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How to read a boarding pass

A boarding pass packs a lot into a small space. Here’s what each part means, using a made-up example.

Example only: the names, numbers and codes are made up.

1. Passenger. Surname first, then first name and title, exactly as on the booking. It must match your passport.
2. Flight number. The airline’s two-character code plus a number: KL is KLM, BA is British Airways. On a codeshare, the airline that sold the ticket can differ from the one flying it.
3. From and to. Three-letter IATA airport codes: AMS for Amsterdam Schiphol, LHR for London Heathrow.
4. Boarding time. When boarding starts, usually 30 to 45 minutes before departure. The gate often closes 15 to 20 minutes before departure.
5. Gate. Can change after you print the pass: check the screens in the terminal.
6. Seat. Row number and letter. On a single-aisle jet with six seats per row, A and F are windows and C and D are aisles. Wide-bodies use more letters, and some skip I so it isn’t confused with 1.
7. Zone or group. The order you board in. Many airlines board families, premium passengers and frequent flyers first, then rows from the back.
8. Booking reference. Six letters and digits, also called the PNR: the key to your booking for changes and check-in.
9. Ticket number. Thirteen digits. The first three identify the airline that issued it: 074 is KLM, 125 is British Airways.
10. Sequence number. The order you checked in. Gate staff use it to count passengers on board.
11. Barcode. Holds your name, booking reference and flight in a standard format that any airport scanner can read. Don’t post it online: it can be enough to see or change your booking.