Delta Airlines' e-ticket is an electronic reservation embedded with a record locator number for a passenger's designated trip on U.S. domestic and most international flights. E-tickets are mandatory under the directives of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since June 2008 for its airline members.
History
The U.S. Patent Office issued a patent in 1998 for an "electronic ticketing and reservation system and method" to its inventor, Joel R. Goheen. The format of the e-ticket in the original patent went through several retrofits before its operational status.
Issuance
A Delta e-ticket confirmation number is issued immediately once a flight reservation is booked and paid for. If the reservation is made by phone or through a travel agent, a Delta reservation number is given and a copy of the reservation is mailed to the passenger.
On-Line Check-In Procedure
Domestic Delta flight passengers, not requiring luggage check-in, can pre-print their boarding passes with their e-ticket reservation number online. The traveler following this process will only need to pass through security to the gate of departure once arriving at the airport.
Airport Procedures
Passengers will need to go to the Delta staffed ticket counters at the airport if they are checking in luggage. The passenger must present the e-ticket reservation booking code to the agent and in turn be issued their boarding pass and luggage check.