What to do after I get my boarding pass?

Once you get your boarding pass, just scan the barcode on the screen at airport security checkpoints and at the gate during boarding for American flights.



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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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What to Do After Online Check-In. 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. Look for special “bag drop” lines that bypass longer check-in lines.

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What to Do After Online Check-In. 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. Look for special “bag drop” lines that bypass longer check-in lines.

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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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Online Check-in It's usually in the same document as your boarding pass. Normally, you will need to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time if you have baggage to check for an international flight.

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It's okay not to have a printed copy of your e-ticket when boarding. Most people have these on their phone and they mainly board by just scanning the barcode. Best to avoid killing any more trees and just go the digital way.

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Is my boarding pass my ticket? Not technically. Your boarding pass is your “ticket” to board the plane, but technically your ticket is generated as an “e-ticket,” or an electronic ticket, when you book your flight. Your boarding pass will be generated upon check-in, either online or at the check-in counter.

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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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If you don't check in, you won't receive a boarding pass that allows you to board the plane, and your seat might be given up to a standby passenger. The check-in process also confirms your traveler details like your passport information and frequent flyer number.

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Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight. That said, there are many factors to consider that will help you decide how much time you should budget for at the airport.

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This will give you enough time to check in, check your baggage, go through airport security, and relax before your flight. If you are not checking bags or flying domestically, you must arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure.

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9 ways to avoid airport lines
  1. Check in online. ...
  2. Ditch checked baggage for a carry-on. ...
  3. Skip the longer lines with TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. ...
  4. Avoid peak travel days. ...
  5. Consider alternate airports. ...
  6. Get elite status for airlines. ...
  7. Understand TSA rules. ...
  8. Be prepared for COVID-19 requirements.


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The biggest benefit of checking in online is bypassing the lines at the airport. You can skip waiting in line to check in, then possibly–if the airline allows it for your flight–skip waiting in a second line to check your luggage, and instead head straight to security.

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How early should you arrive at the airport? Airlines generally recommend arriving at the airport at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight.

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In-person at a staffed check-in counter at airport
  1. Passport (when traveling internationally)
  2. Flight information. Paper ticket (less and less common), OR. E-ticket with a confirmation number—usually sent via email if ticket is purchased online or through a travel agency, OR. Printed itinerary with a confirmation number.


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Most airlines cutoff checkin at 30 minutes prior to the flight. That gives time for you to get a boarding pass and get to the gate after security screening, and for checked luggage to get loaded on your aircraft. At that point, seat control shifts to the gate agent who can start releasing seats to standby passengers.

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Those who go through the check-in process as early as possible have the best selection of seats that are available. If you wait for check-in at the airport, you're stuck with the remaining seats, which are often the least-desirable locations on the plane.

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Online check-in: advantages and tips
  • Online check-in can save time and hassle at the airport.
  • Check-in timeframes vary by airline and departure airport.
  • Passengers can choose seats and meal preferences.
  • Boarding passes can be printed or saved on mobile devices.
  • Baggage drop-off may still be required at the airport.


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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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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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Save valuable time with your mobile boarding pass: if you are travelling with carry-on baggage only, you can go straight to security and then proceed to your gate.

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