We all miss traveling to our loved ones and making merry with them. However, amid the pandemic, you must consider travel restrictions and new travel protocols before embarking on a journey. One constant despite the pandemic is needing a boarding pass. You need a boarding pass to guarantee you access to your mode of transport, preferably air transport. However, since a lot goes into planning a trip, we guide you through the essentials of the boarding pass and how to get one lest you forget to include it in your travel plan.
What is a Boarding Pass?
A boarding pass is a document that gives a passenger permission to board the plane and access some restricted areas of the airport. The boarding pass essentially contains your seat number, name, flight times, and special perks such as lounge benefits. Airlines issue boarding passes at the airport or source one online.
What is A Boarding Pass Template?
When preparing your boarding pass, it would be best if you did not start from scratch. A boarding pass template is a pre-designed form you fill with the essentials of a boarding pass, print it, and use it at the airport. However, you can save the soft copy too and reprint it if you lose it before the flight. Custom boarding pass templates are available from airline websites and different web platforms.
Boarding Pass Templates & Examples
Essential Elements of a Boarding Pass Template
At the minimum, a good boarding pass template contains:
- Your name, usually the surname and first name.
- Customizable airline logo.
- Flight destination and origin.
- Seat information
- A bar or QR code
- Date and flight time
When sifting through templates online, check whether it has the above essentials. Locations of each section can vary from airline to airline. Some airlines include additional details such as boarding group information in the boarding pass.
How to Get the Boarding Pass
Protocol dictates you arrive at the airport an hour or two before flight departure and notify the airline of your health condition and confirm your booking details. You can get your boarding pass online or at the airport.
Once you check-in online at the self-service kiosk or in the airline web platform, you will enter your name or reference number, and the itinerary will appear on the screen. Counter-check the boarding pass details and save the document. You can then print it or save a soft copy on your phone.
Note: You still need to check in your luggage at the boarding gate despite obtaining the boarding pass. Ensure all details are in order before boarding the plane.
Printing Your Boarding Pass Online (Process)
- Log in to your airline account using the details you’ll receive in your email after purchasing a ticket.
- Double-check the seat number and confirm the itinerary. Ensure flight times are correct too. Correct any erroneous entries.
- Print your boarding pass using the instructions on your airline account.
Tip: Set your printer to borderless or the scale to 100 to ensure you do not shrink the pass.
You can also save the soft copy and present it at the airport. Always ensure you have the correct details in your boarding pass.
Printing Your Boarding Pass at the Airport (Process)
- Locate the service kiosk of your airline at the airport. Ensure you have your identification details or the credit card you purchased a ticket with.
- Swipe the credit card or passport to obtain the boarding pass. There’s no charge on your credit card.
- Select the seat(s) you want. You can even upgrade or downgrade your sitting position.
- Counter-check the boarding pass details and print them.
Invitation Boarding Passes
Invitation boarding passes are gift passes you send to someone to invite them to an event. Usually, you send invitation passes to a group of friends or friends you intend to travel with. However, you can send them the passes as gateways to your wedding, birthday, or graduation reception destination. You include the standard details of a boarding pass and customize them with the event’s theme.
FAQs
How long does it take to get a boarding pass?
Airports have a self-service kiosk that you quickly source your boarding pass in a matter of minutes. However, it is good practice to get the boarding pass an hour before the flight leaves.
How do I retrieve my boarding pass?
If you have lost or require a past boarding pass, contact the airline to have them send you an electronic copy or print a new one at the spot. Head over to the airline customer service desk and request another boarding pass.
What is the difference between a ticket and a boarding pass?
An airline ticket books you the space in a plane. However, a boarding pass grants you access to the plane. You present your ticket at the airline to get a boarding pass some hours before the flight.
What is a mobile boarding pass?
The mobile boarding pass is on your mobile phone instead of the paper document.
Can I send a boarding pass to another phone?
Boarding passes are unique, and airlines discourage sharing them for security reasons. Remember what transpired with former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott when he shared his boarding pass?
Can I carry a soft copy of the boarding pass?
Most airlines have an app where you can source your boarding pass with ease or present the soft copy form.
Why does my boarding pass say see agent?
It means you need to get a seat assignment from the boarding agent at the gate. “See agent” is usually written when the flight is oversold.
Key Takeaways
Boarding passes grant you access to the plane boarding area. Check-in hours before flight departure to ensure you have your boarding pass.
You can get a boarding pass online or at the airport. Use the self-service kiosk at the airport or ask the airline to provide you with a boarding pass. When printing your pass at home, ensure you do not stretch or shrink the document.
