PLANE passengers need to be aware of this one boarding pass code which could land you the worst seat on the entire plane.
Although these tickets are small, they hold a wealth of information about flight details – some of which could impact where you are sat.
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At the bottom of a typical boarding pass there is often a SEQ number, according to Simple Flying.
This is also known as the “sequence number”.
It refers to the passenger boarding order for the flight.
For example, if your ticket reads SEQ08, it would mean you are the eighth person to check in.
With this information, you may be able to determine what seat you have been allocated.
Some airlines reportedly assign seats in the order of how travellers have checked in.
This means that people who were last to show up may be given a less desirable seat, reports say.
The SEQ code could also cause issues if the passenger is one of the last people to check in and the flight is full.
In Groups
Other codes on boarding passes include the group number, with airlines like Air Canada and Finnair using these.
This code is designed to help make boarding easier.
It usually reads as something like “Group 1” or “Group 2”, which staff then call out at the gate.
These groups are often assigned based on things like families, passengers with disabilities and seating class.
Enhanced Screening
Another common code on a boarding pass is “SSSS”.
This stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection – and works as an thorough security check.
It was created by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US.
Passengers who notice it on their boarding ticket should expect an “enhanced” screening.
This can take longer than normal security checks.
And it can sometimes cause delays for travellers who don’t anticipate this factor.
Overbooking
Some airlines can also overbook planes.
When everyone turns up without anyone pulling out of the flight, those who check in last are at risk of being transferred to a different flight.
Another code that appears on boarding passes is the booking reference or reservation number.
The Passenger Name Record (PNR) is a six-digit alphanumeric code that appears on each and every boarding pass.
This randomly-generated sequence labels you as a unique passenger.
It can help distinguish you in case you share an exact first and last name with another person on your plane.
Every passenger’s PNR is essentially a detailed travel itinerary which includes a trove of data.
This includes things like flight details to meal preferences and even frequent flyer status.
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