Delta Mandates E-Tix Where Available

Signaling an aggressive move to push e-ticket adoption closer to 100 percent, Delta Air Lines this morning stopped issuing paper tickets for all travel itineraries for which e-tickets are available.

Customers only can convert e-tickets to paper for a $10 fee at reservations centers and airport ticket counters. However, the fee is waived for SkyMiles Medallion members and full fare, unrestricted tickets. The fee does not apply if the tickets originally were issued or converted by a travel agent, but will apply if Delta converts a travel agent-issued ticket to paper.

According to Delta, approximately 75 percent of its customers currently use e-tickets. That is the same percentage as Northwest Airlines and more than American, United or Continental airlines.

Delta's fee echoes a $10 fee instated by American Airlines last April on all paper tickets (BTN, April 9, 2001) though a flurry of e-ticket interline announcements this spring, most notably between American and United airlines, has eased the challenge of delivering multi-airline itineraries on e-tickets.