Electronic Ticket - Airline Ticket

Airline Ticket

In the case of an airline ticket the e-ticket rapidly replaced the older multi-layered paper tickets (from close to zero to 100% in about 10 years) and became mandatory for IATA members as from June 1, 2008. During the last few years, where paper tickets were still available, airlines frequently charged extra for issuing them.

Once a reservation is made, an e-ticket exists only as a digital record in the airline computers. Customers usually print out or are provided a copy of their e-ticket itinerary receipt which contains the record locator or reservation number and the e-ticket number. It is also possible to print multiple copies of an e-ticket itinerary receipt, hence the "loss" of an airline ticket becomes impossible.

While e-ticket itinerary receipts may at first glance look like a basic itinerary, they contain a number of other features that distinguish them. These same features are found on a paper ticket.

• E-tickets, like their paper counterparts, will contain an official ticket number (including the airline's 3-digit ticketing code, a 4-digit form number, a 6-digit serial number, and sometimes a check digit).
• Carriage terms and conditions, (or at least a reference to them)
• Fare and tax details, including fare calculation details and some additional data such as tour codes. The exact cost might not be stated, but a "fare basis" code will always identify the fare used.
• A short summary of fare restrictions, usually specifying only whether change or refund are permitted but not the penalties to which they are subject.
• Form of payment.
• Issuing office.
• Baggage allowance.

Joel R. Goheen is recognized as the inventor of electronic ticketing in the airline industry. See Patents for Electronic Ticketing Inventions in the Airline Industry.