Can we get boarding pass online for international flights?

Can You Get an International Flight Boarding Pass Online?

The answer, unfortunately, is a bit nuanced. While you can often complete the check-in process for an international flight online, this does not result in you receiving a boarding pass. Instead, you’ll receive a confirmation slip.

This online check-in feature, increasingly common, allows passengers to select their seats, print (or save) a confirmation, and even potentially streamline baggage procedures. However, this digital confirmation is simply a placeholder, a pre-boarding step. Crucially, it is not the actual boarding pass.

To obtain your physical boarding pass for an international flight, you still need to visit an airport check-in counter. There, airport staff will verify your identity, passport, and any other required documents. Only after these verifications are complete, will you be issued your official boarding pass. The online confirmation slip acts as a critical piece of information that proves you’ve already completed the online check-in process, streamlining the counter interaction.

This two-step process is standard for international flights due to the increased security and immigration procedures involved. Airlines often integrate these online check-in systems as a convenience, allowing passengers to avoid potentially long queues. However, the final step, obtaining the boarding pass, remains a crucial airport counter transaction.