Common boarding pass mistake most passengers make that could see you lose your plane seat
PASSENGERS have been warned of a common boarding pass mistake that could see them lose their plane seat.
A traveller shared the advice, which applies to digital boarding passes, on social media.
They wrote: “Always screenshot your boarding pass from the app.
“Call me paranoid, but I take that extra step just in case.”
Speaking on Reddit, the user went on to tell a story that exemplified the important of screenshoting your boarding pass.
They explained that they had once been offered an upgrade after sitting down at their standard class seat – only to then be re-downgraded and almost lose her original seat completely.
She wrote: “I finally get to first class and settle in, only for another flight attendant to come and tell me that it was a mistake and the upgrade was not available.
“Annoying but I guess whatever, maybe the gate agent made a mistake.”
She then recalled how, upon arriving back at their original seat, it was taken by another passenger.
She added: “I look in the app and of course, my boarding pass had changed to the FC seat, which was not available.
“Good thing I had the screenshot of the original pass and showed it to her and to the flight attendant, who then moved her somewhere in the back
“A complete snafu, which of course they had no explanation for, but if I had not had that screenshot, it would have been me in the back.”
Several other users rushed to the comments to thank the poster for the travel hack.
One typed: “That’s awful!! Great idea about the screenshot.”
Another wrote: “I often wondered about that. So many seat changes seem to happen before a flight.”
And a third shared that they always screenshot their boarding pass too, saying: “I do it every single time, just in case my phone or the app has a connectivity issue at the wrong time.”
Meanwhile, another commenter offered their own word of wisdom, writing: “I put mine on the wallet as well but if the seat changes it updates on the wallet too. Hence screenshot.”
It comes after it was revealed that Ryanair will scrap paper boarding passes completely.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary confirmed that the phase-out would be completed by May, saying that as many as 60 per cent currently use mobile passes.
Currently, Brits can get a boarding pass at the airport with the airline.
But passengers are charged £55 if they forget to check in and download their boarding passes before arriving at the airport.
The new rules would mean there would be no option to to check in at the airport at all, with the desks scrapped.
Luggage Rules for Major Airlines
British Airways
- Cabin Baggage: 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and 1 personal item (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm), total weight up to 23 kg.
- Checked Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy, Business, and First Class allow more.
EasyJet
- Cabin Baggage: 1 small cabin bag (max 45 x 36 x 20 cm), no weight limit but must fit under the seat.
- Checked Baggage: Fees apply, up to 23 kg per bag. Passengers can pay for additional weight up to 32 kg.
Ryanair
- Cabin Baggage: 1 small bag (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm). Priority boarding allows an additional larger cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg).
- Checked Baggage: Fees apply, options for 10 kg or 20 kg bags.
Virgin Atlantic
- Cabin Baggage: Economy and Premium allow 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 36 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg). Upper Class allows 2 bags.
- Checked Baggage: Economy Light has no checked baggage. Economy Classic, Delight, and Premium allow at least 1 bag up to 23 kg. Upper Class allows 2 bags.
Emirates
- Cabin Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag (max 55 x 38 x 20 cm, up to 7 kg). Business and First Class allow 2 bags (total up to 12 kg).
- Checked Baggage: Economy Class varies by fare type (from 20 kg to 35 kg). Business and First Class allow up to 40 kg and 50 kg respectively.