How to Print Delta Airlines Boarding Pass: Step-by-Step Guide

You can print your Delta Air Lines boarding pass online at delta.com beginning 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure, at airport self-service kiosks, or directly with a Delta agent at the airport ticket counter. To print at home, go to delta.com, select the "Check-In" tab, enter your 6-character confirmation code and departure airport, complete the check-in prompts, and select "Print Boarding Pass." If you are already at the airport, touch-screen kiosks in the departures lobby allow you to scan your passport, enter your confirmation code, or swipe a credit card to print your paper pass in seconds.

While digital mobile boarding passes on smartphones have become the norm, having a printed paper boarding pass remains a reliable option. Understanding the different printing methods and troubleshooting steps ensures you breeze through TSA security without delays.

Why Carry a Printed Paper Boarding Pass?

In an era of smartphone boarding passes, many travelers wonder why physical paper is still useful:

• Phone Battery Insurance: If your device runs out of power, freezes, or experiences screen damage in a busy security line, a paper pass guarantees access.
• International Visa Stamps: Some foreign border authorities and international gates require physical paper passes to stamp entry visas or transit verifications.
• Traveling with Groups or Children: Parents managing multiple tickets often find holding paper boarding cards more manageable than swiping through multiple digital screens at the gate.
• Expense Documentation: Many employers and corporate accounting departments require a printed paper boarding pass stub alongside your Delta flight receipt to prove travel was completed.

Knowing when you can check in for your Delta flight ensures you can print your documents as soon as the 24-hour window opens.

Method 1: Printing Your Boarding Pass at Home or Office via Delta.com

Printing from a desktop computer or laptop is straightforward:

Visit Delta.com: Navigate to the official website and click on the Check-In tab in the main header.

Access Your Reservation: Enter your 6-character confirmation code (Record Locator) or 13-digit ticket number, along with your departure airport code or city name.

Review Passenger Details: Verify your name, select baggage options, and confirm or change your seat assignment.

Choose Print Format: Once check-in is complete, click the Print Boarding Pass button.

Print or Save as PDF: A print-ready window will appear displaying your 2D barcode and flight details. You can print directly to your desktop printer or click "Save as PDF" to save a digital copy for later printing.

Ensure your printer ink is clear and legible. TSA scanners require a crisp, unblurred barcode to read your flight credentials at the security checkpoint.

Method 2: Reprinting an Existing Boarding Pass Online

If you checked in earlier on your mobile phone or accidentally lost your initial paper printout, you can reprint it anytime prior to flight departure:

Go to delta.com and click on My Trips.

Enter your 6-character confirmation code and passenger first and last name.

Once your itinerary appears, look for the option labeled Reprint Boarding Pass or View Boarding Pass.

Send the document to your printer or download a fresh PDF copy.

If you have legal name discrepancies or typos on your reservation that prevent the system from finding your record, review our guide to Delta name change policies to get your reservation corrected before reprinting.

Method 3: Printing at Airport Self-Service Kiosks

If you do not have a printer at home or hotel, airport kiosks are fast and free:

Locate a Kiosk: Touchscreen kiosks stand in the departures lobby of every airport served by Delta.

Access Your Booking: Scan your passport, swipe the credit card used for booking, or type your 6-character confirmation code.

Verify Luggage: Enter checked bag counts and print luggage tags if needed.

Print Boarding Pass: Touch "Print Boarding Pass" to receive your cardstock pass in seconds.

At major hub airports like the Delta terminal at Atlanta airport, dozens of kiosks line the check-in hall for quick service.

Method 4: Printing at the Airport Ticket Counter or Sky Club

If kiosks are unavailable or you encounter errors:

• Ticketing Desks: Approach a staffed Delta counter and present your photo ID for a printed pass.
• Delta Sky Club: Eligible travelers can have lounge concierge desks print boarding passes.
• Gate Agents: If you lose a pass past security, visit your departure gate podium 45 minutes before boarding.

Digital Alternatives to Printing

Delta supports paperless travel options:

• Fly Delta Mobile App: Interactive mobile boarding pass with live gate updates.
• Apple & Google Wallet: Save passes to your phone wallet for offline access.
• Delta Digital ID: Biometric facial recognition at select hub airports for PreCheck travelers.

When You MUST Print at the Airport (Special Situations)

Certain travel circumstances disable home printing and require airport agent assistance:

Secondary Security Screening (SSSS): If selected by federal authorities for enhanced screening, home printing is blocked. You must collect your pass at an airport ticket counter.

International Document Checks: Destinations requiring specific visas, return travel proof, or health documentation may require physical document review before a boarding pass can be generated.

Unaccompanied Minors: Young children traveling without a guardian must be checked in with an agent to receive their flight documents and guardian gate passes.

Traveling with Pets: Pets in the cabin require an agent to review carrier dimensions and verify pet fees.

Troubleshooting Common Boarding Pass Printing Problems

If you encounter issues when trying to print your Delta boarding pass:

• Barcode Looks Faded or Smudged: TSA scanners cannot read distorted barcodes. Reprint the document on a clearer printer or use an airport kiosk upon arrival.
• Browser Print Dialog Does Not Appear: Ensure your web browser allows pop-ups for delta.com, or disable browser ad-blockers temporarily.
• Seat Assignment Shows "Seat Assigned at Gate": Basic Economy tickets or standby passengers may receive a boarding document labeled "Seat Assigned at Gate." This document allows you to pass through TSA security, but you must visit the gate podium to receive your actual seat assignment before boarding.

How to Check the Latest Boarding and Flight Details

Flight gates and boarding times can change after your pass is printed:

• Look at the overhead Flight Information Display screens positioned throughout the airport concourses.
• Compare your printed boarding group number against gate announcements. Delta boards in defined groups starting with First Class/Delta One, followed by Comfort+, Sky Priority, and Main Cabin tiers.
• Enable text or push notifications on your smartphone to catch last-minute gate changes.

What to Do If You Need Help

If you cannot access your reservation or experience travel disruptions:

• Airport Service Desks: Visit Delta customer service counters inside the terminal lobby or near your gate.
• Self-Service Rebooking Kiosks: Can reprint passes and show alternative flights during schedule disruptions.
• Independent Telephone Support: When long lines form at airport desks, calling our independent flight assistance desk provides quick help with ticketing and reservation verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print my Delta boarding pass at home?

Yes. You can print your boarding pass at home by checking in at delta.com within 24 hours of scheduled departure and clicking "Print Boarding Pass."

Can I print my boarding pass at the airport for free?

Yes. Delta self-service kiosks and ticket counters print paper boarding passes completely free of charge at every airport served by the airline.

What information do I need to print a boarding pass at a Delta kiosk?

You can access your reservation at an airport kiosk by scanning your passport, swiping the credit card used for booking, or typing in your 6-character confirmation code or SkyMiles number.

Can I reprint my boarding pass if I lose it?

Yes. You can reprint your pass at delta.com under "My Trips," use an airport self-service kiosk, or ask a Delta agent at the ticket counter or gate podium for a replacement.

Do I need a printed boarding pass if I have the Fly Delta app?

No. An electronic boarding pass on the Fly Delta app or stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet is fully accepted by TSA security and gate scanners at nearly all commercial airports.

Why does my printed boarding pass say "Seat Assigned at Gate"?

This occurs on Basic Economy tickets or standby travel where a specific seat has not been assigned in advance. You can use the document to clear TSA security, then pick up your seat assignment from the gate agent.

Conclusion

Printing a Delta Air Lines boarding pass is simple whether you do it at home via delta.com starting 24 hours prior to takeoff or use a free self-service kiosk at the airport. While mobile passes in the Fly Delta app are convenient, carrying a printed paper pass provides valuable peace of mind and battery backup. Verify that your printed barcode is crisp and clear, and always monitor airport departure screens for gate updates.

Policies, fees, schedules and availability can change. Verify the latest information with Delta Air Lines or the applicable airport before traveling.

If you have questions about your itinerary or need assistance managing bookings, contact our independent travel assistance desk at +1 725 765 9837.