KLM Royal Dutch Airlines began phasing in electronic tickets (e.tickets) on April 3, 2002…
Quicker and easier
Passengers traveling on e.tickets do not receive a paper ticket. Proof of reservation is not required, because the traveler`s personal and flight data are electronically stored in KLM`s reservations system. At check-in, e.ticket passengers simply present their passport to the desk employee, who then prints a boarding pass at the press of a button. Passengers who are able to present their ticket number will pass through check-in even more quickly. A further advantage of e.tickets is that they cannot be lost or stolen. If they wish, passengers can request a printout of their itinerary and ticket data when booking their flight or at the check-in desk, KLM ticket office, or e.service centers at the airport.
E.ticket passengers traveling with carry-on baggage only can use KLM`s e.service centers for self-service check in (e.check-in). Naturally, e.ticket passengers are subject to the same security measures as passengers with paper tickets and must present proper documentation at passport control.
Free travel with Dutch train operator NS
Since October 1, 2000, passengers flying with KLM and partner airlines can travel to and from their flight at Amsterdam Schiphol airport on trains operated by NS free of charge, provided they can show a paper KLM ticket. This is of course impossible for passengers traveling with an e.ticket. KLM and NS have meanwhile found a solution for this problem in the form of a special voucher, due to be introduced before this summer. Meanwhile, paper tickets will continue to be required for free train travel to and from Schiphol, as will all other air-rail services offered by KLM.
In the United States, around 65% percent of all tickets sold are e.tickets. In Europe, the percentage of e.tickets is also on the increase. Some 60% of all European passengers are expected to travel on an e-ticket in three years` time.
KLM e.ticket destinations from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to:
Aberdeen
Bangkok
Barcelona
Beijing
Belin
Birmingham
Bremen
Chicago
Cologne
Copenhagen
Dusseldorf
Eindhoven
Frankfurt
Glasgow
Hamburg
Hongkong
London (City)
London (Heathrow)
London (Stansted)
Lyon
Maastricht
Madrid
Manchester
Manila
Munich
Norwich
Osaka
Oslo
Paris (Charles de Gaulle)
Rome
Rotterdam
San Francisco
Seoul
Singapore
Stockholm
Tokio
Vienna
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
