TSA performs an ID check at the security checkpoint. Anyone showing false ID to a TSA employee is breaking a federal law. Furthermore, attempts to travel with someone else's boarding pass are also potentially illegal - although the law here is a little bit more unclear.

No, you cannot use someone else's boarding pass to travel, and attempting to do so is a serious security violation that can lead to being denied boarding, facing fines, or even arrest. A boarding pass is a legal document tied to a specific traveler's identification and reservation record. In 2026, airports utilize advanced biometric scanning and identity verification systems that match the person standing at the gate with the digital data associated with the ticket. If the name on the boarding pass does not exactly match your government-issued ID (or your facial/fingerprint scan), security and airline staff will immediately intervene. If you need to change the passenger on a flight, you must contact the airline to perform a formal "Name Change" or "Ticket Transfer," which often incurs a fee and is only allowed on certain fare types. Using another person's pass is considered a fraudulent attempt to bypass security protocols designed to ensure that only vetted and authorized individuals board the aircraft.