12. Paper Tickets and Manual Check-In
Before the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 2001, air travel relied heavily on paper tickets and manual check-in processes. Passengers would visit travel agencies or airline offices to purchase tickets, which were often handwritten or printed on multi-layered forms. At the airport, check-in involved queuing at counters, where agents would manually verify travel documents and issue boarding passes. This system was time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to the adoption of electronic tickets (e-tickets) and online check-in systems in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The transition to digital processes streamlined operations, reduced costs, and enhanced the overall travel experience. More on the transition to digital at Travel + Leisure.
