Preparing for your American Airlines flight and wondering how to get your boarding pass in hand? You've come to the right place! While digital options are becoming increasingly popular, there are still several reliable ways to print your boarding pass for American Airlines. Let's walk through each method, ensuring you're ready for a smooth journey.
Your Essential Guide to Printing Your American Airlines Boarding Pass
Step 1: Decide Your Preferred Method – Let's Get Started!
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's consider your preference. Do you prefer the convenience of printing at home, or are you more comfortable handling it at the airport? Perhaps a combination of both? American Airlines offers flexibility, so choose what suits your travel style best. Knowing this upfront will help you navigate the steps more efficiently!
Step 2: Online Check-in and Printing at Home (The Easiest Way!)
This is often the most convenient option, saving you time and potential stress at the airport. You can check in online starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before your domestic flight (or 90 minutes for international flights).
Sub-heading: 2.1 Accessing the American Airlines Website
Open your web browser: Go to the official American Airlines website:
www.aa.com Locate "Check In": On the homepage, you'll usually find a "Check In" or "My Trips" section. Click on it.
Enter your details: You'll be prompted to enter your Last Name and your Confirmation Code (a 6-character code from your booking email), or your AAdvantage® number. Make sure these details are entered exactly as they appear on your reservation.
Sub-heading: 2.2 Completing the Check-in Process
Confirm your flight details: Once your trip is retrieved, verify that the flight information is correct.
Review and accept terms: You might be asked to confirm certain travel requirements or acknowledge hazardous materials regulations. Read through these carefully.
Select your seat (if not already done): If you haven't selected a seat, or wish to change it, you'll have the option to do so at this stage.
Add checked bags (if applicable): Declare any checked bags and pay any associated fees. This can sometimes also generate an "Express Bag Tag" option for faster drop-off at the airport.
Sub-heading: 2.3 Printing Your Boarding Pass
Look for the "Print Boarding Pass" option: After successfully checking in, you'll see a clear option to "Print Boarding Pass." Click on this.
Review the boarding pass: A new window or tab will open with your boarding pass. Ensure your printer is connected and has sufficient ink and paper.
Print! Use your browser's print function (usually Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac, or by going to File > Print).
Pro-Tip: Print a backup! It's always a good idea to print a physical copy even if you plan to use a mobile boarding pass, just in case your phone battery dies or you encounter technical issues.
Sub-heading: 2.4 Emailing for Later Printing
If you don't have a printer readily available but checked in online, you'll often have the option to "Email with Mobile Option" or simply "Email Boarding Pass." Select this.
You can then open the email on a device connected to a printer at a later time and print it out.
Step 3: Using the American Airlines Mobile App (Digital & Print Potential)
The American Airlines mobile app is an incredibly powerful tool for managing your travel, including your boarding pass. While primarily for mobile boarding passes, it offers pathways to a printable version too.
Sub-heading: 3.1 Downloading and Logging into the App
Download the app: If you don't have it already, download the "American Airlines" app from the Apple App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android).
Log in: Open the app and log in using your AAdvantage® number, email address, or retrieve your trip using your confirmation code and last name.
Sub-heading: 3.2 Checking In and Accessing Your Mobile Boarding Pass
Navigate to "My Trips": Your upcoming flight should be prominently displayed on the app's home screen or within the "My Trips" section.
Check in: Follow the prompts to complete the check-in process directly within the app.
View Mobile Boarding Pass: Once checked in, your mobile boarding pass will be accessible within the app, often as a scannable QR code. You can typically add this to your phone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet/Pay) for quick access.
Sub-heading: 3.3 Printing from the Mobile App (Indirectly)
Email option: Within the app, even if you've retrieved your mobile boarding pass, there's often an option to "Email Boarding Pass" or "Send Boarding Pass."
Send it to your email address.
Then, on a computer with a printer, open the email and print the attached boarding pass. This is a great way to have a digital backup on your phone while still securing a physical copy.
Step 4: Printing at the Airport (Kiosk or Ticket Counter)
If you prefer to wait until you're at the airport or encounter issues with online/app printing, American Airlines provides convenient on-site options.
Sub-heading: 4.1 Self-Service Kiosks
Locate a kiosk: Upon arrival at the airport, look for the American Airlines self-service kiosks, typically near the check-in counters.
Identify yourself: You'll need to identify your reservation. You can usually do this by:
Scanning your passport (for international flights).
Swiping a credit card (for identification purposes, no charge).
Entering your Confirmation Code (record locator).
Entering your AAdvantage® number.
Follow the prompts: The kiosk will guide you through the check-in process. Even if you checked in online, you can use the kiosk to print your boarding pass.
Print Boarding Pass: Select the option to "Print Boarding Pass." Note that American Airlines has recently made a change so kiosks no longer automatically print boarding passes if you've already checked in online; you'll need to specifically select the print option.
Important: If you're checking bags, the kiosk can also print your bag tags. Attach them to your luggage and proceed to the bag drop area.
Sub-heading: 4.2 American Airlines Ticket Counter
Approach the counter: If all else fails, or you require special assistance, head to the American Airlines ticket counter.
Provide identification: Present your government-issued photo ID (like a passport or driver's license) and your confirmation code to the agent.
Agent assistance: The agent will locate your reservation, check you in, and print your boarding pass for you. This is also the place to resolve any complex travel issues.
Be Aware: Lines at the ticket counter can be long, especially during peak travel times. Arrive well in advance of your flight if you plan to use this method.
10 Related FAQ Questions (How To...)
Here are some quick answers to common questions about printing your American Airlines boarding pass:
How to print my American Airlines boarding pass if I don't have a printer at home? You can print it at an American Airlines self-service kiosk at the airport or by visiting the airline's check-in counter. You can also email the boarding pass to yourself and print it at a business center or hotel if they offer printing services.
How to check in online for American Airlines?
Go to
How to get a mobile boarding pass for American Airlines? Check in using the American Airlines mobile app. Your mobile boarding pass will be displayed within the app and can often be added to your phone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet).
How to know if my airport accepts mobile boarding passes for American Airlines? Most major airports accept mobile boarding passes. You can usually check the "Airport details" section for your specific airport on the American Airlines website (aa.com) under "Travel information" > "Mobile and app" to confirm.
How to print a boarding pass if I already have a mobile one? If you have a mobile boarding pass via the app, you can often find an option to "Email Boarding Pass" within the app. Email it to yourself and print from a computer. Alternatively, you can always print a physical copy at an airport kiosk.
How to resolve issues if I can't print my American Airlines boarding pass online? Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, using a different web browser, or restarting your computer. If issues persist, contact American Airlines customer service or plan to print at an airport kiosk or ticket counter.
How to get a boarding pass if I arrive late to the airport? American Airlines has check-in deadlines (e.g., 45 minutes for domestic, 60-90 minutes for international before departure). If you miss these, you may not be able to check in or print a boarding pass, and could risk missing your flight. Always arrive early!
How to print a boarding pass for someone else on my reservation? When checking in online, if multiple passengers are on the same reservation, you'll typically have the option to print boarding passes for all of them. At an airport kiosk, you can also retrieve all boarding passes on a single reservation.
How to re-print a boarding pass if I lost the first one? If you printed at home, you can usually go back to the American Airlines website, re-access your reservation through the "Check In" or "My Trips" section, and print again. At the airport, you can use a self-service kiosk or go to the ticket counter.
How to ensure my printed boarding pass is valid? Make sure the barcode is clear and legible, and all your flight details (name, flight number, date, gate) are correct. A faded or smudged barcode might not scan properly.
