passes is the use of barcodes, which are used by over 200 airlines. The barcode standard, known as Bar Coded Boarding Pass (BCBP), defines the 2D barcode printed on paper boarding passes or sent to mobile phones for electronic boarding passes. The barcode contains data regarding the passenger's flight schedule and other details.
The barcode can be scanned by mobile phone applications to reveal names, dates of birth, source and destination airports, and the PNR locator code, which can be used to log in to the airline's website. Paper boarding passes are issued by agents at a check-in counter, self-service kiosks, or by the airline's web check-in site.
In terms of formatting, a boarding pass should include the passenger's details, the flight number, and the scheduled date and time of arrival and departure. It should also be designed with a clean layout, using appropriate font types and sizes to ensure a professional look. The use of white space and contrasting colours for the background and font can also improve the design.
Some airlines also include their company logo, photos of the destination, and other graphics on their boarding passes. Boarding pass templates are available online, which can be customised and printed on thick card stock or perforated ticket paper.
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Information contained in a boarding pass
A boarding pass is a document that gives a passenger permission to board a plane. It is provided by an airline during airport check-in and allows passengers to enter restricted areas of the airport. It is usually a rectangular piece of paper or a digital image.
A boarding pass contains essential flight and passenger information. This includes the passenger's legal name, flight number, date, scheduled time of departure, departure gate information, and seat number. It may also include the passenger's contact details, flight references (name of the airline, round-trip date, destination, schedules, etc.), and the passenger's boarding group number.
The boarding pass also contains a barcode or QR code, which includes the passenger's name, flight number, route, date, and a Passenger Name Record (PNR). The PNR is a six-digit alphanumeric code that can be used to access further personal information about the passenger, such as their frequent flyer account and passport number. The barcode or QR code allows for quick scanning of the pass at the boarding gate and can be printed or displayed on a smartphone.
In some cases, a boarding pass may also indicate details of any perks the passenger is entitled to, such as lounge access or priority boarding.
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Using a boarding pass at the airport
A boarding pass is a document that gives a passenger permission to board a plane. It is not the same as an airline ticket, which is proof of purchase of a flight or airfare. The airline ticket is a document that you buy in advance to reserve your seat on a particular flight.
The boarding pass is issued to you when your booking is validated, usually a few hours before take-off. It confirms your seat on the flight and gives specific information about your flight, such as the departure time, gate number, and boarding group. It also includes the legal name of the passenger, the airline name, departure and arrival cities, flight numbers, boarding time, and seat assignment (when applicable).
You can obtain your boarding pass by checking in online, at a check-in counter, or via a check-in machine. Online check-in is usually available 24 to 48 hours before the flight. After entering your details, you will receive a mobile boarding pass, which you can save on your smartphone or print out. Alternatively, you can check in at the airport and receive a paper boarding pass. If you lose your boarding pass, you can reprint it at the airport.
At the airport, you will need to present your boarding pass at security and again at the boarding gate. A mobile boarding pass can be scanned by a TSA agent or you may be asked to hold your phone over the scanner. A paper boarding pass will be scanned, and sometimes collected and counted by gate agents for a cross-check of passenger counts.
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Frequently asked questions
A boarding pass is a document that gives a passenger permission to board a plane. It is provided at check-in, either online or in person at a kiosk or check-in counter.
A boarding pass includes the legal name of the passenger and flight information, such as the airline name, departure gate information, departure and arrival cities, flight numbers, departure time, boarding time, boarding group number and seat assignment. It will also contain a barcode or QR code for scanning at the security checkpoint and when boarding the plane.
An airline ticket is proof of purchase of a flight, while a boarding pass is the passenger's identification to board the aircraft. The airline ticket is bought in advance to reserve a seat on a particular flight, while the boarding pass confirms your seat and gives specific information about your flight, such as the departure time, gate number and boarding group.
