The first thing we think you should know is that the International Association of Air Travel Couriers is about to celebrate its 20th Anniversary! Our history is rich with stories about one goal: seeing the world on a shoestring budget. We desire to help human beings who want to explore destinations around the globe. We strive to live up to the budget-minded approach to travel by delivering reliable data and information to our community of Shoestring Travelers around the world.

Pre-Internet History
The International Association of Air Travel Couriers newsletter - Shoestring Traveler - Travel Guide International - was founded in 1989. The newsletter was filled with cheap travel tips and what would become the Air Courier Bulletin. The premier listing of courier firms and courier routes for subscribers who wanted to travel as casual couriers to foreign destinations. Shortly thereafter, an organization was founded by Shoestring Traveler - Travel Guide International members: the International Association of Air Travel Couriers.

Internet History
The domain name - Courier.org (the site you are currently visiting) - was purchased back in 1996. Shortly thereafter, our first Courier.org site appeared on the Internet (visit Internet Archive Way Back Machine to see our archived history). Shortly thereafter, our first subscriber-only site appeared. The subscriber-only web site brought the Air Courier Bulletin online, with old and new courier firms submitting last minute flights, scheduled courier flights, and scheduled routes postings.

In 2004, at the suggestion of I.A.A.T.C. members, we added the Consolidator Flight Engine, affirming the Shoestring Traveler community as a trusted source in global travel.

Post-Internet History
Courier.org is a starting point for those planning a budget-minded trip. Pre-members - visitors - to Courier.org can find selected, timely news, information and articles written by Shoestring Travelers detailing their trips around the world. After subscribing and becoming an official I.A.A.T.C. Member & Shoestring Traveler, you can view current budget travel offers, courier firms and flight postings, and search our consolidator flight engine, to find an affordable flight to destinations around the globe.

Today & Future
Our #1 priority always has been and will continue to be to work with courier companies <em>directly</em> to utilize Shoestring Travelers as on-board couriers. We will continue as a community body and staff to seek out new courier opportunities and maintain solid relationships with traditional firms.

Editor’s Note: In the last few years, a number of imitation air courier services pretend to run “courier associations,” but fail to actually work with courier companies directly. What makes us different? Simply put, the I.A.A.T.C. staff stays in communication with courier firms around the world who are actually looking for individual couriers. We have also empowered firms to login directly to our member-only site and post flights & schedules when applicable. Furthermore, our subscribers around the world keep us informed of courier flights and other “shoestring” travel opportunities in their part of the world.