Boarding pass and e-ticket are not the same, although they are related to each other. Let’s dive into the details to understand the difference between the two.
An e-ticket, or electronic ticket, is essentially a digital record of your flight reservation. It contains all the necessary information about your flight, such as the airline, flight number, departure and arrival airports, date and time of departure, and your name. E-tickets have replaced traditional paper tickets in most cases and are typically issued when you book your flight.
When you book a flight, the airline or travel agency will generate an e-ticket for you. This e-ticket can be stored electronically, either on your computer or smartphone, or it may be sent to you via email. It serves as proof of your flight reservation and contains a unique booking reference number.
On the other hand, a boarding pass is the document you need to present at the airport to board your flight. It is obtained after you check-in for your flight, either online or at the check-in counter. The boarding pass contains specific details about your flight, such as the departure gate, seat number, and boarding time.
To check-in online, you usually need to enter your booking reference number and your personal details on the airline’s website or mobile app. Once checked in, you can choose to receive your boarding pass electronically, either by email or by downloading it to your smartphone using a mobile app. Alternatively, you can print out a physical copy of the boarding pass.
At the airport, if you haven’t checked in online, you can approach the check-in counter to receive your boarding pass. You will need to present your e-ticket or provide your booking reference number for the airline staff to retrieve your reservation. They will then issue your boarding pass, which you can keep with you until you board the plane.
An e-ticket is the digital record of your flight reservation, while a boarding pass is the document you need to present at the airport to board your flight. The e-ticket is generated when you book your flight, whereas the boarding pass is generated upon check-in. While they are closely related, they serve different purposes in the travel process.
I hope this explanation clarifies the difference between a boarding pass and an e-ticket. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!