A boarding pass is the travel document issued after you check in that allows you to pass security and board your flight. It identifies you, your flight, seat, and boarding group, and is scanned at the gate to confirm you’re authorised to board.
Learn More About the Definition of "Boarding Pass"
Boarding passes can be digital (mobile wallet/app) or paper. Typical fields include passenger name, flight number, date, departure/arrival airports, boarding time, gate, seat, boarding group/zone, booking reference (PNR), and bar/QR code.
While not a legal contract itself, the boarding pass proves check-in and intended travel. For disrupted flights, it’s one of the most useful pieces of evidence when assessing eligibility under EU261/UK261 (together with your booking confirmation).
When does a Boarding Pass matter?
Your boarding pass is relevant in several situations:
- Airport access & security: Needed to enter airside and to board at the gate.
- Seat & boarding priority: Shows seat assignment and zone/group, which affect boarding order.
- Disruption evidence: Helps verify you were checked in for a specific flight/time — useful for delay, cancellation, denied boarding or missed connection assessments.
- Baggage tracking: Links your checked bags to your itinerary via barcode/PNR.
- Re-routing: When airlines rebook you, a new boarding pass confirms the replacement flight details.
Why it matters?
Keeping your boarding pass (or at least a photo/screenshot) can strengthen a future compensation claim by proving check-in, route, and timing. It helps us match your case to operational records and speeds up the airline’s assessment under EU261/UK261.
How does AireClaim help with a Flight Claim?
If you’ve had a disruption, AireClaim guides you on which documents to upload, including your boarding pass and booking confirmation. We verify eligibility, handle the airline communication, and, if necessary, escalate legally — you pay a success fee only if we win.
You only pay a success fee if we win.
- Start here: Check eligibility & start your flight claim
- Read more: Passenger Rights under EU261
FAQs about What is a Boarding Pass
Digital passes are widely accepted. If the app fails or your phone dies, airports can print one at check-in. We recommend saving a screenshot of your mobile pass before heading to the gate.
Usually yes. Provide your booking confirmation, itinerary, and any gate/boarding photos or emails. Airlines can verify passenger manifests, but a pass (or screenshot) helps speed things up.