It has been over two years since I wrote about using the iPhone as a boarding pass, but I never had the opportunity to try it myself until yesterday. I had a Delta flight, and when checking in online, I saw that I was offered the option to obtain an eBoarding Pass in addition (or instead of) a printed boarding pass. I played it safe and chose both options.
Here is what Delta says on its website about using an eBoarding Pass:
What is an eBoarding Pass?
Now, when you’re departing from certain airports, you can go completely paperless by having an eBoarding Pass sent directly to your Web-enabled mobile device. It’s the fastest, most convenient way to check in.
Here’s how it works:
• While you’re checking in online, choose the eBoarding Pass option—instead of the normal paper boarding pass.
• When you’ve completed the check-in process, instead of printing your boarding pass, your eBoarding Pass, flight information and barcode will be sent directly to your mobile device.
• Once you’re at the airport, if you’re checking bags, you can save time by using Curbside Check-in or one of our Baggage Drops.
• When you reach security, an agent will check your ID and scan the eBoarding Pass on your mobile device.
• Then you can head straight to your departure gate and show your eBoarding Pass to the gate agent when it’s time to board.
The list of airports at which you can use an eBoarding Pass is contained on this page on the Delta website. It includes my hometown of New Orleans and airports in other cites like Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York (LGA) and Seattle but doesn’t yet include major airports such as San Francisco (SFO), the other big New York-area airports (JFK and EWR) and Dallas (DFW).
When I selected the option for an eBoarding Pass, I received an e-mail with a link to a webpage. When I clicked the link, I was brought to a page containing a QR Code to show to the appropriate agents. I don’t know if this contains personal information, so I added some black bar redactions to these images:
It worked great. When I got to the security check-in, I saw a device on the front of the podium where the TSA agent was standing. He told me to scan the code on my iPhone, and I saw my name appear on a small display on his side of the podium, which he compared to my driver’s license. When it was time to board the plane, the gate agent simply directed me to scan the front of my iPhone on the same machine she was using to scan paper boarding passes. Nobody acted as if I was doing anything unusual, even though it was a new experience for me.
Many years ago, I managed to lose “real” paper tickets before an international flight. The only solution was for me to buy another set of tickets for me and my wife, and then the airline said that once nobody showed up using my original tickets, I would receive a refund on my credit card. The refund did eventually show up, but I was a little nervous about it until that refund appeared on my statement. Nowadays, for most flights, we are long past the age of “real” paper tickets that you need to worry about losing; we all just use electronic tickets that can be reprinted at any time on a computer or at the airport. Even so, it is nice to have the option to use an eBoarding Pass without dealing with any paper at all. It worked so well for me yesterday that I will always use this option again in the future when I can.
If you install the Delta app, you can check in via that and the boarding pass code will be available within the app rather than having to follow a link to a webpage. I’ve been using that going out of Atlanta for a while now with no problems.
I don’t like using my iPhone for the boarding pass because you have to turn it on and enter the security code each time you need to show it. With my passport and everything else in my hands, it was just a real nuisance.
I was in Miami for a DoD mediation training last week. The eBoarding pass was offered as an option to me on my return flight to Nashville. I also printed my boarding passes as a back up measure. The eBoarding passes worked great.
I also had them on my iPad, in case someone complained about the small screen of my iPhone.
I will try it- I have been reluctant to do so mainly because i was afraid of not being able to board. It sure would save a lot of paper if we moved to a more tech savvy approach like this.
Being a frequent traveller I use the eBoarding pass if possible. You can even make a screen shot on the iPhone or iPad from the 2d barcode from the web check- in boarding pass. I developed a app because I wanted only one app to easy check-in global instead of going to each airline website or download multiple airline apps. TravJouS Check-In Companion is the only global app for iPhone, iPad, Android and soon the black berry to check-in with any airline globally if they support mobile or web check in. You can download the iPhone and iPad app for free in the iTunes Store. Already many people have downloaded the app worldwide but the US is the top 1. Just download the app using the link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/travjous-check-in-companion/id440476885?mt=8&ls=1
I am trying to get you straight into the Airline check-in system when possible.
Please understand that the number of mobile boarding passes will grow to 16 Billion in 2014 so we can save a lot of paper printouts.
Note: You need a internet connection to be able to check-in on-line.
Please rate the app and write a little review for others and if you want any additions or changes just let us know: info@travjous.com
The TravJous Team.
Just installed the Delta APP on my iphone.
I have flights for my sister and myself, using her credit card.
I added my flight using my confirmation# to Delta App.
I added my sister’s flight using her confirmation# to Delta App. This ADD also included my flight.
Now my flight is on the Delta App two times!
How do I remove one of my double added flight from Delta App (and not delete my flight from Delta!)
[Jeff responds: Good question. I don’t know. Instead of using a confirmation number, I always just give the app my Delta frequent flier number, which causes it to automatically import all of my flights. I’ve never tried to important individual flights for me or anyone else using confirmation numbers.]
This morning I printed my boarding pass from my computer. Is there a way for me to now add it to my iPhone ?
Even if you already printed the boarding pass, you should be able to download the app for your airline, access your boarding pass in the app, and then add it to the Wallet app on the iPhone. Or you can skip the last step of adding it to the Wallet app and just use the airline app itself to check-in with your iPhone. (The Wallet app is nice because it gives you easy access on your lock screen.)
-Jeff