Is air ticket number the same as booking reference number?

A booking reference number is different from an e-Ticket number. A booking reference number is usually labeled as a 'PNR number', otherwise known as a 'Passenger Name Record'. It consists of both numbers and letters. You can have several booking numbers if there are separate bookings or stopovers.



No, an Air Ticket Number and a Booking Reference (PNR) are two entirely different identifiers. The Booking Reference (also called a Record Locator or PNR) is a 6-character alphanumeric code (e.g., AB12C3) that identifies your specific reservation in the airline's system; it is what you use to "Manage Booking" or check-in online. The Air Ticket Number is a 13-digit numeric code starting with the airline's specific 3-digit prefix (e.g., 001 for American, 016 for United). The ticket number is the actual "proof of payment" and legal contract of carriage; while you can have a PNR for a "reserved" seat, you do not have a ticket until this 13-digit number is issued. In 2026, most digital itineraries list both, but if you are ever asked for your "e-ticket number" at a customs kiosk or for a refund, you must look for the long numeric string, not the short six-character code.

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A booking reference number is different from an e-Ticket number. A booking reference number is usually labeled as a 'PNR number', otherwise known as a 'Passenger Name Record'. It consists of both numbers and letters. You can have several booking numbers if there are separate bookings or stopovers.

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The ticket number is a 13-digit number that you will find on your passenger receipt as well as on your boarding pass. The ticket number shown on your passenger receipt is often separated by a hyphen.

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Many passengers wonder: “Are an airline ticket and a boarding pass the same thing?” No, an airline ticket and a boarding pass are not the same thing. An airline ticket is proof of purchase of a flight or airfare, while a boarding pass is the passenger's identification to board the aircraft.

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It consists of 6 numbers and letters, e.g. YBIRI7, and the letters are always written in BLOCK LETTERS. If a flight is booked online, air travelers usually receive the booking code immediately after the booking is completed.

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Booking reference It is also known as a Record/Booking Locator (or RecLoc), PNR Code, confirmation number or reference number. It can be found on your tickets, booking confirmation or travel documentation. Our booking reference is a six digit alphanumeric combination.

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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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You shouldn't need to but it is wise to do so in case you have a problem with your phone at the airport. When you do save your boarding card to your phone, always ensure you have offline access to it on your home screen. Not only will you have immediate access but it may save you incurring data roaming charges.

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For a short-haul flight where you are only taking hand luggage, checking in online saves a lot of time and is therefore much better than checking in at the airport. If, on the other hand, you have to check in bulky luggage, it is better to use the classic check-in at the airport for security reasons.

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A reservation has two important numbers to it – the confirmation number (or PNR/Record Locator) and the ticket number(s). You can have one reservation with three people on it and because you only have one reservation, you also only have one confirmation number. However, everyone needs their own ticket number.

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You can get it on the airline's website and print it on paper. Or pull it up on your phone in the airline's app. You can also print it at the airport.

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A PNR code is unique to your journey. While the flight number will remain the same if you book the same combination of airlines and places, the PNR number will change every time you book a fresh ticket. It can be used to manage your booking, retrieve a digital copy of your ticket, cancel your ticket, and more.

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