The inconsistency between passport sizes and boarding pass formats creates daily challenges for millions of travelers and airport staff. While passports follow a strict international standard (125 × 88 mm), boarding passes vary wildly—from mobile versions to differently-sized printouts—leading to handling difficulties, processing delays, and unnecessary travel stress. Standardizing boarding passes to match passport dimensions could streamline the entire airport experience.

How Standardization Would Work

One approach would involve coordinating with airlines and regulatory bodies to align all boarding pass formats—whether printed at home, at kiosks, or displayed digitally—with passport proportions. Physical passes would adopt the ID-3 size standard, while mobile versions would maintain aspect ratios that translate properly when printed. This could create several immediate benefits:

• Easier bundling in passport holders/wallets
• Faster scanning processes at security and gates
• Reduced paper waste from irregular printouts

Stakeholder Landscape and Implementation

Airlines might initially resist system changes, but passenger experience improvements and potential efficiency gains could incentivize adoption. One way to test feasibility would be a pilot program with partner carriers, measuring queue times and traveler satisfaction. Over time, organizations like IATA could help scale the standard globally, similar to how passport dimensions became universal.

Complementing Existing Solutions

Standardized boarding passes wouldn't replace digital innovations but would enhance them—mobile passes would still function normally while ensuring printed versions meet the new size. This approach builds on lessons from other travel standardization efforts like Common Pass, focusing specifically on solving document handling friction that digital solutions alone don't address.

While requiring industry coordination, this standardization could significantly reduce a persistent, overlooked pain point in air travel. Early adopters might gain customer loyalty advantages while helping shape what could eventually become a universal travel standard.