Say good-bye to Paper Tickets

[Gambitt]

Air travellers say goodbye to paper tickets

Updated Sun. Jun. 1 2008 7:23 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Starting in June, all travellers on the majority of the world's airlines will have to check-in using an electronic ticket, also known as an e-ticket.

The International Air Transport Association -- which represents some 240 airlines, comprising 94 per cent of scheduled international air traffic -- initiated the cost-saving measure in phases over the last four years.

But, before all the technology-challenged masses get upset, the IATA wants the public to know that a computer won't be needed to book a flight.

"People think when the hear e-ticket... that you have to buy it over the internet," Steven Lott, IATA's head of communications for North America, told CTV.ca. "That's not the case at all.

"The beauty of the e-ticket is that you can still buy it through the traditional distribution channels that you always bought your ticket from."

So, for traditionalists who always book through a travel agent, it simply means they won't get an "old-fashioned paper ticket."

Instead, travellers will receive an itinerary and confirmation number, allowing them to receive a boarding pass at the airport.

Even if the confirmation number is lost, as long as a traveller has identification, they can still receive their boarding pass.

"If a passenger lost a paper-ticket they were out of luck," said Lott. "With e-tickets you don't have to worry about losing your paper ticket."

In total, the airline industry is expected to save about US$3 billion annually.

The majority of airlines around the world have already complied with the new measure, although Africa and Russia have lagged behind.

According to the IATA, 94 per cent of airlines in the U.S. have implemented an e-ticket system.  Excluding the U.S., 94 per cent of North and South American airlines offer e-tickets to passengers.

Airlines that don't comply with the new rules won't be penalized but they'll have to take on the extra costs of printing the tickets.

"It takes $10 to process a paper ticket compared to about $1 dollar to process and electronic ticket," said Lott.

"At a time when fuel prices are at a record high, this couldn't come at a better time for the airlines.

Having used an e-ticket on our last couple of trips, I think I prefer them!
 

[travelchick]

Thanks for the article, Gambitt.  (and btw, the pup is adorable!!)  We have used e-tickets for a few years now.  The one "beef" I have is that the check-in at the airport through those free-standing computers is often problematic.  It was supposed to be more efficient but often is not.   Travelchick 

[flopnfly]

I love E-tickets....no more worrying if you've forgotten the tickets when you arrive at the airport, and because we usually book last minute we previously had to worry about picking our tickets up at the airport. 

[Milli]

   I love the e tickets as well.  I was a bit sceptical at first with everything  based on that little confirmation number but so far so good!!  For the sell off bookings it is nice to not have to decide if you will pick up your tickets at the airport, have them mailed , etc.

[Bulldog]

I think it's great for this day and age, have done it twice and it went smooth as silk