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 earlier if you've reserved a seat.
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 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 normal, and nothing to worry about.
Typical check-in windows for UK airlines
Here's roughly when online check-in — and your boarding pass — opens and closes on the big UK airlines. These change from time to time and can vary by fare or package, so treat them as a guide and confirm in your airline's 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 |
Package holidays (TUI, Jet2holidays and similar) sometimes handle check-in differently again — check the app you booked through.
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.
Check in the moment it opens
Set a reminder for 24 hours before — the safest time to grab your pass and pick seats.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.