When you're flying, both a ticket and a boarding pass are essential documents you need to board a plane. Even though they serve different purposes, people often confuse them or think they’re the same thing.
This confusion is understandable since not all types of transportation require both. For example, buses and ferries usually only need a ticket from passengers.
If you’ve ever found yourself puzzled about the difference, don’t worry! In this article, I’ll explain what sets an airplane ticket and a boarding pass apart, and how each is used when you’re traveling by air.
An airplane ticket is proof that you’ve reserved and paid for a seat on a flight. You get this ticket after purchasing it either online or in person.
The ticket can be a physical paper version or an electronic one (e-ticket) that’s sent to your email. You’ll need this ticket to check in, and in exchange, you’ll get your boarding pass.
Airplane tickets usually include key details about your flight. Here’s the kind of information you’ll typically find on a plane ticket:
This shows your full name as it appears on your official ID, like your passport or ID card, which was used when booking the ticket.
Each flight has its own unique number, which combines the airline’s code and the flight number (for example, GA 789 for Garuda Indonesia flight 789).
This section lists the date and time of your flight. It’s important to check this so you can plan to arrive at the airport on time.
Here, you’ll see the starting airport and the destination airport. If you have a layover or connecting flight, those airports will also be shown.
This is a special code made up of letters and numbers, which you can use to check your booking or check-in online.
This shows the class of service you booked, such as Economy, Business, or First Class.
Sometimes your seat number is printed on the ticket, but often it’s assigned when you check in.
Your ticket will also show how much baggage you’re allowed to bring, including both carry-on and checked luggage.
A boarding pass is the document you get after checking in, either at the airport counter or online. It gives you the official permission to board the plane.
To put it simply, the airplane ticket shows that you’ve bought the flight, while the boarding pass allows you to get on the plane. Without a boarding pass, you won’t be able to enter the airport’s departure area or board the flight.
The boarding pass includes important details that help you board the plane and assist the airline in organizing the boarding process. Here’s some key information commonly found on a boarding pass:
Your full name, as it appears on the ticket and your official ID (passport or ID card), is shown on the boarding pass. Often, the family name is listed first, followed by your given names.
This is the same unique flight number found on your ticket, combining the airline’s code and the flight number (for example, SQ 950 for Singapore Airlines flight 950).
This shows the gate number where passengers will board the plane. It’s crucial information to make sure you go to the right spot at the airport.
This section shows the departure time of your flight and includes the boarding time, which tells you when you need to be at the gate to start boarding the plane.
Your assigned seat on the plane is listed here.
Many airlines use boarding zones to organize the order in which passengers board. The zone is printed on the boarding pass to help with a smoother boarding process.
This is a unique code that identifies your booking. While it’s usually found on the airplane ticket, some boarding passes include it too.
This lists the airports where your flight departs and lands. For example, CGK for Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta) and SIN for Changi Airport (Singapore).
This shows the seating category you’ve selected, like Economy, Business, or First Class.
This code is scanned when you enter the departure area or board the plane. It helps airlines track passengers and confirm who has boarded.
With these details, you should now be able to easily understand the difference between an airplane ticket and a boarding pass when flying.
