If you lose or forget your boarding pass at Bristol Airport, you can get a free reprint, either at your airline's check-in desk or self-service kiosk if you're still before security, or from airline staff at the departure gate if you're already through. You'll need photo ID and your booking reference or confirmation email. Most airlines don't charge for a reprint, and your phone may already hold a valid digital copy in the airline's app or your booking email. Checked 2026.
Before security: go to your airline's desk or kiosk
If you haven't reached security yet, head straight to your airline's check-in area rather than joining the general queue. easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and Jet2.com all operate self-service bag drop and check-in kiosks at Bristol, and airport customer hosts are on hand near them if you need help finding the right one. If there's no self-service option for your airline, or the kiosk won't print a replacement, join the staffed check-in desk queue instead and explain that you need a reprint.
Have these ready to speed things up:
- A government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your booking
- Your booking reference (PNR) or confirmation email, ideally pulled up on your phone
- Your flight number and departure time, in case the system needs it to find your booking
Bristol Airport's own advice is to be in the terminal at least two hours before your scheduled departure, which gives you a buffer if a reprint takes a few extra minutes. Check-in desks typically close around 40 minutes before departure, after which a reprint may not be possible at all, so don't leave this until the last minute.
After security: find airline staff at the gate
If you've already cleared security and realise you don't have a valid boarding pass, go to your departure gate and ask for the airline's gate agent. Gate staff can reprint a boarding pass or check you in against the flight manifest using your ID and booking details, the same way a check-in desk would before security. You don't need to go back through to the check-in area.
Check your phone first
Before queuing anywhere, check whether you already have a valid boarding pass saved on your phone. Most airlines send a mobile boarding pass by email after check-in, and many also let you pull one up inside their app using your booking reference, even if you didn't save it at the time. The barcode is what the gate scanner reads, not the paper, so a screenshot or the emailed PDF works just as well as a printed copy if it's still valid for your flight.
Does it cost anything to reprint a boarding pass?
Airlines don't typically charge to reissue a boarding pass at the desk, kiosk or gate if you have valid ID and a booking reference. Some lower-cost carriers do charge a fee if you need an entirely new check-in done at the airport because you missed the online check-in deadline altogether, which is a different situation to simply losing a pass you'd already checked in for. If you're unsure whether online check-in has closed for your flight, see our guide to online check-in deadlines by airline.
What if you can't find your booking reference either?
Check your email for the original booking confirmation, which every airline sends at the time of purchase, and search for the airline's name rather than just "flight" or "booking", since confirmations sometimes land in spam or promotions folders. If you genuinely can't locate it, airline staff can usually look up your booking using your full name, date of birth and flight number instead, though this can take longer than having the reference ready.
Avoiding this next time
- Save a screenshot of your boarding pass to your phone's photos as a backup to the airline app, in case of a signal or app issue on the day.
- Check in online as soon as the airline's check-in window opens, so you have a digital copy well before you reach the airport.
- If you print at home, keep a second copy, a photo on your phone or an emailed PDF, rather than relying on a single piece of paper.
FAQs
What do I do if I lose my boarding pass at Bristol Airport?
Go to your airline's check-in desk or self-service kiosk if you're before security, or to your departure gate if you're already through. Bring photo ID and your booking reference for a free reprint.
Can I get a new boarding pass at the gate at Bristol Airport?
Yes. Gate agents can reprint a boarding pass or check you in against the flight manifest using your ID and booking reference, the same as a check-in desk would.
Does it cost money to reprint a lost boarding pass?
Usually not, if you have valid ID and your booking reference and you'd already checked in. A fee may apply if you missed the online check-in deadline entirely and need a full airport check-in instead.
Can I use a digital boarding pass instead of a paper one at Bristol Airport?
Yes. A boarding pass on your phone, through the airline's app or an emailed PDF, is scanned the same way as a printed copy, as long as it's valid for your flight.
What ID do I need to get a boarding pass reprinted at Bristol Airport?
A government-issued photo ID matching the name on your booking, such as a passport or photocard driving licence, plus your booking reference or confirmation email.
How late can I get a boarding pass reprinted before my flight at Bristol Airport?
Check-in desks typically close around 40 minutes before departure, after which a reprint before security may not be possible. After security, ask at the gate as early as you can rather than waiting until boarding starts.
Checked against Bristol Airport's own check-in guidance and standard UK airline practice, 2026. Individual airline policies on reprint fees and deadlines can vary, so check your airline's app or website if you want the specifics for your carrier.