Do airlines use paper tickets anymore?

Although not every airline worldwide is subject to IATA's rules, the vast majority are, and paper tickets are now virtually obsolete. The airline industry estimates that it will reduce costs by three billion U.S. dollars worldwide by eliminating paper tickets.



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Although not every airline worldwide is subject to IATA's rules, the vast majority are, and paper tickets are now virtually obsolete.

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Boarding passes are always required to board a flight. Often, airlines accept either paper or electronic boarding passes (on phone or tablet).

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I prefer paper boarding passes because it's easier and has fewer hassles, says Sue Fogwell, a former flight attendant with 22 years of experience. I don't always like to rely on my iPhone. On too many occasions, my battery is running dangerously low, or the gate is in a dead zone and I lose my signal.

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Have your boarding pass on your mobile device? It's important to remember that the TSA officer cannot accept a printed version of a mobile boarding pass because the technology doesn't recognize it. A mobile boarding pass must be on the phone.

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There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding which type of boarding pass is right for you — both work just fine. But when it comes to air travel, we like to play it safe, which is why we recommend printing out your boarding pass, too.

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You might show the ticket for your flight if the check-in agent can't find the booking record simply with your ID document. But you'll need to show a boarding pass on your phone to pass security and get on to a plane.

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A boarding pass will get you through the security lines, to the gate area, and onto your plane. An e-ticket won't, and is little more than a receipt. In many cases you don't even need the e-ticket to get checked-in and govt-issued ID will suffice.

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In 2008, IATA announced 100% of ticketing was electronic, which meant that airlines no longer needed to produce physical tickets. Starting in the late 1990s, passengers could check themselves in online and print out a boarding pass at home.

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The ticket is the commercial part of the flight (you buy a ticket and intend to go on a fixed flight). The boarding pass is the document you get right with your checkin at the airport (or online), and allows you to embark the plane. You must show the boarding pass at the gate when boarding.

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Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.
  • 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)


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You do not need to print your boarding pass once you have access to the Ryanair App unless you are departing from a Moroccan airport. If you do not have access to a printer, we can print it for you at the check-in desk, but you will be charged a boarding card reissue fee for each passenger. See our Table of Fees.

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TUI flights When you get to the airport, you can either show your mobile boarding passes, or a printout of the PDF. That said, mobile boarding passes aren't available on all routes – if they're not available, you'll need to print the PDF.

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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.

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In most cases, you will only need to go to check-in when you have checked-in online if you need to drop off an item of hold baggage. Please ensure that you are aware of the hand baggage requirements for your specific airline before you travel.

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This could be because some airports do not accept mobile boarding passes, or it may be unavailable for a number of other reasons, technical or otherwise. If this is the case, please collect your boarding pass at the airport. You can see which airports accept mobile boarding passes on our accepted boarding passes page.

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The confirmation number for an airline is a 6 character code comprising of letters and numbers. (Example: Airline Confirmation# A1B2C3) You will be able to print a within 24 hours prior to your departure. You can also typically print from airport kiosks at the airport when you arrive on your travel day.

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Print Your Ticket: Before heading to the airport, make sure you have a printed copy of your ticket or boarding pass. You can usually do this by accessing your airline's website or mobile app, locating your booking or reservation, and selecting the option to print your boarding pass.

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Boarding passes are provided directly by the airline after checking in for your flight. If the airline you're flying with offers online check-in 24 hours before departure time, you can usually print your boarding passes directly from the website or have them sent directly to your phone!

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Generally, a passenger with an electronic ticket will only need a boarding pass. If a passenger has a paper airline ticket, that ticket (or flight coupon) may be required to be attached to the boarding pass for the passenger to board the aircraft.

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