Why You Should Always Carry a Printed Boarding Pass

Mobile boarding passes have made checking in and boarding faster and easier. At Rainbow Travel, we love how technology makes travel more convenient. However, relying solely on your phone can sometimes backfire. That’s why we still recommend printing your boarding pass before you head to the airport.

Here are the top reasons why carrying a physical copy is a smart travel habit.

• Your Phone Could Run Out of Battery

Imagine this: you've just spent 40 minutes in a long security line. You’ve been scrolling on your phone to pass the time. Right when you finally reach the TSA checkpoint, your phone shuts off. With no boarding pass to scan, you're forced to go back and find a kiosk to reprint it.

• You Might Lose Internet Access

Mobile passes rely on either Wi-Fi or cell service to work properly. But not all airports have strong connections, especially international ones. Rainbow Travel recommends that passengers always carry a paper copy of their boarding pass. While mobile boarding passes are convenient, printed ones make sure you’re not left scrambling in areas with weak signal. Screenshots can help, but if your phone battery is gone, even a saved image won't help.

• Airline Apps Can Be Unreliable

Even highly rated airline apps can occasionally fail. Mobile boarding passes may disappear and reappear during transit, causing confusion. In some cases, canceled flights result in boarding passes being removed from the app entirely. Without a mobile pass, gate agents must manually search for bookings, which can delay rebooking and risk losing a seat on the next available flight.

• Printed Passes Include Important Details

A printed boarding pass often includes extra details that the mobile version may leave out. One key piece of information is your ticket number. This number is sometimes required if you need to request a refund or speak with an airline representative. The mobile version typically only shows your booking confirmation number, which might not be enough in certain cases.