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Online Ticket Bookings
Alaska Airlines is the first to sell airline tickets online. https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/history/alaska-first-to-sell-tickets-internet/ -
Expedia and Travelocity
Expedia was launched first and later in the year 1996, Travelocity is launched to allow travelers online booking capability for air, hotels, and car rentals. https://www.cbtravel.com/blog/2013/10/a-brief-overview-and-history-of-the-travel-industry/ -
Smoking Ban
Smoking on the plane becomes banned on all domestic flights. https://www.burnsmcd.com/insightsnews/insights/aviation-special-report/2011/timeline-of-commercial-aviation -
Web-Based Boarding Process
This marks the release of the first web-based passenger check-in and online boarding passes for the airline industry. https://www.burnsmcd.com/insightsnews/insights/aviation-special-report/2011/timeline-of-commercial-aviation -
Euro Introduced
The Euro is introduced in non-physical form and all participating countries' currencies are locked at fixed exchange rates, easing travel between participating countries. Physical bills and coins wouldn't be introduced for another three years. https://ec.europa.eu/info/about-european-union/euro/history-euro/history-euro_en -
TripAdvisor was created
February 2000 Tripadvisor was created, and changed the way destinations could be found and reviewed.
https://tripadvisor.mediaroom.com/us-about-us -
Paid Space Tourist
Dennis Tito becomes the first person that pays to visit space. https://www.space.com/11492-space-tourism-pioneer-dennis-tito.html -
TSA Created
The Travel Security Administration is created in response to the Sept. 11th, 2001 attacks, taking over airline security from private security firms. https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/03150 -
Hotel WiFi
Hotel WiFi becomes available to more than 6,000 hotel guests and begins to grow in use by guests. https://www.wexinc.com/wex-travel/take-a-trip-down-memory-lane-a-timeline-of-travel-tech-firsts/ -
Concord Retired
The last Concord supersonic passenger jets in service were retired due to the cost of operation. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2934257.stm -
Airbus A380
Airbus A380 is released for its first flight with a commercial service capable of carrying up to 853 passengers.
Information and interesting video of the Airbus A380's first flight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4JJ_0lWYRs -
Airbnb Launched
Airbnb gave travelers the option of renting private homes and luxurious spaces, while giving owners a way to rent their space short term
https://www.airbnb.com/about/about-us -
Airport Scanners
The Transportation Security Administration officially accepts airport scanners as the primary method of before flight screening. https://www.burnsmcd.com/insightsnews/insights/aviation-special-report/2011/timeline-of-commercial-aviation Image and interesting video of 2009 TSA body scanners - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrXpAxoHrCo -
Hotel Room Technology Trend Adaption
The first hotel room iPad, released by the company Apple, is used at The Plaza Hotel in NYC. http://intelitycorp.com/main/brief-look-history-hotel-technology/ -
Most airlines eliminate fee meals and baggage
Airlines begin eliminating meals from being included as part of the flight.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39619072/ns/travel-business_travel/t/free-meals-planes-fly-sunset/#.WhISiM9hgaI -
KLM Airlines created Meet & Seat
Meet & Seat is an innovative way for travelers to choose their seat and find out who they are sitting next to based on social media profiles.
https://www.klm.com/travel/us_en/prepare_for_travel/on_board/your_seat_on_board/meet_and_seat.htm -
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Disappears
Flight 370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappears midflight, only minor pieces of the plane are recovered. This event prompts major reforms in airline tracking technologies and standards. https://phys.org/news/2016-03-airlines-safety-technologies-mh370.html
