Remember the simpler times when you had to lug around huge folders full of printed tickets? Feels like centuries ago, right? Today, we enjoy the luxury of e-tickets and mobile boarding passes which have made traveling a breeze.
Being a frequent flyer myself, I’ve witnessed the evolution from paper tickets to e-tickets and mobile boarding passes. Let me tell you, it still amazes me every time I present my phone for check-in. It feels like pure magic!
So, What are E-Tickets?
E-tickets, as described by tech guru Matthew Hudson from The Balance, are ‘an electronic version of the paper ticket’ (source). Basically, it’s the same as your paper ticket, but it’s stored in the airline’s computer system, rather than in your hands.
I’ll never forget my first e-ticket experience. I was so anxious that I wouldn’t be able to get on my flight without a physical ticket. How would they know I was a legit passenger? But it turns out, all I had to do was give them my ID and confirmation number. Easy as pie!
Advantages of E-Tickets
- They can’t be lost or stolen as they’re stored in the airline’s system.
- No need to worry about forgetting your ticket at home. They’re always available online.
- Eco-friendly as no paper is used.
- Saves time as you can check online and avoid long queues.
Moving onto Mobile Boarding Passes
Mobile boarding passes are basically the next level of the e-ticket evolution. Instead of having to print your e-ticket or show it from your email, your boarding pass is stored on your mobile device. Dude, can you believe it?
I was both thrilled and intrigued when I first used a mobile boarding pass. I mean, my smartphone is significant in so many parts of my life, why not travel, too? Especially since according to British Airways, ‘more than 1.5 million customers have already boarded an aircraft using a mobile boarding pass’ (source).
Advantages of Mobile Boarding Passes
- Quick and uncomplicated – It’s there at your fingertips.
- Forget about the anxiety of misplacing your boarding pass. Your smartphone’s got you covered!
- No printing required – saving the trees, one boarding pass at a time.
- Many airlines even have dedicated apps, which store multiple boarding passes.
So, that’s the lowdown on e-tickets and mobile boarding passes. They’ve certainly gone a long way in improving our travel experiences, and I’m personally excited to see what the future holds. I’m hoping for teleportation, but I guess we’re a few years away from that!