Paper Tickets For Flights Are Going Bye Bye

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Most major airlines will no longer be issuing the paper tickets while a few smaller airlines may hang onto the older ticket version. International Air Transport Association which handles most of the major airline ticketing will no longer be using paper as of June 1, 2008.

As it stands now less than 14% of tickets issued are of the paper variety. With more than 400 million flights that's a staggering number of E-tickets to start with.

Each paper ticket costs an airline $10 to $17 while the ticket handled by e-mail only costs $1.

“From the airline perspective, it’s 100 percent upside,” said Robert Mann, an airline consultant in Port Washington, N.Y.

The e-ticket also lets an airline keep up to date on revenue tracking much quicker. With paper tickets the airlines have to bundle up the tickets and send them to a processing plant for analyzation.

The e-ticket also makes it easier for the consumer by handling their bookings without the need of a travel agent.

“It’s very simple for the customer and has far superior protections for the customer,” said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines parent AMR Corp.

The customer has taken on the role of the travel agent which makes the pocket of the airline a little heavier.