Flight guide
When do boarding passes become available?
The short answer: your boarding pass appears the moment online check-in opens — usually 24 to 48 hours before departure, and sometimes up to 30 days earlier if you've reserved a seat.
Last reviewed: August 2026
The simple rule
You can't get a boarding pass until you've checked in— and check-in doesn't open the second you book. For the great majority of airlines, online check-in opens 24 hours before departure, and that's exactly when your boarding pass becomes available to download. Some low-cost airlines open it much earlier — often up to 30 days ahead— and a few (like Ryanair) open it as soon as you book if you've already paid to choose your seat. Long-haul flights sometimes open a little wider, around 48 hours before.
Before that window, all you have is your booking confirmation— the reference and flight details, but not a scannable pass. That's completely normal, and nothing to worry about.
Boarding pass vs booking confirmation — the difference
These get mixed up constantly, and it's the reason a lot of people panic that "my boarding pass isn't here." They're two different things:
- Booking confirmation — arrives the moment you pay. It proves you have a seat and carries your booking reference (a 6-character code like X4B9ZK), flight numbers, dates and times. It is nota boarding pass and won't get you through the gate.
- Boarding pass— only exists after you've checked in. It carries the scannable barcode, your seat number, the gate and boarding time. This is the one the airport actually scans.
So if you've just booked and only have a confirmation, nothing has gone wrong — your pass simply hasn't been created yet because check-in isn't open.
Typical check-in windows for UK airlines
Here's roughly when online check-in — and your boarding pass — opens and closes on the airlines UK travellers fly most. These change from time to time and can vary by fare, route or package, so treat them as a guide and confirm in your airline's own app or booking:
| Airline | Check-in opens | Closes (before departure) |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 24 hours before (or from booking with a reserved seat) | 2 hours before |
| easyJet | 30 days before | 2 hours before |
| British Airways | 24 hours before | 1 hour before (short-haul) |
| Jet2 | 28 days before | 3 hours before |
| Wizz Air | 30 days before (or 48 hours without a reserved seat) | 3 hours before |
| TUI | ~14 days before (flight-only; package bookings vary) | ~5 hours before |
| Emirates | 48 hours before | 90 minutes before |
Package holidays (TUI, Jet2holidays and similar) sometimes handle check-in differently again, and a flight operated by a partner airline can follow that partner's window — always check the app you actually booked through.
Why can't I check in yet? The usual reasons
If check-in shouldbe open but the airline won't give you a pass, it's almost always one of these — and each has a quick fix:
- Check-in isn't actually open yet — double-check the window above for your airline.
- Something's unpaid — an unpaid seat or bag can block check-in until it's sorted.
- Missing passport / API details — many airlines need your Advance Passenger Information (passport number, nationality, expiry) before they'll issue a pass.
- Name mismatch — the name on the booking must match your passport exactly; a typo can stop check-in.
- Visa or travel-document checks — some destinations require proof (like a visa or ESTA) before you can check in online.
- Partner-operated flight — if another airline is actually flying the plane, you may need to check in on their site instead.
Don't get caught out
The window closestoo — usually one to three hours before departure — so don't leave it until you're at the airport. And on low-cost airlines, skipping online check-in can cost you: Ryanair charges an airport check-in fee if you haven't checked in online first, and easyJet and Wizz Air have their own rules. The habit that never fails: check in as soon as the window opens, save the pass, and you're done.
Step by step
How to get your boarding pass
Wait for check-in to open
For most airlines that's 24 hours before departure — or up to 30 days if you've reserved a seat. Set a reminder so you don't miss it.
Check in online
Open the airline's app or website, confirm your passport details, pick or accept your seat, and check in.
Download the pass
Save the boarding pass to the airline app, your phone's wallet, or as a PDF — and grab a screenshot as a backup.
Keep it findable offline
Store it somewhere you can open at the gate without signal, so you're not fumbling through emails at the airport.
Check in the moment it opens
Set a reminder for 24 hours before — the safest time to grab your pass and pick seats.
Confirmation isn't a pass
Just booked? A booking reference isn't a boarding pass — the pass only appears after check-in.
Mobile is usually fine
A pass in your phone's wallet works at most airports — but keep a screenshot as backup.
Avoid the check-in fee
On Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, checking in online first saves an airport charge.
Long-haul opens wider
Long-haul and full-service flights often open check-in around 48 hours before departure.
Keep every pass in one place
Store all your boarding passes, seats and bookings in one travel wallet — ready offline.
Learn moreBoarding passes — common questions
When do boarding passes become available?
Your boarding pass becomes available the moment online check-in opens — for most airlines that's 24 to 48 hours before departure. Some open earlier (often up to 30 days) if you've already reserved a seat. Until check-in opens you can't get a boarding pass, only your booking confirmation.
Can I get my boarding pass earlier than 24 hours before?
Sometimes. Airlines like easyJet and Wizz Air let you check in up to 30 days ahead, and Ryanair opens check-in as soon as you book if you've paid for a seat. On most full-service airlines, though, check-in — and therefore your boarding pass — opens 24 hours before departure.
Why is my boarding pass not showing up yet?
The most common reason is simply that check-in hasn't opened for your flight yet — before that you only have a booking confirmation, not a pass. If check-in is open but you still can't get a pass, it's usually because some detail is missing: an unpaid seat or bag, incomplete passport or Advance Passenger Information, a name that doesn't match your passport, or a flight operated by a partner airline. Complete those and the pass should appear.
Can I check in without paying for a seat?
On most airlines, yes — if you don't pay to choose a seat you'll simply be allocated one for free when you check in, though you may be split up from your group. Low-cost airlines assign your random free seat at check-in; paying only lets you pick where you sit, it isn't required to fly.
Does everyone on the booking need their own boarding pass?
Yes — every passenger needs their own boarding pass, including children. You can usually check the whole booking in together in one go, and each person gets their own pass. Keep them all somewhere you can pull up quickly at the gate.
Do I need to print my boarding pass?
Usually no — a mobile boarding pass in the airline's app or your phone's wallet is accepted at most UK and European airports. A few destinations, and some Ryanair situations, still ask for a printed copy, so check your airline's rules and keep a screenshot or PDF as backup in case your signal or battery fails.
Is a screenshot of my boarding pass valid?
Most of the time the barcode will still scan from a screenshot, which makes it a useful backup if the app won't load or you're offline. But the safest option is the live pass in the airline's app or your phone's wallet, as some gates and security checks want the official version. Keep both if you can.
How long before departure does online check-in close?
Typically 1 to 3 hours before departure, depending on the airline — Ryanair and easyJet close online check-in about 2 hours before, Jet2 and Wizz Air about 3 hours, and full-service airlines often 1 hour before for short-haul. Miss it and you'll have to check in at the airport, which can mean a fee on low-cost carriers.
What happens if I don't check in online in time?
On low-cost airlines it can cost you: Ryanair charges an airport check-in fee if you don't check in online first, and easyJet and Wizz Air have similar rules. On full-service airlines you can usually still check in at the airport for free, but you'll queue. Either way, checking in online as soon as it opens is the safe move.
Where should I keep my boarding pass so I don't lose it?
Save it somewhere you can find it offline at the gate. HolidayPal keeps every boarding pass — plus your flight times, seats and the rest of your bookings — in one travel wallet on your phone, ready even with no signal.
Never lose a boarding pass again.
HolidayPal keeps your boarding passes, seats, flight times and every booking in one place on your phone — ready at the gate, even offline.