Northwest likely will be the first U.S. airline to issue only electronic tickets, which means the tickets only exist in a computer. In December, its issuance rate of "e-tickets" reached 99.9 percent nationally (98 percent globally). The Eagan-based airline issues more than 30 million tickets a year.Other U.S. carriers, such as Continental Airlines with a 97 percent e-ticket rate, are on Northwest's heels as the global industry moves toward the goal of erasing paper tickets by the end of the year. Some European low-cost carriers already are completely e-ticket, but e-tickets overall account for 77 percent of all global tickets today.
Despite some international challenges, "the industry is confident that it will make the target," said Philippe Bruyere, director of the program to simplify air travel for the International Air Transport Association.
Airlines are moving toward eliminating other customer paper documents as well, such as forms for excess baggage and traveling pets. They're also expanding self-service options, including check in kiosks at hotels, on cruise ships and at convention centers. Another innovation: figuring out how travelers can check-in using cell phones and other mobile devices — like some Asian airlines already do. This is the future not only for ailines but for sports teams, movies and all other ticket based events.