Alaska Airlines Will No Longer Print Boarding Passes at Airport Kiosks

Alaska Airlines will no longer print boarding passes at the airport.

Alaska updated its travel advisory page this week, highlighting the new policy, a major change in the industry considering the history of the airport experience, and one that Alaska teased in April 2023.

Alaska passengers can still get their boarding passes fairly easily either electronically, via the Alaska Airlines app or website, or physically by printing them at home or seeing an agent at the check-in desk. However, effective immediately, they’ll no longer be able to show up at the kiosk, scan their ID or electronic bar code, and print a physical boarding pass.  

Here’s what Alaska now says:

“Our airport kiosks no longer print boarding passes—this means you’ll need to check in and access your boarding passes through the Alaska Airlines mobile app, from a computer, mobile device, or print them at home. If you’re checking bags, you’ll use our new bag tag stations to print bag tags, add a bag, or pay for your checked baggage. If you are unable to obtain your boarding pass before arriving at the airport, please see an agent for a paper version. Learn more about our streamlined lobby experience.”

While most travelers are now using an airline’s app to check-in and get a digital boarding pass, the move by Alaska is pushing its flyers even more towards that digital option. The airline says that the new policy is about making things more efficient in the airport lobby.

Alaska reportedly wants 90% of its flyers to use its smartphone app to check in, a percentage that is likely to grow even past that as more airlines possibly adopt similar policies in the future.