IATA, The International Air Transport Association, have said farewell to the paper flight tickets 31st of May 2008, so now all flights will be with electronic flight tickets.
Personally I find it much better, it will make it possible to check in with just a passport too. That means no risk to miss your flight if loosing your booking id – if you haven’t lost your passport and memory too 
Besides that, all measures that can be taken to spare the trees in the world are welcome in my opinion – and with the thought of that at it’s peak in 2005, there were 285 billion tickets printed (!) I’d say that it’s needed!
Ticket history:
Paper tickets date back to the 1920s. In 1930, the IATA Traffic Committee developed the first standard hand-written ticket for multiple trips. These same standards served the industry into the early 1970s.
The first ticketing revolution occurred in 1972 with automation and the birth of the IATA neutral paper ticket. For the first time the IATA logo appeared on the cover of tickets that could be used by any travel agent to ticket journeys on almost any airline in the world.
The first e-ticket was issued in 1994. By 1997 IATA had adopted global standards for e-ticketing.
Source: IATA
The travel industry is counted to save about $3 billion each year and with the thought of that 285 billion tickets printed, I wonder how many trees will be saved…?
I’d also say that it’s one step to make the handling at the airports more efficient, but still there is many more steps needed if they don’t want to lose their passengers – especially at some airports.
I saw that yesterday evening in TV. I find it nice too, was a little strange when I checked in only with my passport !
Gattinas last blog post..
You know I find that air travel is just not the fun it once was. When Hubby was still a Captain and I flew all over the world with him I had good meals, good wine and comfortable seats.
Now they toss a bottle of water at you, no food and the seats are small.
I think the carefree days of travel are gone.
Maribeths last blog post..There Is A Disturbance In The Force…..
It’s a good step. Except when my printer strikes and can’t print my ticket at home
Unfortunately, the money the airlines will be saving through this measure is not going to benefit the passengers…
Mars last blog post..this past weekend I…
Indeed, the ending of an era! I remember how years ago, I’d always wait for my tickets to arrive in the mail (this was back before the earth’s crust cooled, mind you).
Technology….wow, it’s advancing.
Enjoy,
Barbara
It’s about time. I love it. Have a great day Captain. Big hug.
Comedy Pluss last blog post..Give Me Five Monday #25
I’ve noticed it too and its a great step forward – we can also save some rain forest with less paperwork you know.
I hope one day in the future, we can do the travel through the internet too – I mean we just need to find out how to change into digital pieces and use a human modem transferee!
RennyBAs last blog post..Adventures shopping trip in Mariestad, Sweden
When you think about it, it sounds so right that you wonder why airlines didn’t move to eliminate paper tickets before this. I mean, everyone is concerned about global warming and talking about reducing travel. Eliminating paper tickets is a big step.
This is really interesting. My wife and son recently went to Tanzania to visit family, and when we left the travel agency they gave us the itinerary and that was it. No tickets, nothing. When I questioned them, they said that they no longer issue tickets. Going to the airport, all that they wanted were the passports, from that they confirmed the flight information and only as a matter of my request they confirmed the booking number etc., so that my wife was on her way to Tanzania and not some other place!
The actual process of buying tickets has become so much simpler from only a few short years ago. But now, of course, the problems arise in going through security.
But all in all, when I spoke to my wife and because we were well prepared her trip was enjoyable even with a 6-year old in tow. There were absolutely no issues with security anywhere. It certainly helps to be prepared before you travel.
Mos last blog post..The Skribit, Skribit, Skribit Files