Family’s Flight Details Sabotaged After Boarding Pass Posted Online

Family Trip to Japan Takes Unexpected Turn

On 6 May, a Hong Kong man traveling with his family to Japan experienced unexpected travel disruptions after he shared images of their boarding passes online. His well-meaning social media post included close-up shots showing personal details such as full names, flight numbers, seat assignments, and barcodes.

Unfortunately, someone reportedly exploited the visible data to tamper with his and his wife’s return flight booking. Their seats were moved, and their meal preferences were switched to special diet options, including diabetic and kosher meals. The prank left the couple separated from their two children mid-journey.

Online Post Sparks Controversy

Initially unaware of the root cause, the man publicly complained about the airline.

‘I just checked-in online and found out that the seats I booked on the return trip early in the morning were not available. Cathay Pacific had to sort them out to share with the whole family. One of the meals my wife and I had was defaulted to be kosher, and the other was defaulted to diabetic meals. I don’t know if it was Cathay Pacific’

Only after being informed by other internet users did he realize the changes resulted from the leaked information in his post. He then deleted the complaint, but not before it circulated widely online.

The incident ignited a debate on social media. Some users sympathised, calling him a victim of malicious behaviour. Others insisted that individuals are responsible for safeguarding their personal data and that his negligence opened the door to the prank.

What Boarding Passes Can Reveal

Boarding passes may appear harmless, but they carry sensitive information. This includes:

Full names and flight details
Booking reference numbers
Seat numbers and frequent flyer data
Barcode data that can access your reservation

With such information, malicious individuals can:

Change seating arrangements
Modify meal preferences
Cancel or alter flight itineraries
Access contact information
Steal frequent flyer points

In extreme cases, attackers can even use this information to uncover other personal details through social media or booking records.

A Reminder for All Travellers

While sharing travel excitement is common, this case highlights the risks of oversharing online. Boarding pass photos, especially those with visible names and barcodes, can lead to serious privacy breaches and travel disruptions.

Experts recommend avoiding the posting of boarding passes altogether. Even partial masking of details may not be enough, as tech-savvy individuals can still retrieve usable data.

In today’s digital age, protecting personal information is an aspect that cannot be overlooked. One careless post can turn a joyful holiday into an unsettling experience.

@thepoortraveler

Here’s why you should refrain from posting your boarding pass online, lalo na if hindi pa flown lahat ng legs ng trip. 😊 #TravelPH #learnontiktok #TikTokTravel #summer

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