Summary
- The sequence number on a boarding pass indicates the passenger’s boarding order, which can affect seat selection on certain airlines.
- The SSSS number on a US boarding pass signifies that the passenger has been selected for additional security screening.
- Group numbers on boarding passes indicate when passengers should proceed to the gate for boarding, based on factors such as airline status or disabilities.
When preparing for air travel, two of the most essential items are a passport and a boarding pass. A boarding pass serves as the document granting a passenger access to board their flight.
It always contains sensitive details, including the booking code, passenger name, date, flight number, and class of travel, among other sensitive information. However, some intriguing pieces of information are concealed within the boarding pass. Here, we will delve into five of these details.
1 SEQ number
At the bottom of your boarding pass, you can come across a marker known as the ‘sequence’ or ‘SEQ.’ This element provides passengers with information about their boarding order relative to others on the same flight. If your sequence number, for instance, is SEQ/025, this indicates that you were the 25th person to check in.
Sometimes, the order in which you check in can be significant. Certain airlines, often low-cost carriers, assign seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Consequently, if you check in last, you are more likely to end up with a less desirable seat.
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Occasionally, situations may arise where a flight is overbooked, and passengers who cannot be accommodated on that flight are offered an alternative flight along with compensation. However, if no passengers volunteer to take the later flight, those who are typically traveling alone and often check in last may not secure a seat on the plane. It’s important to note that such instances are rare, and various airlines have their own procedures for handling such situations.
2 SSSS
When traveling in the United States, you may encounter a mysterious SSSS number on your boarding pass. SSSS stands for ‘Secondary Security Screening Selection.’ While it can be somewhat inconvenient, this code simply indicates that you have been chosen for additional security screening procedures.
If you find yourself with this SSSS designation, be prepared to allocate an extra 15 to 20 minutes for the security screening process. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doesn’t disclose the exact criteria for selection. Still, it appears that factors such as unusual travel itineraries, originating from high-risk countries, booking last-minute flights, or taking one-way international flights can trigger this designation.
3 Group number
Some airlines, such as Finnair or Air Canada, have implemented group boarding to make the boarding process more seamless and reduce congestion. Therefore, whether your boarding pass is electronic or printed on paper, you may come across a numerical designation, such as “Group 1” or “Group 2,” which indicates when you should proceed to the gate.
Boarding groups are typically assigned during check-in or based on factors such as airline status, disabilities, or family travel. Group one usually consists of first class and club members who board first, whereas groups four and five generally signify economy class and board last.
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4 Frequent flyer number
Rarely, though, a few airlines may display a frequent flyer number on the boarding pass. Typically, there will be some hint of the presence of a frequent flyer number assigned to the passenger, possibly even indicating their status, but it is common for the number to either be absent or obscured in some way.
However, in response to recent cybersecurity risks, some airlines have begun to withhold frequent flyer numbers from their boarding passes. For instance, as of August 2023, American Airlines initiated a practice of redacting frequent flyer numbers from their boarding passes, according to View From The Wing.
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5 S/O and SPTC
Your boarding pass may also feature certain letters that convey additional information. For instance, the abbreviation S/O indicates the presence of a stopover or layover in your itinerary. Meanwhile, SPTC is indicative of a lengthy layover, suggesting a longer duration between connecting flights, according to a report by Sophia CA Travel.
In situations involving lengthy layovers, it is worth noting that some airlines offer accommodation to passengers during these extended waiting periods. S/O and SPTC are typically located at the bottom of the boarding pass, often close to the SSSS number.
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Sources: View From The Wing, Sophia CA Travel, Wales Online