Yes, in 2026, everyone must have a boarding pass to clear security and board a commercial flight, including infants and passengers who do not have a reserved seat (like lap children). The boarding pass is the legal proof that a passenger has checked in and is authorized to be on that specific aircraft. While the "physical" paper boarding pass is still available, the 2026 standard is the Digital Boarding Pass stored in a smartphone wallet or a dedicated airline app. For infants under two years old who are traveling on a parent's lap, a "lap child" boarding pass is still issued to ensure the crew has an accurate manifest for weight, balance, and emergency safety counts. Some high-tech airports in 2026 are trialing "Biometric Boarding," where your face serves as your boarding pass at the gate; however, you still need to have a digital pass generated in the system to "link" your biometrics to your flight record. Without a valid boarding pass, a person is prohibited from entering the "sterile" area of an airport terminal.
Yes, in 2026, every passenger, including infants and children, must have a valid boarding pass to enter the secure area of the airport and board an aircraft. Even if you are a "lap infant" (under age 2), the airline must issue a boarding document to account for every soul on the manifest for safety and weight-and-balance purposes. While the format of the boarding pass has shifted significantly toward digital QR codes stored in mobile wallets or airline apps, the document remains the legal proof of your right to fly. For international travel, the boarding pass is linked to your passport and any required digital visas or travel authorizations. Some airports are moving toward "biometric boarding" where your face acts as your pass, but the underlying digital boarding record must still exist in the system. Without this pass, security will not allow you through the checkpoint, as it serves as the final verification of your identity and your confirmed seat on a specific flight.