Boarding pass codes explained

SSSSSecondary Security Screening Selection

Flights to, from or within the United States

Four S's on your boarding pass mean the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has selected you for enhanced screening. Expect a thorough pat-down, a check of your carry-on bags and an explosives swab, either at the security checkpoint or at the gate.

Selection can be random or based on your booking, for example a one-way ticket, a last-minute purchase or a name match on a watch list. A passenger with SSSS usually can't check in online or from the app and has to get the boarding pass from an agent.

What to do: allow extra time at the airport. If you're selected again and again, you can ask for a Redress Control Number through the US Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) and add it to future bookings.

In the barcode, this is the selectee indicator: 1 means selected, 0 means not.

TSA PRE✓TSA PreCheck

Also printed as TSAPRE, TSA PRECHK or a check mark

You're eligible for the TSA PreCheck lane at US airports, where you can usually keep your shoes, belt and light jacket on and leave laptops and liquids in your bag. It appears when your Known Traveler Number (from PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI) is in your booking and matches your name and date of birth exactly.

Missing even though you're enrolled? Check that the Known Traveler Number is saved in the booking, and that the name matches the one on your PreCheck membership. Some travellers also get PreCheck occasionally without being enrolled.

SEQCheck-in sequence number

Also printed as SEQ NO, SEQUENCE or BN

The sequence number shows in which order you checked in for the flight. SEQ 042 means you were the 42nd passenger. The airline uses it to count and match passengers and bags, for example to find out whose bag has to come off the plane if someone doesn't board.

It doesn't decide your boarding order and has nothing to do with upgrades or seats. A high number simply means you checked in late or the flight is full.

PNRBooking reference

Also called booking code, record locator, confirmation number or reservation code

This six-character code of letters and digits, like K7Q2PX, identifies your reservation in the airline's system. PNR stands for Passenger Name Record. It's the same code that's in your booking confirmation e-mail, and you need it with your surname to manage the booking online, check in or contact the airline.

One booking can have several booking references: one from the travel agency or booking site and one from each airline involved. If one doesn't work on the airline's website, look for the airline's own code in your confirmation.

Keep it private. Together with your surname it often gives full access to your booking. That's why you shouldn't post your boarding pass online.

ETKTE-ticket number

Also printed as TKT, TICKET or E-TICKET

Your ticket number has 13 digits, like 220-2000332598. The first three digits are the airline's accounting code: 220 is Lufthansa, 001 American Airlines, 016 United, 006 Delta, 125 British Airways, 057 Air France. The rest identifies your ticket.

The booking reference identifies your reservation; the ticket number is proof that you paid for it. You may need it to claim missing miles, ask for a refund or file a compensation claim. If it isn't printed on your pass, it's usually in the barcode, and always in the e-ticket receipt e-mail.

CLASSBooking class letter

Also printed as CL, FARE CLASS or a single letter

The single letter is your booking class (or fare class). It tells the airline not only which cabin you're in, but which fare you bought: how flexible it is, how many miles it earns and how easy it is to upgrade. Each airline sets its own letters, but these are common:

A business-class letter on an economy seat often means an upgrade, or a short-haul flight where business class is an economy seat with the middle seat blocked.

ZONEBoarding group

Also printed as GROUP, GRP, BOARDING or a number

Your boarding group tells you when to queue at the gate. Airlines usually board passengers needing assistance and families first, then first and business class and elite frequent flyers, then the remaining groups in order. A low number means you board early; the last group often has to check its cabin bag if the overhead bins are full.

The group depends on your fare, status, credit card perks and sometimes your seat. It's separate from the sequence number.

FQTVFrequent flyer number

Also printed as FF, FFP, MILES or with the program's name

Shows the loyalty program and membership number your flight is credited to, often with your status level, for example *G for Star Alliance Gold or the name of the airline's tier. If this field is empty, the flight won't earn you miles automatically. Add your number to the booking before the flight, or claim the miles later with the ticket number.

OPERATED BYCodeshare flight

Your ticket was sold by one airline but the plane is flown by another. Check-in, baggage rules and the terminal are those of the operating airline, so go to its counter and use its app for seat changes. Your pass may show two flight numbers for the same flight.

1PC · 23KBaggage allowance

Also printed as BAG, BAGS, FBA or ALLOW

Your free checked baggage. PC means pieces: 1PC is one bag, 2PC two, usually up to 23 kg each in economy. K means kilograms in total: 20K or 30K under the older weight system. 0PC or NIL means no checked bag is included in the fare. A separate field like BAGS 1 or a bag tag number shows how many bags you've actually checked.

SBYStandby

Also printed as STBY or SA (space available)

You're on the standby list and don't have a confirmed seat yet. The gate agent assigns seats to standby passengers shortly before departure, if any are free. Common for airline staff travel and for passengers trying to get on an earlier flight. Wait near the gate until your name is called.

INFInfant on lap

An infant under two is travelling on your lap without a seat of their own. The infant usually gets a separate boarding pass, with INF instead of a seat number, or appears as a note on the adult's pass. Bring the child's travel documents; on international flights the infant needs a passport too.

GATESeat assigned at the gate

Also printed as SEE AGENT, SEAT AT GATE or an empty seat field

You're checked in but don't have a seat number yet. It's common on full flights and the cheapest fares. The agent assigns your seat at the gate, and you'll usually get a new boarding pass there. Get to the gate early. On an overbooked flight, passengers without a seat are the most likely to be bumped.

DOCS OKDocuments checked

Also printed as DOCS CHECKED, DOC CHK or a stamp

An agent has checked your passport and visa for the destination. On international flights, passengers who checked in online often have to show their documents at a counter or at the gate, where the pass gets this mark. If your mobile pass says documents still need checking, go to a counter before security. In the barcode, it's the document verification field.

STD · ETDDeparture times

STD is the scheduled time of departure, ETD the estimated time if the flight is delayed. Departure means the doors close and the plane pushes back. The time to watch is the boarding time, usually 30 to 45 minutes earlier, and the time the gate closes, often 15 to 20 minutes before departure. All times are local to the departure airport.