Often travelers just look at their boarding pass to see which seat they’re in, but it’s worth knowing the meaning behind the other codes these passes contain.
If you look closely, you’ll see that a boarding pass can contain important information about your trip, from whether you’ve been selected for an additional security check to whether you’re one of the last passengers to board the plane.
Whether you choose a printed or digital version, here we reveal the meaning behind the codes on your boarding pass…
BOOKING NUMBER
This is a six-digit code, consisting of numbers and letters, that serves as a digital certificate that allows you to check in online and manage your booking.
Your booking number, known as the PNR or Passenger Name Reference, identifies your reservation and is used by airline staff to access your booking information
Known as the PNR, or Passenger Name Reference, it is used by airline staff to access your booking details, Turkish Airline Pegasus explains. It also includes information about whether you have requested meal preferences and special assistance.
‘SSSS’
You may see “SSSS” on your boarding pass if you are traveling within the US. This stands for “secondary security screening selection” and means you have been selected for additional security screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security.
Frequent flyer site The points man reveals: ‘Your carry-on bag should be thoroughly examined – and we mean ‘thoroughly’, as every item inside will likely be handled, removed, inspected, poked and prodded, along with the bag’s lining and exterior pockets.”
You will only see “SSSS” on your boarding pass if you are traveling within the US
It adds that electronic devices should also be “turned on and presented for inspection.”
The Points Guy continues, “The enhanced screening typically also includes a full-body pat-down, an additional metal detection wand wave, and explosive detection wands rubbed on your luggage and at least your hands.”
Additionally, prepare to be questioned by the TSA agent about whether you packed your own bag and your reasons for flying.
‘SEE AGENT’
If your boarding pass says ‘See Agent’, you may not have been assigned a seat on the flight yet
If you see this message on your boarding pass, it could mean several things: Conde Nast traveler reveals.
The release notes that this may mean you have not yet been assigned a seat on the flight and you will need to speak to a gate agent to resolve this. Or it could mean traveling on a codeshare flight, which means it is operated by an airline other than the one you booked with.
Frequent flyer site Points with a crew says it may also mean providing the gate agent with additional documents, such as travel visas. And if the flight is oversold, it could mean the gate agent will ask you to voluntarily take a later flight.
THE ‘SEQ’ NUMBER
There is one special code that is highly sought after by frequent flyers.
Rhys Jones, from frequent flyer website headforpoints.comsays MailOnline Travel: ‘One of the most interesting markings on a boarding pass is the “SEQ XXX” number. This indicates the order in which the passenger checks in for the flight. Many frequent flyers do everything they can to get their hands on the coveted SEQ 001.
‘For example, at British Airways, where check-in opens 24 hours before the flight, the “fastest finger on the trigger” when check-in opens usually gets pole position!
‘However, there can be a fly in the ointment. If someone has a connecting flight, the boarding pass can be issued before the check-in opening for the next flight. If this is the case, no matter how fast you are when the online check-in opens, you will notice that the special number is already gone!’
FLIGHT NUMBER
Above you see a Ryanair boarding pass with the flight number ‘FR5260’
This code represents the specific flight you are about to take and is usually displayed as two capital letters followed by four numbers.
Passengers can check their flight number on the airport departure board to see when their flight will board. The first part of the number indicates the airline, while the second part refers to the specific flight. For example, the flight number ‘FR964’ contains ‘FR’ for Ryanair and ‘964’ for the route.
AIRPORT CODES
These three-letter codes refer to your departure and arrival airports. Examples include JFK, which refers to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, and LHR, which refers to London Heathrow Airport.
SEAT ASSIGNMENT
The seat assignment can be found at the top right of this Eurowings boarding pass. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Your seat is usually indicated with a letter and number combination, for example ’12A’.
Stopover
If you are traveling on a layover or stopover, your boarding pass will likely contain the code “S/O.” If your layover is longer than a few hours, it may be shown as ‘SPTC’ instead.
GROUP NUMBER
Some airlines such as British Airways have introduced a group boarding system that aims to ‘simplify boarding’ and ‘reduce congestion’.
If there is a group number on your boarding pass, this indicates when you will be invited to board the aircraft. Group one is generally for first class and club members, with boarding first, while groups four and five tend to indicate economy and boarding last.
BAR CODE
The barcode often appears at the bottom right of your boarding pass. The magnetic stripe, known as BCBP, is often scanned at various points throughout the airport, including at the gate, and helps speed up the boarding process.