Mobile Boarding Pass: How Does an Electronic Boarding Pass Work?

Aside from reducing waste and helping the environment, electronic tickets benefit travelers in many ways. For starters, ‌a mobile boarding pass is a lot easier to keep track of than a paper ticket, as long as you don’t lose your phone‌. Mobile boarding passes also can save on valuable travel time, because unless you have checked baggage, you no longer need to collect a ticket at the counter or self-service kiosk. Phone in hand, you can head straight to the TSA security checkpoint with the barcode to scan.

Whether you’re flying international and have a Delta e boarding pass or are looking to simplify your next Southwest Airlines check-in, electronic tickets allow you to use your mobile phone instead of a paper boarding pass. ‌Quick, efficient and hassle-free, mobile boarding passes are making air travel easier on passengers and the environment‌ because of online check-in.

A mobile boarding pass works just like a paper ticket. ‌It contains your name, flight number and a QR code that can be scanned by TSA agents as well as by flight staff before you board the plane.‌ Similar to a paper pass, you will still need government-issued identification, whether it’s for a Southwest Airlines check-in or an international flight to Australia. The most common forms of accepted identification for domestic travel include a driver’s license, passport or military ID.

Airlines let you collect your mobile boarding pass differently. With JetBlue, for example, passengers should download the airline’s app to their phone where they can check in, access their ticket through the mobile app, and even select a seat. The app, which is also available in Spanish, can be scanned at U.S. airports as well as in a few places abroad with your iphone or screenshot of your ticket.

Southwest Airlines check-in is similar, and ‌mobile boarding passes can be downloaded in the Southwest app or saved to your smartphone.‌ Travelers can use their electronic boarding pass from their email or text message link notification and download it to the wallet app in ios.

Some international airlines also offer e-tickets, such as Lufthansa and Emirates. The Delta e boarding pass is popular with travelers and can be used at airports all around the world. For frequent flyers who may not always have access to a printer, the Delta e-boarding pass makes checking in for flights a seamless process.

All airlines will let you know if mobile boarding passes are available, usually in your confirmation email. If you’re not sure whether the airports you’re traveling through have scanners for QR codes (most U.S. airports do), American Airlines has published a list on their website.

Keep a few things in mind when using your mobile boarding pass to ensure hassle-free travel. First, you will need data or a Wi-Fi connection to access your ticket. ‌Ensure you’re checked in and have your pass downloaded to your phone before arriving at the airport.‌ It’s also best to increase the display brightness on your mobile device because a brighter screen makes it easier for the scanner to read the QR code at the check-in counter.

If you end up having issues with your mobile boarding pass at the airport, don’t worry. Airline staff can assist you with anything from connecting flights to printed boarding passes in case the mobile pass isn’t working, so you can continue with your trip.