Boarding Pass: What It Is and How to Get It

Being aware of what documents are required prior to a trip by air makes the journey so much easier. A boarding pass is undoubtedly one of the most essential travel documents. If you are flying for the first time or are a frequent air traveller knowing what the boarding pass is, how you can obtain, and why it is important can save you a lot of stress at the airport. A boarding pass is not an airline ticket, many people equate it with one. You have made your booking is proven with the help of an airline ticket and on the other hand you get access to secure area and boarding at the airport because of the boarding pass. Continue reading this guide to get necessary information about boarding pass.

Quick Answer: The Essentials of Your Boarding Pass

A boarding pass is the paper or electronic authorization that lets you go through the airport security system and on board the particular flight you are asking to board. Whether you check in online through the airline's website or application (typically available 24-48 hours before your flight), by self-service kiosk or at the airline counter with an agent, there are several ways of doing it. It will include your name, your flight information, your seat assignment, your boarding group, your gate number and your departure time. It is required for passing through the security checkpoint or boarding the aircraft, even if you've made a confirmed and paid up reservation. Consider your ticket as a receipt that you purchased a seat, and consider this document as your key to using your ticket purchase.

Airline Ticket vs. Boarding Pass: What's the Difference?

This is likely one of the most confused aspects that travellers face and it requires to be dealt with correctly. Although it's common to use the words interchangeably in everyday speech, an airline ticket isn't the same as a boarding pass.

Airline Tickets

Airline ticket is a receipt of purchase. When you purchase a seat on a given flight, it's the record that proves it. It usually contains and features:

• Confirms your booking with the airline
• Has your booking reference number
• Displays your journey, travel dates and fare class
• Released as soon as you've paid; usually days to weeks, or even months before your trip.
• Does not assure a certain seating or gate place
• Cannot be used on its own to pass through airport security

To put it simply, your ticket states that you have paid for a seat on this flight. It does not state "I am ready to be onboard now.

Boarding Pass

Boarding pass, on the other hand, is issued much nearer the day of travel, when you check-in for flight. It represents something else: "I have checked in, and this is where and when it comes time to board.

• Only given after check in (online, app, kiosk, counter)
• Includes your seat, gate and boarding time
• Must undergo security screening.
• Asked again at boarding gate, before getting on the aircraft
• May be a printable copy or mobile version that is downloaded to your smart phone

The airlines "design" the airlines boarding pass system this way because when it comes time to check-in, they need to finalize seating, handle runaway passes, verify headcounts and allocate gates; none of which can be done at the moment of ticket purchasing.

An Essential Complementarity

The one that is most important: They seem to be a pair of documents that usually cannot do without each other and are used together instead of separately.

• Your ticket is proof that you purchased a place to sit.
• The boarding card means that you're on the plane, and you've been approved to use that seat today.
• Upon entering airport security, you'll generally have to present a valid photo ID and a boarding pass.
• At the gate staff check your boarding pass again just before boarding the jet bridge.

If you don't have a ticket then there is no reservation. No boarding pass, no entry into and out of security nor on to a plane even if you are definitely booked. They're a combined package, where one indicates your purchase and the other indicates your presence.

What Information is on My Boarding Pass?

Most airlines have a fairly consistent layout, as it's organized around information that security and gate personnel require to scan for quick checking, regardless of whether they have printed or electronic version of it on their phone. Typically, what you will see is:

• Passenger name: Exactly as shown on the ID or passport issued by their government as this is where it could be a problem at security.
• Flight number: This is the number that is used to identify your flight which includes the airline code and a number.
• Departure and arrival airports: Typically given in three letter IATA codes, e.g. JFK for New York airport and LHR for London airport.
• Date and boarding time: The boarding time is less than the offloading time, it is 30-45 mins earlier, and is the time to be seated and stowed before the door.
• Gate number: This may change so be sure to check airport displays even after you're checked in ? they happen often.
• Seat number: If you paid a more cost effective fare (no assigned seat) you may spot a boarding group instead.
• Boarding group or zone: Passengers board the aircraft in groups to travel in an orderly fashion and your group number indicates when to board.
• Barcode or QR code: This is scanned at the security check and at the gate and is connected directly to the airline's reservation system.
• Frequent flyer number: If you have information about your Loyalty Program included, they may be also listed, with some programs offering priority boarding or access to lounge facilities depending on membership.

A few airlines may also include your baggage allowance, boarding sequence number, or a fare class code; all this depends on the airline. Things get harder to fix the closer you get to takeoff, so it's better to indicate something is off; such as a misspelled name, wrong date or incorrect seat; to the airline staff before you even reach security.

Flight Cancelled or Delayed: What is the Purpose of My Boarding Pass

An unexpected message saying ?Delayed? or ?Cancelled? on the departure board is a stressful time. But your airlines boarding pass is still very important document and it is very important for you to know about its importance.

Rather than throwing it out in frustration, here is why you should hold on to it:

• Proof of travel intent: It's your boarding pass letting airline staff and passengers know that you were a confirmed, checked-in traveler for that particular flight when you are rebooked or receive compensation.
• Rebooking reference: These important passenger information details from your original boarding pass, such as the flight number, flight reference, seat class, are often used by airline staff to speed up the process of a new booking on a different flight.
• Compensation claims: Many countries have aviation laws that mandate the airline's reimbursement for cancellations or long delays. Your boarding pass will provide documentation when you file these claims, in addition to your ticket.
• Lounge or amenity access: In case you're given meal vouchers, hotel accommodation or lounge access as part of the long wait the airline, they will likely look for your boarding pass when you reach the counter.
• Insurance claims: In case you have opted for travel insurance, you'll be able to provide your boarding pass as supporting evidence should you have to make a claim for a missed connection or delay expenses.

The general idea is: If flight is cancelled or delayed, don't throw away the boarding ticket right after it happened! Hold both physical document and a photo or screen shot of the same until the trip is complete, reimbursed or rebooked.unded, or rebooked.

Why Choose TripMozzo in Case of a Cancelled or Delayed Flight?

Even the most well-planned trips can get disrupted during a flight. When there are delays and cancellations, you will not know exactly what to do, if you don't even know what options you have. TripMozzo is trying to make this easier by supplying travelers with useful flight disruptions related information and advice. Some of the reasons why you should choose us are as follows: 

• Real-time flight status alerts: Be warned of a flight change as soon as it happens, and stay on top of things where you're waiting at the gate.
• Simplified rebooking assistance: We explain all your rebooking possibilities in a straightforward way without you taking part in long queues of the airlines.
• Compensation guidance: We help you understand what compensation you may be entitled to and how you can go about claiming it.
• 24/7 customer support: Flight issues are not confined to office hours, nor are we! Our support team is available on a 24/7 basis.

With the help of TripMozzo you will get timely assistance and updates whenever your flight gets delayed or cancelled.