Ready to streamline your American Airlines journey and make sharing your boarding pass a breeze? Whether you're coordinating with travel companions, sending it to a loved one for safekeeping, or simply need a backup, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every method of sharing your American Airlines boarding pass. Say goodbye to printing hassles and hello to seamless digital travel!
Step 1: Getting Your Digital American Airlines Boarding Pass – The Foundation
Before you can share your boarding pass, you need to have it in a digital format. American Airlines offers several convenient ways to obtain yours.
Sub-heading: Downloading the American Airlines App
The American Airlines mobile app is your best friend for managing your trip, including accessing your boarding pass.
Download and Install: If you haven't already, download the American Airlines app from the Apple App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).
Log In or Find Your Trip:
AAdvantage Members: Log in using your AAdvantage number and password. Your upcoming trips will usually appear automatically on the home screen.
Guest Users: If you don't have an AAdvantage account, select "Find Reservation/Check In" and enter your last name and 6-character confirmation code.
Sub-heading: Checking In Online
Online check-in is crucial for generating your digital boarding pass.
24-Hour Window: You can typically check in online within 24 hours of your scheduled departure.
Via the App: Within the American Airlines app, navigate to "My Trips" and select your upcoming flight. You'll see the option to check in.
Via the Website: Alternatively, visit aa.com and click on "Check In." Enter your last name and confirmation code or ticket number.
Complete the Process: Follow the prompts to confirm your details, select your seat (if not already done), and acknowledge any travel advisories. Once check-in is complete, you'll be presented with your mobile boarding pass.
How To Share American Airlines Boarding Pass |
Step 2: Sharing Your Boarding Pass from the American Airlines App
The American Airlines app is designed for easy access, but direct "share" buttons for the boarding pass itself are not always universally available due to security protocols. However, there are effective workarounds.
Sub-heading: The Screenshot Method – Quick and Easy
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
This is often the most straightforward way to share your boarding pass, especially for quick access or a backup.
Access Your Boarding Pass: After checking in, go to the "My Trips" section in the American Airlines app and select your flight. Your mobile boarding pass, displaying the QR code, will be visible.
Take a Screenshot:
iPhone: Simultaneously press the Side button (or Top button on older models) and the Volume Up button.
Android: The method varies by device, but commonly involves pressing the Volume Down button and Power button simultaneously. Some Android phones also have a screenshot option in the quick settings panel.
Crop and Send: Go to your phone's photo gallery. Crop the screenshot to focus only on the boarding pass information and the QR code, removing any unnecessary screen elements. You can then share this image via:
Messaging apps: WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, etc.
Email: Attach the image to an email.
Social media direct messages: If applicable.
Sub-heading: Adding to Your Digital Wallet (Apple Wallet / Google Wallet)
Adding your boarding pass to your phone's native digital wallet provides a highly convenient and often shareable option, especially for iPhone users.
Access Boarding Pass in App: Within the American Airlines app, once your mobile boarding pass is displayed, look for an option that says "Add to Apple Wallet" (for iPhones) or potentially "Save to Google Pay/Wallet" (for Android, though direct integration for Google Wallet can be less consistent across airlines).
Follow On-Screen Prompts: Tapping this button will usually open your phone's digital wallet app, where you can review the boarding pass details and confirm adding it.
Sharing from Apple Wallet (iPhone Users):
Open your Apple Wallet app.
Tap on the American Airlines boarding pass you wish to share.
Look for the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upwards) often located in the top right corner.
If the share icon is present and enabled by American Airlines, you can then choose to send it via Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or other compatible apps to another iPhone or Apple Watch user.
Important Note: Not all passes in Apple Wallet are shareable. The airline needs to enable this functionality. If you don't see the share icon, this method won't work for direct sharing from the wallet. In such cases, revert to the screenshot method.
Step 3: Sharing a Boarding Pass Received via Email
Sometimes, American Airlines will email your mobile boarding pass directly to you after online check-in. This offers another straightforward way to share it.
Sub-heading: Forwarding the Email
The simplest way is to forward the entire email containing the boarding pass.
Open the Email: Locate the email from American Airlines with your boarding pass.
Forward: Use your email client's "Forward" function to send the email to the desired recipient.
Recipient Access: The recipient will then be able to open the email and access the boarding pass link or image within it.
Sub-heading: Downloading and Attaching (if provided as a PDF or Image)
If the email includes the boarding pass as an attachment (e.g., a PDF or image file), you can save and re-share it.
Download Attachment: Open the email and download the boarding pass attachment to your device.
Create New Email/Message: Start a new email or message.
Attach File: Attach the downloaded boarding pass file to your new message and send it.
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
Step 4: Printing a Physical Boarding Pass for Sharing
While digital is the way to go for most, a physical boarding pass still has its place, especially for those who prefer a tangible copy or in situations where mobile access is limited.
Sub-heading: Printing at Home
This is convenient if you have access to a printer.
Check In Online: As mentioned in Step 1, complete your online check-in via aa.com.
Print Option: After successful check-in, you will typically see an option to "Print Boarding Pass." Click this.
Printer Connection: Ensure your printer is connected and has sufficient ink/toner.
Print and Share: Print the boarding pass. You can then hand it to the person you're sharing it with.
Sub-heading: Printing at the Airport
If you can't print at home, the airport offers self-service options.
Self-Service Kiosk: At the American Airlines check-in area, locate a self-service kiosk. You'll need your confirmation code or AAdvantage number. Follow the on-screen instructions to retrieve and print your boarding pass.
Check-in Counter: If you encounter any issues or prefer assistance, head to the American Airlines check-in counter, and an agent will be able to print your boarding pass for you.
Important Considerations When Sharing American Airlines Boarding Passes
Security: Be mindful of who you share your boarding pass with. It contains sensitive personal information (your name, flight details, record locator). Avoid posting pictures of your boarding pass on social media without blurring out personal details and the QR code. Someone with your record locator might be able to access your reservation.
Single Passenger vs. Multiple Passengers: If you checked in for multiple people on the same reservation, the American Airlines app typically allows you to view each individual's boarding pass by swiping or selecting their name. You would then need to take a separate screenshot for each person's pass or ensure they each have access to the app/email.
Connectivity: While digital boarding passes are convenient, always consider taking a screenshot or adding it to your digital wallet before you lose internet access at the airport. This ensures you can still access it even if Wi-Fi is unavailable or spotty.
Battery Life: Keep your phone charged! A dead battery means no mobile boarding pass.
ID Matching: Remember that the name on the boarding pass must exactly match the name on your government-issued ID that you present at security and the gate.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to access my American Airlines mobile boarding pass?
Tip: Read mindfully — avoid distractions.
You can access your mobile boarding pass by checking in for your flight (within 24 hours of departure) via the American Airlines mobile app or their website. Once checked in, it will be displayed in the "My Trips" section of the app or sent to your email.
How to send my American Airlines boarding pass to another phone?
The most reliable way is to take a screenshot of your mobile boarding pass from the American Airlines app or email, then send that image via messaging apps (WhatsApp, iMessage) or email to the other phone.
How to save my American Airlines boarding pass to Apple Wallet?
After checking in and viewing your mobile boarding pass in the American Airlines app, look for an "Add to Apple Wallet" button. Tap it and follow the on-screen prompts to add it to your Apple Wallet.
How to save my American Airlines boarding pass to Google Wallet?
While Android's Google Wallet integration can vary by airline, some apps will offer a "Save to Google Pay/Wallet" option when viewing your boarding pass. If not, the most consistent method for Android users is to take a screenshot and save it as an image.
How to email an American Airlines boarding pass to myself or someone else?
If you receive your boarding pass via email after online check-in, you can simply forward that email. If you're using the app, check if there's an option to email the boarding pass from within the app, or alternatively, take a screenshot and email the image.
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
How to print an American Airlines boarding pass from home?
After checking in online at aa.com, there will be an option to "Print Boarding Pass." Click this and send it to your connected printer.
How to get a physical copy of my American Airlines boarding pass at the airport?
You can print a physical boarding pass at an American Airlines self-service kiosk using your confirmation code or AAdvantage number, or by visiting the check-in counter and asking an agent for assistance.
How to ensure my shared American Airlines boarding pass is scannable?
When sharing a screenshot, ensure the QR code is clear, well-lit, and not obstructed or blurry. Advise the recipient to turn up their phone's screen brightness when presenting it at the airport.
How to deal with multiple American Airlines boarding passes on one reservation?
In the American Airlines app, if you checked in for multiple people on one reservation, you can usually swipe between or select each passenger's name to view their individual boarding pass. You would then repeat the sharing method (e.g., screenshot) for each.
How to find my American Airlines confirmation code?
Your 6-letter confirmation code (also known as a record locator) can be found on your flight confirmation email from American Airlines or by logging into your AAdvantage account and viewing your upcoming trips.
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