NEWS| E-Tickets Only Starting June 1

Mark your calendars: In 100 days, airlines around the world plan to stop issuing paper tickets.

The International Air Transport Association, a trade group representing 240 airlines, announced yesterday that starting June 1, its members will use only electronic tickets. The airlines, which include the big U.S. carriers, account for 94 percent of international air traffic.

With the demise of paper tickets, passengers will get e-tickets. Customers who don't have computers or printers can use ticketing kiosks, such as these at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif. (By Damian Dovarganes -- Associated Press)

Exceptions will be made for small airlines that can't afford new computer systems, but they'll have to pay for the privilege.

"It's about simplifying the business," said Steve Lott, the association's spokesman. The change will make it easier and cheaper for airlines to issue tickets, he said.

Once, travelers purchased airline tickets through travel agents, and paper tickets were mailed to their homes. If you lost your paper ticket or if it was stolen, you could lose your flight.

original article http://www.washingtonpost.com/