Types of Airline Tickets — Manual, OPTAT, ATB, e-Ticket, PNR & Class of Travel
Aviation · Part 3 · Module 25
Types of Airline Tickets — Manual, OPTAT, ATB, e-Ticket, PNR & Class of Travel
Not all airline tickets are the same — they have evolved through four major formats over 90 years. Understanding each type, what it contains, and how it works is fundamental knowledge for every aviation and travel professional.
🎫 The 4 Types of Airline Ticket Formats
1. Manual / Hand-Written Ticket
The oldest form. All details written manually by the booking agent. Issued during emergency situations — computer malfunction, printer breakdown, system downtime. Uses 2 or 4 coupons with carbon copies. If the airline/flight choice is unavailable, the word “VOID” is marked on top of the coupon and separated from the perforation. The last coupon goes to the passenger — the ticket is not valid for travel without it. No longer in regular use.
2. OPTAT — Off-Premise Transitional Automated Ticket
Paper ticket sold through IATA-licensed travel agencies in the universal IATA document format. Issued in 4 flight coupons. The active/valid segment of the journey is shaded brighter in colour than invalid segments. The brightest portion must be used first according to the itinerary. Includes: passenger receipt coupons, flight coupons, and cover with notices and detailed journey information. Historical transition format between manual and automated ticketing.
3. ATB — Automated Ticket / Boarding Pass
Issued as a single copy, non-coupon format, with each coupon imprinted separately. Has two main portions: Flight Coupon (used as boarding pass) and Passenger Coupon/Receipt (retained by passenger showing full itinerary details). Separated by perforation. Issued primarily by principal airlines/carriers. The passenger holds a series of cards with control, seat assignment, flight, and passenger information.
4. e-Ticket (Electronic Ticket / ET)
The standard today. Paperless — information stored electronically in GDS and airline reservation system. Booked online via travel agency websites or company portals. Ticket confirmation sent to registered email and mobile number. Passenger shows email confirmation + identity proof at airport to receive boarding pass per sector. No printing required. Cannot be lost or forgotten. IATA mandated all airlines move to 100% e-ticketing from 1 June 2008.
🔖 PNR — Passenger Name Record
Example PNR Code
XY4A7Q
Each PNR is unique · Stored in airline’s CRS database · Contains complete itinerary, passenger details, and booking history
The PNR (Passenger Name Record) is a unique code assigned to each booking, stored in the CRS database. It contains the detailed itinerary of a traveller or a group travelling together with common goals. Airlines introduced PNR to exchange reservation information when travellers need to change between multiple flights during a journey. The IBE (Internet Booking Engine) uses GDS to generate and manage PNRs.
🎟️ Classes and Types of Tickets
✈️ Economy Class
Cheapest class. Standard seating — more cramped, less space. Meals typically not included on LCCs (ordered separately if required). Some airlines offer only economy class (especially LCCs). Highest demand globally — democratises air travel.
💼 Business Class
Flat-bed seats on long-haul flights. Better food and beverage service. More legroom and recline. Priority check-in and boarding. Business lounge access. Preferred by corporate travellers. Significantly higher fare than economy.
👑 First Class
Most comfortable and spacious seats — convertible to beds on long-haul. Best quality food and beverages including alcoholic. Private cabin/suite on some airlines (Emirates A380, Singapore Suites). Exclusive lounge access with fine dining. Extra legroom, premium amenity kits. Highest fare — often 8-10x economy price.
🧒 Child Ticket
Infants under 2 years: no separate seat — sits on guardian’s lap, nominal charge (~10% of adult fare). Children 2-12 years: discounted fare (typically 75% of adult fare), own seat required. Children 12+ years: full adult fare.
🔄 Round-Trip Ticket
Passenger travels from origin to destination and returns to origin. Same airline throughout. Cheaper per-leg than two one-way tickets. Airlines offer additional discounts for round-trip bookings on the same carrier.
➡️ One-Way Ticket
Onward journey only — no return booking. Passenger books separately for return/onward journey. More expensive per leg than round-trip on many carriers.
✅ Refundable Ticket
Eligible for refund if trip cancelled. Passenger may change travel date (airline-dependent rules apply). Higher price than non-refundable. Preferred for uncertain travel plans or corporate travel with frequent changes.
❌ Non-Refundable Ticket
No refund on cancellation. Discounted fare — hence the restriction. LCC tickets typically non-refundable with hand baggage only. Best value for committed travel plans. Some allow date change with penalty fee.
🌐 Internet Booking Engines (IBE)
An IBE (Internet Booking Engine) is a web application supporting airline reservation systems via the internet. Key features: multiple route search, fare comparison, real-time availability, seat map selection, ancillary service add-ons (baggage, meals, priority boarding), and payment processing. IBEs work with GDS to access global inventory. Examples: airline websites (Air India, IndiGo), OTA platforms (MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Booking.com).
🎯 UGC NET Key Points — Module 25
◆ 4 ticket formats: Manual (emergency) · OPTAT (4-coupon paper) · ATB (automated coupon+boarding pass) · e-Ticket (electronic)
◆ OPTAT: sold through IATA-licensed agencies · 4 flight coupons · brightest segment = travel first
◆ ATB: 2 portions = Flight Coupon (boarding pass) + Passenger Receipt (itinerary)
◆ e-Ticket: IATA mandate from 1 June 2008 — all IATA airlines to 100% e-ticketing
◆ PNR = Passenger Name Record = unique booking code stored in CRS
◆ VOID = marked on invalid/unused coupons
◆ Infant (under 2): no seat, nominal fare · Child (2-12): 75% adult fare
◆ Refundable = eligible for refund (higher price) · Non-refundable = no refund (lower price)
◆ IBE = Internet Booking Engine — web-based booking application linked to GDS
◆ Fare codes: F (First), J (Business Premium), C (Business), Y (Economy), H (Peak), L (Lean)
◆ OPTAT: sold through IATA-licensed agencies · 4 flight coupons · brightest segment = travel first
◆ ATB: 2 portions = Flight Coupon (boarding pass) + Passenger Receipt (itinerary)
◆ e-Ticket: IATA mandate from 1 June 2008 — all IATA airlines to 100% e-ticketing
◆ PNR = Passenger Name Record = unique booking code stored in CRS
◆ VOID = marked on invalid/unused coupons
◆ Infant (under 2): no seat, nominal fare · Child (2-12): 75% adult fare
◆ Refundable = eligible for refund (higher price) · Non-refundable = no refund (lower price)
◆ IBE = Internet Booking Engine — web-based booking application linked to GDS
◆ Fare codes: F (First), J (Business Premium), C (Business), Y (Economy), H (Peak), L (Lean)
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