Why Should A Person Never Share Pic Of Boarding Pass Online

Sharing a picture of your boarding pass on social media to share your travel excitement might seem like an innocent moment, but it can expose you to significant cybersecurity and personal safety risks. (Image: Pexels)

The Hidden Data: The Bar Code And The PNR
The barcode or QR code on your boarding pass does not just contain basic flight details; it is encoded using the IATA Bar Coded Boarding Pass (BCBP) standard. Anyone with a free smartphone scanning app can easily decode this data to reveal sensitive information:
– Your Full Name: Identical to how it appears on your passport.
– Passenger Name Record (PNR): The 6-character alphanumeric booking code.
– Frequent Flyer Number: Used to track your travel patterns or steal your air miles.
– Contact Information: Your email address and phone number linked to the reservation. (Image: Pexels)

Flight Manipulation and Account Takeover
With just your last name and the PNR, malicious actors can access the airline’s “Manage My Booking” portal. From there, they can cause a lot of disruption:
– Changing or Canceling Flights: There are documented cases of strangers canceling a passenger’s return flight out of malice.
– Altering Details: Attackers can change your seat to a less desirable one or maliciously alter meal and dietary preferences for a long-haul flight. (Image: Pexels)

Identity Theft and Financial Exposure
In many airline systems, accessing the PNR acts as a master key to deeper personal data. Depending on the airline, a malicious actor might be able to view:
– The last four digits of your credit card.
– Your passport number and date of birth (if provided for international travel).
– Your complete travel itinerary and hotel details. (Image: Pexels)

Heightened Burglary Risks at Home
Posting your boarding pass announces exactly when your home will be empty. Burglars can use the exact date and time of departure—and sometimes your return dates—to know exactly how much time they have to target your property while you are away. (Image: Pexels)

Best Practices To Share Your Boarding Pass On Social Media:
– Cover the Barcode and PNR: Never leave your PNR or barcode visible. Use a solid object (like a physical passport) to cover them up rather than digital blur or brush tools, which can sometimes be reversed by tech-savvy individuals.
– Post After Landing: Share your photos once you are safely at your destination or back home.
– Shred Physical Passes: Do not throw your paper boarding pass in airport bins, as dumpster divers can extract the data. Shred it or tear the barcode into small, unreadable pieces. (Image: Pexels)