Greetings Queryman:
You didn't specify domestic or international in your queries so I've
endeavored to locate all variants for you, where possible.
***************
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CARRIER ONLINE TICKET SALES: 1995
From The FrequentFlier Crier - A weekly summary of travel news &
opinion
Issue #37 -- March 25, 1999:
"Introduced in 1995, United Connection services allow travelers to
book their own travel online with over 500 airlines, 45 car rental
companies and 30,000 hotels around the world. The program can be used
to check airline schedules, shop for the lowest fares, purchase
tickets, select seats, and research and reserve hotel rooms and rental
cars directly from the user's desktop."
FIRST WORLDWIDE SYSTEM ONLINE TICKET SALES: 1998
From The FrequentFlier Crier - A weekly summary of travel news &
opinion - Issue #15 -- October 1, 1998
"American Airlines is set to become the first airline to make
electronic ticketing available throughout its entire worldwide system.
The expansion will bring electronic ticketing to all 44 countries
served by American and its regional airline affiliate, American
Eagle."
From http://frequentflier.com/ffc-1001.htm
FIRST DOMESTIC CARRIER ONLINE TICKET SALES: 1995
"Alaska Airlines was the first domestic carrier to sell tickets on the
Web in 1995 and the first to introduce Web check-in, in September
1999. Customers can purchase tickets online, check in and print their
boarding pass online from their home or office."
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/5677.html
"In 1995, Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air became the
first U.S. airlines to book travel and sell tickets via the Internet.
In 1999, they were the first to introduce Web-based passenger check-in
and the issuance of on-line boarding passes."
From http://www.wongdoody.com/current_news.asp?Id=3&pressId=60
"Everypath’s Platform Makes the Current Solution “Future-Proof” Alaska
Airlines prides itself on being technologically at the head of the
pack in terms of customer convenience. The airline was the first
domestic carrier to sell tickets on the Web in 1995 and the first to
introduce Web check-in in September of 1999"
From http://www.everypath.com/news/pressrelease/120400a.shtml
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FIRST FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM ACCESS ONLINE: 1995 and 1996
"1995 - The first American Airlines Web site is launched, providing
corporate, AAdvantage and passenger information."
"1996 In March, American introduced Net SAAver FaresŪ, the first
e-mail service of its kind. By spring, the site offers online fare
quotes and flight and gate information. In June, a redesigned Web site
is launched. Also during June, the online reservations tool is added.
Before the end of the year, customers can check their AAdvantage
account status and mileage levels using the Web site. In addition,
American begins advertising on the Internet."
From http://www.aa.com/content/aboutAA/pressGuide/technicalHighlights.jhtml
"American's AAdvantage--the first and still the most robust of the
frequent flyer programs--has more than 40 million members."
http://frequentflier.com/ff101300.htm
****************
First airline to allow its frequent flyer members to redeem free
ticket awards online: 1998
"Northwest in 1998 was the first airline to provide its frequent
flyers with the ability to redeem frequent flyer miles online.."
http://www.gamingmagazine.com/managearticle.asp?c=70&a=106
***************
A History of Frequent Flyer Programs - OFFLINE HISTORY
"In May 1981, American Airlines (AA) introduced AAdvantage, the first
FFP...Within days of the introduction of AAdvantage, United (UA)
introduced their own program, Mileage Plus...Later that same year
(1981), both Delta and TWA introduced their programs..."
http://frequentflier.com/ffp-005.htm#Beginning
****************
Should you require any clarification of the links or information I
have provided, please request it before closing and rating the
question and I will be happy to respond.
Best regards,
journalist-ga
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Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
28 Aug 2003 11:16 PDT
ADDENDUM: I inadvertantly misstated the the first citation source.
It currently reads:
From The FrequentFlier Crier - A weekly summary of travel news &
opinion
Issue #37 -- March 25, 1999:
"Introduced in 1995, United Connection services allow travelers to
book their own travel online with over 500 airlines, 45 car rental
companies and 30,000 hotels around the world. The program can be used
to check airline schedules, shop for the lowest fares, purchase
tickets, select seats, and research and reserve hotel rooms and rental
cars directly from the user's desktop."
It should have read:
From Web Travel News
"Introduced in 1995, United Connection services allow travelers to
book their own travel online with over 500 airlines, 45 car rental
companies and 30,000 hotels around the world. The program can be used
to check airline schedules, shop for the lowest fares, purchase
tickets, select seats, and research and reserve hotel rooms and rental
cars directly from the user's desktop."
http://www.webtravelnews.com/archive/article.html?id=26
My apologies for any confusion.
Best regards,
journalist-ga
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