What Does ‘SSSS’ On Your Boarding Pass Mean?

What Does “SSSS” on Your Boarding Pass Mean?

If you’ve ever glanced at your boarding pass and noticed the letters “SSSS”, you’re not alone—and yes, it can be a little unsettling. Those four letters often come with longer security lines, extra questions, and more thorough screening at the airport.

So what does it actually mean?

What “SSSS” Stands For

SSSS means Secondary Security Screening Selection.

It’s a designation used by airport security—primarily in the United States—to indicate that a passenger has been selected for additional screening before boarding their flight.

What Happens If You Have SSSS on Your Boarding Pass?