With airlines bracing for record demand, Brits are being warned that they risk a holiday nightmare – even with a valid ticket and passport – thanks to an often overlooked aspect of travellers’ tickets.
According to SCS Chauffeurs, a luxury airport transfer provider, Brits should be paying close attention to the “SEQ” number — often ignored by passengers — as it could potentially ruin your holiday before you’ve even taken off.
Hadleigh Diamond, luxury airport chauffeur provider at SCS Chauffeurs, explains, “SEQ stands for Sequence Number, and it tells airlines the order in which you checked in for your flight. A SEQ of 001 means you were the first to check in; 152 means you were the 152nd. While it doesn’t affect your seat assignment or boarding group, it’s crucial during overbooked flights, especially on budget airlines.
When flights are oversold, which is increasingly common during peak periods – airlines have to choose who gets involuntarily denied boarding. One of the factors used is the check in order. If you were one of the last to check in, you’re more likely to be at the bottom of the priority list.
When we arrange transfers, we often remind passengers to ensure they’ve checked in early, whenever possible, to avoid a potential flight issue”
Why it matters
With travel demand surging, overbooking has become standard practice across major airlines. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, more than 6 million passengers were denied boarding globally in the last year, with many unaware that early check-in could have protected their seat.
“Airlines tend to overbook flights as not all passengers turn up on the day.
When a flight is so overbooked that passengers are denied boarding or offloaded, the airline will usually ask for volunteers. But if no-one comes forward, each airline will deny boarding to passengers in line with its own policies.
For many airlines, this involves using the SEQ number as a fair tie-breaker.
You might be more likely to be denied boarding if you’re travelling alone or without luggage, have paid the lowest fare or were the last to check-in”
Top tips for getting a lower SEQ
- Check in as early as possible – Most airlines allow online check-in 24–48 hours before departure. Set a reminder and do it the moment it opens.
- Look for SEQ on your boarding pass – It’s usually printed under or near the barcode. A low number is better.
- Don’t assume a booked seat = guaranteed flight – Overbooking affects all classes, including economy with assigned seating.
- If you’re flying with friends or family, make sure everyone checks in together to avoid getting split up by the SEQ system. In worst-case scenarios, some members may board while others are denied.