Do you need a paper copy of plane ticket?

Depending on the requirements of airport authorities, you will need to present a mobile boarding pass, a paper boarding pass printed out by you or a paper boarding pass picked up from the check-in desk.



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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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Since 2008, it has been mandatory for all IATA member airlines to issue e-tickets (although some continued to offer paper tickets, usually for a fee). At the time, IATA estimated that the move to fully electronic ticketing could save the industry over $3 billion each year.

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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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Show Your eTicket Open the eTicket on your mobile device and show the barcode to the conductor. You can even print your eTicket before you arrive at the station.

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Can I use my mobile boarding pass to go through the security checkpoint and board my flight? Yes, simply show your mobile boarding pass on a mobile phone, iPad, or Apple Watch and a valid form of identification to the TSA Agent at security to proceed.

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You can use your mobile boarding pass at most airports. Before you leave, check to see if your departure or connecting airports accept mobile boarding passes: Does my airport accept mobile boarding passes? Find your airport, then look under 'Airport details' to see if mobile boarding passes are available.

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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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No. A boarding pass is a document (either paper or electronic) that shows a gate agent that you're allowed to board a plane for a particular flight. An e-ticket has a bunch of information that the gate agent doesn't need—including what you paid for the ticket and where you bought it.

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At the gate, e-ticket passengers need only show a valid photo identification card such as a driver's license to claim their spot on the aircraft. Once the airline confirms the traveler's information, it issues a boarding pass that the traveler uses to board the plane.

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If you're already checking a bag, though, you should go ahead and ask the agent to print out a copy of your boarding pass. A printed boarding pass is also a good place for an agent to stick your checked bag receipt — if you're using a mobile pass, you'll have to hang onto the receipt separately.

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Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

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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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Meanwhile, a paper ticket won't tell you when your flight is canceled. Plus, a poorly printed boarding pass can render your ticket useless at the gate. Hoeller points out that printing a paper ticket and neatly folding it into your passport is much easier than juggling between your personal items and phone.

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If you received your physical boarding pass at a kiosk or check-in desk, you will not be able to use a screenshot of the paper pass to get through TSA or the gate. You can always get another pass printed if you lost the original. How common is it to miss a flight even after getting the boarding pass?

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Can I go straight to TSA if I checked in online? Once you receive your electronic boarding pass, you can head straight to security if you're traveling carry-on only. If you're checking a bag, you'll still need to stop by the ticketing area at the airport.

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If you can't tap your phone at the ticket reader:
  1. Open the Google Wallet app .
  2. Scroll up to find your ticket. Tickets for upcoming events may show in the “Important” section of Wallet.
  3. Tap the ticket.
  4. Show the barcode or QR code on your phone so the attendant can scan it.


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Add a ticket to Google Wallet
  1. You can buy your ticket through any of the following: The app or website of a participating airline or venue. A ticket broker app or website.
  2. After you check out, tap Add to Google Wallet. Add. If you don't have the Google Wallet app installed, you're prompted to download it.


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There are very few disadvantages of E-Ticketing, which are as follows:
  • E-ticketing charges extra for the online services.
  • Your personal information is shared on the website and is vulnerable in a scenario of a data breach in that website or company.


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