What is the boarding pass number?

The six-digit alphanumeric code that appears on your boarding pass is your PNR, or Passenger Name Reference—also known as your record locator, reservation code, or booking code.



There is no single "boarding pass number," as a boarding pass is a collection of several different identification codes. The most important number on your 2026 boarding pass is the Electronic Ticket Number (eTkt), which is a 13-digit code usually found near the bottom or side of the pass. This is the legal record of your fare. Another critical code is the PNR or Booking Reference, a 6-character alphanumeric string used to find your reservation in the system. You will also see a Sequence Number (SEQ), which indicates the order in which you checked in for the flight (e.g., SEQ 001 means you were the first person to check in). On many 2026 digital boarding passes, you might also find a Barcode Data string if you scan it with a third-party app, which contains all your flight data in a standardized IATA format. When a gate agent asks for your "number," they are usually referring to the Sequence Number or your Seat Number; however, for official customer service issues, the 13-digit Ticket Number is the only one that uniquely identifies your specific purchase across all airline systems.

People Also Ask

The difference between a flight ticket and a boarding pass is how you use them. You use a flight ticket or E-ticket to check in at the check-in counter and get your boarding pass. With the boarding pass, you get access to the beyond the security area in the airport and the airplane.

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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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To check in with an e-ticket you only need to provide a valid passport (for international flights) or government issued ID (domestic flights) so the agent can pull up your record in their system. The check-in agent then provides your boarding pass to take to the gate.

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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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Many airlines will also show your confirmation number on the screen just after you've booked, even before an email is sent, and the code will also be on your boarding pass once you've checked in. If you have any trouble finding it, call the airline.

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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 check in procedure is complete when it's complete. If you have no hold luggage and check in online, check in is complete when you print your boarding pass. If you check in online and have hold luggage, it's complete once the airline has accepted your luggage.

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A boarding pass is a document provided by an airline during check-in giving a passenger permission to board the airplane for a particular flight. At a minimum, it identifies the passenger, the flight number, and the date and scheduled time for departure. Boarding passes are always required to board a flight.

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Can I fly with a screenshot of a boarding pass? Yes you can fly and Airway opearator agent will scan the code present in the boarding pass.

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How to add a boarding pass, ticket, or other pass to Apple Wallet on your iPhone
  1. Open the app, email, notification, or other communication that contains your boarding pass, ticket, or other pass.
  2. Tap Add to Apple Wallet.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  4. If necessary, tap Add in the upper right corner.


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If you need some assistance, agents can generate passes at the check-in counter as well as the departure gate. For fans of digital passes, it's also possible to pull up a mobile boarding pass via an airline's app or an emailed PDF.

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When flying, print your boarding pass as early as possible. Checking in early saves your seat and prevents getting bumped to a different flight. About 24 hours prior to your flight, your airline will email you saying that it's time to check in.

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