Electronic ticket record (ETR)

The electronic ticket record (ETR) is a digital version of a traditional paper airline ticket that stores all travel and payment details in the airline’s reservation system. With an ETR, there’s no need for a physical ticket—the passenger only needs a booking reference or e-ticket number to check in.

Its introduction in the 1990s was a major step in the airline industry’s shift toward digitalization. It replaced older formats like the ATB (Automated Ticket and Boarding Pass), reducing printing costs, simplifying operations, and speeding up the check-in process. Most airlines now issue only electronic tickets, especially when bookings are made through self-service reservation systems, online travel agencies (OTAs), or mobile apps.

An ETR includes all key information: passenger name, itinerary, fare details, taxes, payment method, and ticket status. It also supports connections between different airlines through interline agreements, allowing travelers to book multi-leg journeys on partner carriers under one record. Today, ETRs are a standard in modern revenue management systems (RMSs) and global distribution systems (GDSs).