Where do I get my boarding pass after online check-in?

If you check in to your flight online, the airline will generate your boarding pass and share it with you via email. Most airlines will send you an email 24 hours before departure prompting you to check in online. To confirm whether your airline offers online check in, visit their website.



In 2026, obtaining your boarding pass after online check-in is more versatile than ever. Most travelers opt for a digital boarding pass, which is sent via email or available directly in the airline's mobile app; you can save this to your Apple or Google Wallet for easy access. If you prefer a physical copy, you have several options: you can print it at home before heading to the airport, or use a self-service kiosk (CUSS) once you arrive at the terminal by scanning your mobile's QR code or entering your PNR. For those with checked luggage, a "pro-tip" is that many airlines now offer self-service baggage drop (SSBD), where the kiosk prints both your bag tags and a physical boarding pass simultaneously. If you encounter any technical issues or are flying through an airport like Delhi (DEL) that uses DigiYatra, your face often acts as your boarding pass at biometric gates, though having the digital backup on your phone remains the global safety standard for 2026 travel.

People Also Ask

Boarding passes are provided directly by the airline after checking in for your flight. If the airline you're flying with offers online check-in 24 hours before departure time, you can usually print your boarding passes directly from the website or have them sent directly to your phone!

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Online check-in lets you check in from your home or office and print your own boarding pass. You can also choose to have a link to your boarding pass emailed to your mobile device.

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Your boarding pass will be generated upon check-in, either online or at the check-in counter.

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This could be because some airports do not accept mobile boarding passes, or it may be unavailable for a number of other reasons, technical or otherwise. If this is the case, please collect your boarding pass at the airport. You can see which airports accept mobile boarding passes on our accepted boarding passes page.

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Not usually necessary, no - though never does any harm to have it. May depend on airline, though. Again, depending on airline, you may be expected to check in online and print off a boarding card, or pay at the airport for check-in.

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Generally speaking, we like to err on the side of caution and suggest you print out your boarding pass, even if you already checked in online and have a mobile version on your phone.

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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 also go to the airline's website and print out from there. You will need to enter the last name of the passenger traveling and confirmation number. The confirmation number for an airline is a 6 character code comprising of letters and numbers.

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One disadvantage is certainly that many people have poor time management and arrive too late at the airport if they check in online. For some, this can lead to unwanted time pressure. On the other hand, those who still have to check in at the airport itself usually arrive early enough and are therefore over-punctual.

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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. To board your flight, scan your mobile boarding pass by holding one of the devices listed above with your pass facing the scanner.

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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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The difference between an electronic ticket and a boarding pass. Simply put, the difference between an electronic ticket and a boarding pass is that the electronic ticket is a confirmation that you have completed your purchase, and boarding pass is a document that allows you to board on the plane.

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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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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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For international flights, you're required to bring a passport. For domestic flights, you don't need to bring your passport but will need some form of government-issued identification. Some airlines will allow you to bring two pieces of non-photo identification that match the name and date of birth on your reservation.

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You will get your boarding pass when you check-in for your flight online or at the airport. You will sometimes find direct links to the airline's website along with your airline reference number in your confirmation e-mail. Once logged in you will be able to check-in online and print your boarding pass.

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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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Tips on traveling with liquids limit The limit is one bag per person. Typically, travelers put their toiletries in the bag such as shampoo, hair products, make-up and toothpaste. Individuals who want to pack their large bottle of shampoo or full-size toothpaste should pack those items in their checked bags.

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The purpose of checking-in is to receive your boarding pass. A few years ago, you had to present your ID and booking confirmation at the airport to receive your boarding pass. Now, thanks to online check-in, you can do this in advance from the comfort of your home. However, you should also be aware of a few things.

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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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