Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Most travelers do not need to print an airline ticket in the traditional sense. Airlines normally store the ticket electronically after purchase. The document you may need to print is the boarding pass, which usually becomes available after you check in for the flight.
The exact process depends on the airline, departure airport, route, and travel-document requirements. Some airlines accept both paper and mobile boarding passes, while others use digital-only systems or require an airport agent to verify documents before issuing a pass.
Quick Answer
Retrieve your booking on the operating airline’s website or app, complete online check-in when it opens, and select the option to view, download, or print your boarding pass. Print it on clean A4 or US Letter paper without cropping the barcode. Check the airline’s policy first because some flights use digital-only passes or require airport document verification.
Key Takeaways
- An e-ticket, booking confirmation, itinerary, and boarding pass are different documents.
- You normally receive the boarding pass only after completing check-in.
- Check-in windows, deadlines, paper-pass rules, and airport options vary by airline and route.
- The barcode must be complete, clear, and free from folds, clipping, or ink streaks.
- A boarding pass does not replace a passport, visa, transit authorization, or other required travel document.
- Save a digital backup even when you plan to carry a printed pass.
At a Glance
| Time Required | About 5–10 minutes after online check-in becomes available |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Tools Needed | Airline website or app, booking reference, traveler’s last name, and a printer if paper passes are accepted |
| Cost | Usually no extra cost at home; airport or third-party printing fees may apply |
Airline Ticket vs. Boarding Pass: What Do You Print?
Before opening your reservation, identify which document you need. The terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they serve different purposes.
| Document | What It Does | Do You Need to Print It? |
|---|---|---|
| E-ticket | The airline’s electronic record showing that transportation was purchased. | Usually no. It remains in the airline’s reservation system. |
| Booking confirmation | Shows the reservation code, itinerary, passengers, and purchase details. | Optional, but useful as a backup or proof of the reservation. |
| Itinerary receipt | Lists flight segments, fare information, taxes, and payment details. | Optional unless needed for records, reimbursement, or entry documentation. |
| Boarding pass | Contains the scannable code and flight information used at security and boarding where required. | Print it only when paper passes are accepted and you prefer or need a physical copy. |
Note: Buying a ticket does not automatically check you in. The boarding pass usually becomes available only after check-in opens and you complete any required questions or document checks.
Accessing Your Reservation
Use the official website or mobile app of the airline operating your flight. You will usually need the passenger’s last name and one of the following:
- Airline confirmation or record-locator code
- E-ticket number
- Frequent-flyer account
- Credit card used for the booking, when supported by the airline
- Open the airline’s official website or app. Avoid links in unexpected messages and confirm that you are using the correct airline domain.
- Select “Manage trip,” “My trips,” or a similar option.
- Enter the booking reference and passenger’s last name.
- Review the operating airline. On a codeshare itinerary, the airline that sold the ticket may not be the airline operating the aircraft.
- Confirm the flight date, origin, destination, and passenger names.
- Select “Check in” when the check-in window opens.
If you booked through an online travel agency, the agency’s confirmation code may differ from the airline’s record locator. Check the confirmation email for an “airline confirmation number,” or contact the agency if the airline cannot find the reservation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s ticket-buying guidance also recommends checking fare restrictions, baggage rules, optional-service fees, and the identity of the operating airline.
Selecting the Print or Download Option
Airlines do not use one universal “Print Tickets” button. After completing check-in, look for wording such as:
- View boarding pass
- Get boarding pass
- Download boarding pass
- Print boarding pass
- Email boarding pass
- Add to Wallet
Follow these steps when a printable pass is available:
- Complete online check-in and any required passenger declarations.
- Choose the boarding-pass delivery method.
- Select the PDF or print option.
- Open the file and confirm that the entire page is visible.
- Print one boarding pass for every passenger and flight segment shown.
- Inspect the passenger name, flight number, date, airports, and barcode.
Warning: Do not assume that every airline accepts a self-printed boarding pass. Some carriers have digital-only policies, while certain airports or routes may require a paper pass issued by an airport agent after document verification. Check the operating airline’s current instructions before departure.
For example, Ryanair announced a move to digital boarding passes from November 12, 2025, with limited exceptions for certain airports and document-check situations. Policies like this can change, so always rely on the airline’s current help page rather than an older travel article.
Choosing the Right Printer and Settings
| Printer Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Laser Printer | Fast printing speed and sharp text | Higher initial cost and unnecessary if you rarely print |
| Inkjet Printer | Common, affordable, and suitable for occasional home printing | Low ink or clogged nozzles can create streaks through the barcode |
| All-in-One Printer | May combine printing, scanning, and copying in one device | Offers no special boarding-pass advantage over another working printer |
You do not normally need premium paper, photo paper, or color ink. Clean, ordinary white A4 or US Letter paper is generally the practical choice unless the airline gives different instructions.
Before printing, check these settings:
- Paper size: Select A4 or US Letter to match the paper in the printer.
- Orientation: Use the orientation shown in the PDF, usually portrait.
- Scaling: Use “Actual size,” “100%,” or “Fit to printable area” only if it does not crop the barcode.
- Margins: Confirm that no text or code is cut off in the print preview.
- Print quality: Use a normal or better setting that produces clean text and an unbroken barcode.
- Pages: Print every page containing a boarding pass, but avoid unnecessary confirmation or terms pages.
- Paper condition: Use a flat, clean sheet without tears, heavy creases, or dark marks over the code.
Pro Tip: Open the print preview before pressing Print. Confirm that all four edges of the boarding pass and the complete barcode are visible. This catches the most common scaling and cropping errors.
Checking for Special Instructions
Review the airline’s confirmation email, check-in page, and travel alerts before printing. Special instructions may cover:
- Online check-in opening and closing times
- Airport check-in and baggage-drop deadlines
- Whether mobile or self-printed passes are accepted
- Passport or visa verification
- Transit-document requirements
- Unaccompanied minors or travelers needing assistance
- Pets, special baggage, or restricted items
- Airport-specific check-in procedures
Many major airlines open online check-in around 24 hours before departure, but that is not a universal rule. For example, Delta and American Airlines publish 24-hour online check-in windows for eligible flights, while their closing times and airport requirements vary.
For international travel, the boarding pass is only one part of your documentation. Confirm passport validity, visa rules, transit authorizations, entry forms, and destination-specific requirements using official government and airline sources.
Warning: A printed itinerary, ticket confirmation, or boarding pass does not replace a passport, visa, residence permit, transit visa, or other document required by immigration authorities.
Printing Boarding Passes
After printing, inspect each boarding pass before placing it with your travel documents. Confirm the following:
- Passenger name
- Operating airline
- Flight number
- Departure date
- Origin and destination airports
- Boarding group or zone, when assigned
- Seat number, when assigned
- Boarding and departure times
- Complete barcode or QR code
Some itineraries generate a different boarding pass for each traveler and each flight segment. A round trip with a connection may therefore require several passes, and the return passes may not become available until the return check-in window opens.
A gate number printed in advance can change. Recheck the airline app, flight-status page, airport screens, and gate announcements on the day of travel.
A clear boarding-pass barcode matters more than color, decorative paper, or premium print quality. Keep the entire code visible and free from folds, clipping, and ink streaks.
Printing Your Itinerary and Receipt
An itinerary or receipt is not normally scanned for boarding, but carrying one can still be useful. It may show:
- Reservation and e-ticket numbers
- Complete outbound and return schedules
- Connections and operating carriers
- Fare and tax details
- Baggage or seat purchases
- Travel-agency contact information
- Payment details needed for business reimbursement
A printed itinerary may also help when internet access is limited or when a hotel, car-rental company, employer, or immigration official asks for evidence of onward or return travel. Whether it satisfies such a request depends on the organization and destination.
Keep in mind that an itinerary does not replace the boarding pass. If your itinerary changes, download or print the latest version rather than relying on the original confirmation.
Organizing Your Printed Documents
Place your documents in a folder or travel wallet in the order you expect to use them. A practical arrangement is:
- Passport or accepted identification
- Current boarding pass
- Boarding passes for later flight segments
- Itinerary and hotel details
- Required visas, permits, or entry forms
- Receipts and reimbursement records
Keep a digital backup in the airline app, a supported mobile wallet, secure cloud storage, or an offline PDF. Avoid posting an unobscured boarding pass, confirmation code, e-ticket number, or barcode on social media.
Note: When the trip is complete, store receipts you need and securely dispose of unnecessary boarding passes or confirmations containing personal travel information.
Troubleshooting Common Printing Problems
| Problem | Likely Reason | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| The check-in button is unavailable | Check-in has not opened, the operating carrier handles check-in, or airport verification is required | Confirm the check-in window and operating airline. Read any message shown beside the reservation. |
| The PDF does not open | A pop-up blocker, browser setting, or download failure | Allow pop-ups for the airline site, try another supported browser, or email the pass to yourself. |
| The barcode is cropped | Wrong paper size, zoom level, margins, or page scaling | Return to print preview and use the correct paper size with actual-size or suitable fit settings. |
| The print is faded or streaked | Low ink, clogged print head, low toner, or printer maintenance issue | Replace the cartridge, run the printer’s cleaning function, or use another printer. |
| The name or flight is wrong | Booking error, schedule change, or wrong reservation | Do not alter the pass yourself. Contact the airline or booking agent immediately. |
| No boarding pass is issued | Passport, visa, security, payment, pet, or special-service verification may be required | Follow the airline’s instructions and arrive early enough to visit the check-in desk. |
| You do not have a printer | No home or hotel printing access | Use an accepted mobile pass, airline kiosk, check-in desk, library, hotel business center, or office-printing service. |
When a correction is needed, contact the party that controls the booking. If you purchased through a travel agency, the airline may direct you back to that agency for changes.
Using Mobile Ticketing Options
A mobile boarding pass can be displayed in the airline app, opened from an email, downloaded to the device, or added to a supported wallet. American Airlines advises passengers to save the pass to the device and keep the entire barcode visible. Apple also provides instructions for adding eligible boarding passes to Apple Wallet.
Prepare a mobile pass before leaving for the airport:
- Complete check-in while you have a stable connection.
- Open the boarding pass and confirm that it belongs to the correct traveler and flight.
- Save it in the airline app, download it, or add it to a supported wallet.
- Verify that it opens without repeating the login process.
- Charge the phone and carry a charging cable or power bank when permitted.
- Increase screen brightness when presenting a barcode for scanning.
Saving the pass locally reduces dependence on airport Wi-Fi or cellular service. An internet connection may still be useful for live gate changes, delays, cancellations, or a newly issued boarding pass.
Mobile passes are accepted at many airports, but not every airport, route, or passenger is eligible. American Airlines, for example, advises checking whether the departure and connecting airports accept mobile boarding passes and provides printing or kiosk alternatives where they do not.
Staying Informed About Policy Changes
Airline check-in and boarding-pass policies can change. Before each trip, review the operating airline’s official website or app for:
- Check-in opening and closing times
- Paper or mobile boarding-pass rules
- Airport check-in availability
- Boarding-pass reissue fees
- Travel-document verification
- Airport arrival recommendations
- Baggage acceptance deadlines
- Flight, terminal, and gate changes
Do not rely only on a printed pass for current gate information. Check the flight status again before leaving for the airport and after clearing security.
If you are preparing for an overseas trip, organizing the rest of your cabin baggage is also important. This guide to the best carry-on luggage for international travel can help you compare practical luggage options for your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an airline ticket?
An airline ticket is normally an electronic record showing that transportation was purchased under a specific fare and set of conditions. It is not the same as a boarding pass, and it does not always include an assigned seat.
How can I print my airline boarding pass?
Retrieve the reservation on the operating airline’s official website or app, complete check-in, open the boarding pass, and select Print or Download PDF. Print it on A4 or US Letter paper and confirm that the complete barcode and flight details are visible.
Can I print my boarding pass at the airport?
Many airlines provide self-service kiosks or staffed check-in desks that can issue a paper pass. Availability, deadlines, document checks, and possible fees vary by airline and airport, so review the operating airline’s policy before traveling.
Do I need to print an airline ticket?
Usually not. The ticket is generally stored electronically. You need an accepted boarding pass for the airport process, but that pass may be paper, mobile, or issued at the airport depending on the airline and route.
Is an itinerary the same as a boarding pass?
No. An itinerary summarizes the reservation and flight schedule. A boarding pass is issued for a specific passenger and flight segment after check-in and contains the scannable code used during the airport process.
Can a boarding pass be printed in black and white?
A clean black-and-white print is generally practical when the airline permits a paper pass, provided that all text and the complete barcode are sharp and readable. Follow any specific instructions shown by the airline.
Why can’t I get a boarding pass online?
The check-in window may not be open, the operating airline may handle check-in, or an agent may need to verify your passport, visa, payment, pet, special-service request, or security information. Follow the message shown in the reservation and arrive early if airport assistance is required.
What should I do if I cannot print my boarding pass?
Use an accepted mobile boarding pass, save the pass to your device, or visit an airline kiosk or check-in desk. You can also use a hotel, library, workplace, or printing service when the airline accepts self-printed paper passes.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Buying a Ticket — ticket restrictions, optional fees, third-party bookings, codeshares, and international travel-document responsibility
- Delta Air Lines: How to Check In — online check-in, printable boarding passes, mobile passes, kiosks, and airport desks
- American Airlines: Check-in and Arrival — check-in windows, deadlines, arrival recommendations, and airport-specific requirements
- American Airlines: Mobile Boarding Pass — saving a pass to a device, barcode visibility, airport acceptance, and paper alternatives
- Apple Support: Use Your Boarding Pass in Apple Wallet — adding, storing, and presenting eligible mobile boarding passes
- Ryanair: Digital Boarding Pass Announcement — current example of an airline moving away from ordinary self-printed boarding passes
