Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Your phone can die at the gate, airport Wi-Fi can fail, or the American Airlines app may refuse to load when you need it. A printed boarding pass gives you a simple backup. You can normally print one after checking in through aa.com, obtain one at an airport kiosk, or ask an American Airlines agent for help.
Quick Answer
To print your American Airlines boarding pass, check in on aa.com starting 24 hours before departure, open the boarding-pass option, and use your browser’s print command. You can also print at an American Airlines airport kiosk. App printing options vary, so use aa.com or a kiosk if you need a dependable paper copy.
Key Takeaways
- American Airlines normally opens online and app check-in 24 hours before departure.
- The most reliable home-printing method is to check in on aa.com and print the boarding pass from your browser.
- American Airlines kiosks can retrieve your trip using a boarding pass, six-character confirmation code, or AAdvantage number.
- Adults using a U.S. TSA checkpoint need a REAL ID-compliant state ID or another acceptable document, such as a passport.
- Check your gate, seat, flight time, and TSA PreCheck status again before travel because a printed pass does not update automatically.
At a Glance
| Time Required | About 5 minutes after check-in opens |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Tools Needed | Confirmation code or AAdvantage account, internet access, printer, paper, and ink |
| Cost | Usually no airline fee; home paper and ink costs may apply |
What’s in This Article
- How to Access Your Boarding Pass
- What You’ll Need
- Print from Your Computer
- Print Using the American Airlines App
- Print at the Airport Kiosk
- What to Do If You Can’t Print
- Troubleshoot Printing and Scanning Problems
- Tips for Printing Your Boarding Pass
- Benefits of Printing in Advance
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Understanding Your Boarding Pass
- Alternatives to a Printed Boarding Pass
- Frequently Asked Questions
Many passengers use digital boarding passes, but paper can be easier for families, groups, and travelers who want a backup. Each passenger should have access to their own pass. Printing does not replace security screening, checked-bag drop, an international document check, or any required visit to an airport agent.
Estimated time: About 5 minutes from completing check-in to printing, although website, printer, and reservation issues can make the process longer.
How to Access Your American Airlines Boarding Pass
You must normally complete check-in before American Airlines issues your boarding pass. According to the airline’s current check-in guidance, online and app check-in generally begins 24 hours before departure and remains available until 45 minutes before most domestic flights or 90 minutes before international flights. Some airports have earlier deadlines.
The 24-hour mark is when check-in normally opens, not a guarantee that online check-in remains available until boarding. Complete it early and review the deadline for your airport and itinerary.
Through the American Airlines Website
Go to aa.com and sign in to your AAdvantage account, or open the check-in area and enter the passenger’s name and six-character confirmation code. Follow the prompts to confirm passenger information, travel documents when required, seat details, and checked bags.
After check-in is complete, look for an option such as “Boarding Pass,” “View Boarding Pass,” “Download,” or “Print.” Button names can change as American updates its website. Open the pass and use your browser’s print command.
Through the American Airlines Mobile App
Open the American Airlines app and sign in, or find the reservation with the passenger’s name and confirmation code. Select the trip and complete check-in when the option becomes available. The app normally displays a mobile boarding pass after a successful check-in.
American documents the app mainly as a way to display a mobile pass and add it to a supported digital wallet. A direct paper-print option may not appear on every phone or app version. If you cannot print through your device’s share or print menu, open the reservation on aa.com using a computer or print at an airport kiosk.
When Online or App Check-In Is Unavailable
You may be directed to aa.com or an airport agent when the airline needs additional information or an in-person check. American’s website and app FAQs note that app check-in may be unavailable in situations such as these:
- Your first flight is not operated by American Airlines.
- You do not yet have a seat assignment.
- You are traveling with an infant under age 2.
- You are traveling with a pet, weapon, or firearm.
- The passenger is an unaccompanied minor.
- You are outside the available check-in window.
- American needs to verify a passport, visa, or other travel document.
If your first flight is operated by a partner airline, follow the codeshare guidance from American Airlines and check in with the airline operating that flight.
What You’ll Need
- Your six-character American Airlines confirmation code, ticket information, or AAdvantage account
- The passenger’s first and last name exactly as entered in the reservation
- A computer or smartphone with internet access
- A working printer, ink or toner, and paper if you want a physical copy
- Any passport, visa, health form, or entry document required for an international itinerary
- An acceptable identification document for airport security
Warning: For U.S. TSA checkpoints, adults age 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant state-issued license or ID, or another document on the TSA acceptable-identification list, such as a passport. A boarding pass is not a substitute for identification. TSA generally does not require ID from children under 18 traveling domestically, although the airline may request proof of age in some situations.
Printing Your Boarding Pass from Your Computer
- Go to aa.com. Sign in or open the check-in page and enter your confirmation code and passenger name.
- Complete check-in. Confirm passenger details, seat information, bags, and required travel documents.
- Open the boarding pass. Select the available boarding-pass, view, download, or print option.
- Open the print dialog. Use the website’s print control or press Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on a Mac.
- Choose sensible print settings. Letter-size 8.5 x 11 inch paper is convenient in the United States, but the main requirement is that the complete barcode and passenger information fit on the page without being cropped.
- Print and inspect the pass. Make sure the barcode is dark, complete, and free of streaks. Verify the passenger name, date, flight number, departure airport, and seat information.
Pro Tip: Set the print scale to “Fit to page” if the barcode or edge of the pass is being cut off. Avoid enlarging the page so much that part of the barcode falls outside the printable area.
Printing Your Boarding Pass Using the American Airlines App
The American Airlines app is designed primarily for displaying a mobile boarding pass. Whether you can send that pass directly to a printer depends on your phone, operating system, printer, and the controls available in the current app version.
- Open the American Airlines app and select your upcoming trip.
- Complete check-in and open the boarding pass.
- Look for your phone’s share or print control. If a print option appears, select a compatible wireless printer and preview the full page before printing.
- Use aa.com when no print control appears. Sign in to the same reservation on a computer and print the boarding pass from the website.
- Use an airport kiosk as the fallback. A kiosk can produce a paper copy even if your phone cannot print.
Note: Do not assume the app will provide a PDF or direct-print button. American Airlines officially supports displaying the mobile pass and adding it to a digital wallet, while paper-print controls can vary by device.
Printing Your Boarding Pass at the Airport Kiosk
American Airlines self-service kiosks are available at many airports. The airline’s official kiosk instructions say you can use them to check in, print a boarding pass, print eligible bag tags, and manage certain seat options.
- Find an American Airlines kiosk in the airline’s airport check-in area.
- Retrieve your trip by scanning an existing paper or mobile boarding pass, entering your six-character confirmation code, or entering your AAdvantage number.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to check in or open your existing reservation.
- Select the boarding-pass print option and collect every page before leaving the kiosk.
- Check the pass for the correct passenger, flight, date, and barcode.
If the kiosk cannot locate your reservation, rejects your documents, or does not offer a boarding pass, speak with an American Airlines ticket-counter agent.
What to Do If You Can’t Print Your Boarding Pass
If your printer fails, use the official mobile boarding pass in the American Airlines app or a supported digital wallet. American says mobile passes work at most airports, but you should verify that both your departure airport and any connecting airport accept them on the airline’s mobile boarding-pass page.
If the app and website do not work, use an airport kiosk or go to the American Airlines ticket counter. The airline recommends arriving at least two hours before a flight within the United States and at least three hours before an international departure. Allow additional time when checking bags, traveling with children, completing a document check, or departing from an airport with an earlier check-in deadline.
Warning: A printed boarding pass cannot display later gate, boarding-time, seat, or itinerary changes. Check the American Airlines app, airport monitors, and gate announcements even when your paper pass printed correctly.
Troubleshooting Printing and Scanning Problems
The Boarding Pass Does Not Appear
- Confirm that check-in is open and that you completed every check-in step.
- Make sure every passenger on the reservation has been checked in.
- Verify that the first flight is operated by American Airlines or follow the operating carrier’s check-in instructions.
- Check whether American requires an in-person document or special-service review.
- Try signing out, reopening the reservation, or using aa.com in a current browser.
The Page Is Blank or Will Not Open
- Allow pop-ups for aa.com if your browser blocked the boarding-pass window.
- Refresh the reservation and reopen the pass instead of repeatedly printing a blank preview.
- Try another browser or device.
- Use the browser’s built-in print command if the page’s print button does not respond.
The Barcode Is Cropped, Faded, or Smudged
- Select “Fit to page” or reduce the print scale.
- Use normal or high print quality instead of draft mode.
- Replace low ink or toner before reprinting.
- Do not place tape, writing, or a heavy crease across the barcode.
- Reprint the pass or use the official mobile version if the barcode is incomplete.
Your Reservation Changed After Printing
Open the reservation again after a seat, flight, name, or itinerary change and obtain the current boarding pass. If you add or correct a Known Traveler Number after check-in, obtain a new pass so the TSA PreCheck indicator can appear when you are eligible.
Tips for Printing Your Boarding Pass
- Complete check-in before looking for the print option.
- Print one boarding pass for each passenger.
- Keep the barcode flat, clean, and easy to reach.
- Check that the printed name matches the reservation and travel identification.
- Verify the flight number, travel date, departure airport, and boarding group.
- Check the app or airport display for gate and time changes.
- Keep the pass private and avoid posting its barcode or confirmation details online.
- Carry an acceptable ID and all required international travel documents.
Benefits of Printing Your Boarding Pass in Advance
A paper pass provides access to your boarding information when your battery is low, your phone is damaged, or the app is unavailable. It can also make a family or group easier to organize because each passenger can hold a separate copy.
Printing in advance may reduce the number of check-in steps you need at the airport. However, you must still visit bag drop if you have checked luggage, complete security screening, and see an agent when American or government authorities require a document check.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Printing Your Boarding Pass
Trying to Print Before Completing Check-In
A reservation confirmation is not a boarding pass. Complete check-in before expecting the boarding-pass option to appear.
Ignoring the Check-In Deadline
The 24-hour mark is the opening of the normal check-in window. Do not wait until the last minute. Standard online deadlines and airport-specific deadlines can prevent you from checking in or keeping your seat if you arrive too late.
Printing a Cropped Barcode
Review the print preview before confirming the job. A page scaled too large may cut off part of the barcode or passenger information.
Relying on an Old Pass
Reopen the reservation when American changes your flight or seat, or when you update security information. The original paper does not refresh itself.
Assuming Every Airport Accepts Mobile Passes
Check both departure and connecting airports. Obtain a paper pass before reaching an airport that does not accept mobile boarding passes.
Forgetting Passes for Other Travelers
Make sure every checked-in passenger has a separate paper or digital boarding pass. Do not assume one barcode covers the entire reservation.
Understanding the Information on Your Boarding Pass
Your boarding pass normally includes the passenger name, flight number, date, origin, destination, boarding group, seat assignment when available, and a machine-readable barcode. It may also show a terminal, gate, boarding time, frequent-flyer status, or TSA PreCheck indicator.
The flight number is different from the six-character confirmation code used to retrieve the reservation. A gate printed at home can change before departure, so confirm it through the app, airport displays, or gate announcements.
Keep the barcode clear and unobstructed. It is scanned during the airport journey, but the exact checkpoint process can differ by airport and security system.
Alternatives to a Printed Boarding Pass
The official mobile boarding pass in the American Airlines app can be scanned at security checkpoints and during boarding at supported airports. American recommends saving the pass to your device and making sure the entire barcode is visible.
You can also add the pass to a supported digital wallet for easier access and live flight updates. American supports wallet options on compatible Apple, Android, and Samsung devices. Samsung Wallet integration was expanded in 2026.
A clear screenshot may work as an emergency backup, but it should not be your main method. Screenshots can become outdated, may be cropped, and do not receive live gate or boarding-time updates. Use the official app or wallet pass whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I print my American Airlines boarding pass?
You can normally print it after online or app check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Complete check-in first, then open and print the boarding pass. Do not confuse the opening time with the check-in deadline.
Can I print boarding passes for multiple passengers on the same reservation?
Yes. Check in every eligible passenger and print a separate boarding pass for each person. If the boarding-pass option is unavailable, confirm that everyone on the reservation completed check-in.
Can I print at a kiosk after checking in online?
Yes. Retrieve your trip at an American Airlines kiosk by scanning an existing pass, entering your six-character confirmation code, or entering your AAdvantage number. Then select the option to print the boarding pass.
Can I print directly from the American Airlines app?
Possibly, but the option depends on your device, operating system, printer, and current app version. The app is primarily designed to display a mobile pass. Use aa.com on a computer or an airport kiosk when no print control appears.
Can I use a screenshot of my boarding pass?
A clear screenshot may scan, but it is less reliable than the official pass because it may be cropped or become outdated. Use the American Airlines app, a supported digital wallet, or a clean printed copy as your main boarding pass.
Why did I check in but not receive a boarding pass?
American may need to verify travel documents, special-service details, eligibility, or another passenger on the reservation. You may also need to check in with a partner airline if it operates your first flight. Use a kiosk or speak with an airport agent if the pass remains unavailable.
Does a printed boarding pass update when the gate changes?
No. A paper pass shows the information available when it was printed. Check the American Airlines app, digital wallet, airport displays, and gate announcements for updated gate, seat, flight, and boarding information.
What should I do if I cannot print and the app is not working?
Use an American Airlines airport kiosk or visit the ticket counter. Arrive early enough to complete the process. American recommends at least two hours before a U.S. departure and at least three hours before an international departure.
Sources
- American Airlines Check-In and Arrival — check-in windows, airport deadlines, and recommended arrival times
- American Airlines Mobile Boarding Pass — obtaining, saving, and using mobile boarding passes
- American Airlines Kiosk — kiosk access methods, boarding-pass printing, and bag-tag features
- American Airlines Website, Mobile, and App FAQs — app eligibility and reasons check-in may be unavailable
- American Airlines Codeshare Guidance — checking in with the airline operating the first flight
- TSA Acceptable Identification — REAL ID and other documents accepted at U.S. security checkpoints
Printing your American Airlines boarding pass is usually a quick process once check-in opens. Complete check-in early, inspect the barcode and passenger details, bring the correct identification, and keep the app available for live changes. A clean paper pass and an official digital pass together provide the most dependable backup.