Why you never want to see SSSS on your boarding pass before a flight

The Sun

27-06-2025

ONE traveller has revealed a code on boarding passes that you will want to avoid at all costs.
Chloe Jade Meltzer, 30, has shared that some boarding passes have an 'SSSS' code on that actually mean you have been selected for additional security checks.
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Chloe has been travelling the world since 2015, racking up a total of 162 countries visited.
Out of the hundreds of times she has travelled, she is lucky enough to only have had 'SSSS' on her boarding pass six times.
The four letters stand for 'secondary security screening selection' and mean that a passenger has been flagged for an additional security check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before boarding their flight.
In practice, this means that the selected passenger will have to have more pat-downs, hand swabs and thorough luggage checks before boarding their flight.
Chloe said one of the most common signs a traveller will have 'SSSS' appear on their boarding pass, is if they don't get it handed to them immediately.
The New York-based travel blogger said: "I have gotten 'SSSS' on my boarding pass periodically over the years.
"When I get one, I will just try get the checks out of the way and head straight to the boarding gate to be screened again by airline staff.
"Usually, how long it takes depends on how fast you get to the boarding gate, how your bags are packed and how fast they are at searching."
She added that if you are one of the unfortunate ones who gets flagged, then you will be pulled aside at the gate before you board your flight.
You will then most likely be given a pat down or a detailed search of your luggage.
Some passengers might even be tested for explosives.
Chloe added: "You also might be asked a few extra question like where you're going and how long you're staying there.
"It can feel very targeted but usually this will be going on for a few other people as well or sometimes half the plane.
"I personally don't like this because it takes longer, you can't do this before boarding, they do it exactly at boarding."
There are many reasons why a traveller may get the code on their boarding pass, but Chloe shared that one reason is because of the countries you may have travelled to.
Some countries are flagged and indicate potential issues or alerts, for example, if you only purchased a one-way ticket.
The blogger added that it is important to not panic when you get the code on your boarding pass though, as it is issued randomly.
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"They say it is randomly selected, sometimes it's because you have travelled to certain countries that are flagged, or because you bought a one-way ticket," she shared.
"Sometimes you might be on a watch list because you name is similar to one that they have flagged, or you have two different passports, you have passport irregularities.
"If you get the dreaded 'SSSS' don't worry, it doesn't mean you're in trouble because it is random.
"Just deal with it, be ready to board early and get it done."
There is also a major change for travellers as boarding passes and check-in to be scrapped in new airport rules.
Plus, the little-known discounts your boarding pass can get you on holiday which save you hundreds of pounds.
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