Different Types of Flight Tickets

Electronic Ticket

After the "paper" ticket and then the "magnetic" ticket, air travel (along with other sectors like trains) has now moved to the era of the "e-ticket" or "electronic ticket." In fact, it became the international standard in 2008.

Benefits for Everyone

The shift from a "physical" ticket to a "virtual" one was made possible thanks to the development of the Internet. Overall, this change has brought advantages for everyone, and the public has generally welcomed the arrival of new technologies in air travel.

Of course, the number one advantage for carriers is a significant reduction in costs—from $10 for a paper version to less than $1 for an e-ticket. This also simplifies ticket management.

For the customer, the main benefit comes in case of a lost travel document. In the past, a lost ticket had to be reissued, which could sometimes lead to partial or no reimbursement, depending on the ticket type. With the electronic ticket, things are simple: just having the ticket number or reprinting it solves the problem.

A Travel Contract

Like its predecessors, the e-ticket is a travel document and, above all, a contract between the airline and the passenger, even if it was purchased through an agency or online. It also serves as proof of payment for the trip.

This contract stipulates, among other things, that an airline is presumed liable for damages to passengers or baggage during transport. This liability can only be waived if the airline proves it took all necessary measures to avoid the damage or that it was impossible to do so. In addition to liability, the contract outlines the general rights and obligations of airlines and passengers, which can serve as a reference in case of a dispute.

Information on a Ticket

A ticket includes the passenger’s details (tickets are non-transferable), the planned itinerary, airline references (which may not be the one operating the flight), flight details, class, ticket number, booking status, departure dates and times, pricing and taxes, baggage allowance, and other data related to the ticket’s issuance. This information appears either in plain text or as codes.

Additional details may sometimes be included, such as entry requirements, prohibited items on board, etc. To avoid issues, the issuing agency may also add a note like "Return reconfirmation mandatory no later than 72 hours before departure" to remind the passenger that this formality must be completed with an airline representative or tour operator (for charters) to avoid cancellation. That said, for scheduled flights, more and more carriers (including European ones) no longer require reconfirmation.

Using the E-Ticket

After purchasing a flight, the electronic ticket is sent by email if the transaction was done online, or "issued" directly if bought through a physical agency. The same applies to bundled services with a summary e-ticket.

On the day of departure, at the airport, you simply check in at the airline’s counter or self-service kiosks. The same applies for charters through the tour operator.

Generally, you don’t need to print your e-ticket (though it’s still recommended in case of issues), and the ticket number is sufficient.

If checking in at a kiosk, you must use the payment card originally used. At a counter, the ticket number and an ID (and sometimes the credit card) will suffice. Note that online check-in is also increasingly available.

Variations and the Future

Frequent flyers with certain airlines may have access to variations, such as smart cards that function either as a payment card or a rechargeable pass for multiple trips. These cards can be used for check-in (at self-service kiosks) and boarding (automatic recognition).

Similarly, mobile phones are becoming an increasingly common—or at least considered—tool for airlines, always with the goal of reducing costs. After paperless tickets, airlines are now targeting "virtual" boarding passes on mobile devices. After checking in online, the passenger receives their boarding pass with a secure barcode via SMS or email, depending on their phone type. At the airport, they show their mobile boarding pass at the counter to check in luggage, then proceed to boarding in the same way, where the barcode is scanned. IATA estimates the savings from this system at $4 to $5 per passenger.

Different Options

Charters, scheduled flights, "low-cost," open tickets, promotions, category-based fares—there’s a wide range of choices and multiple options for those traveling by plane...