E-ticketing is now the dominant mode of airline ticket distribution. When consumers make reservations and buy tickets online, they're purchasing e-tickets. The receipt page displayed after payment contains a record locator or confirmation number, which is linked within the airline's system to the traveler's name, reservation and e-ticket numbers. One of the biggest advantages to an e-ticket is that it can't be lost, stolen or forgotten at home.
When e-ticket holders arrive at the airport, they can simply present their official identification to receive a boarding pass, or streamline the process even more by printing a computer-generated boarding pass at home, or using an airport self-service check-in kiosk. With an e-ticket, travelers with carry-on luggage can avoid most lines until reaching the TSA security screening. Less time spent checking in is a huge advantage to passengers, especially business travelers who often have hectic schedules.
The advent of e-ticking has saved the airlines an estimated $3 billion worldwide, and reduced production costs from $10 to $1 per ticket, reports Bryce Wilson of the International Airline Transportation Association. E-ticketing improves airline check-in efficiency and permits accurate assessment of seat availability. In addition, by eliminating paper tickets, 50,000 trees are saved annually.
The paper ticket may have gone the way of the dinosaur, but that doesn't mean its replacement is not without a downside. Paper ticket holders are still in a better position if they're unexpectedly forced to change airline carriers; in some cases, e-tickets aren't easily transferred between airlines, especially overseas. The elimination of paper tickets has also led to the demise of many local travel agencies that served as ticket distribution points, a disadvantage to passengers since travel agents were often their advocates. Airlines still make paper tickets available to travelers, but at an additional cost.
