Launch marks the travel industry’s first NDC-XML (v1.0) enabled connectivity for travel agency distribution in North America.
MADRID, SPAIN and CHICAGO, IL, USA – Amadeus and United Airlines announced the successful launch of Amadeus’ Airline Ancillary Services Solution using NDC-XML (v1.0) connectivity. This marks the industry’s first NDC-XML solution in the travel agency channel in North America.
“We are excited to be working with Amadeus to merchandize our Economy Plus extra-legroom seats via our travel agency partners,” said Scott Wilson, United’s Vice President of Merchandizing and eCommerce. “NDC-XML connectivity allows us to use a next-generation industry standard to effectively merchandize our portfolio of products and services to our customers.”
Amadeus is committed to delivering leading merchandizing technology to its airline customers while giving agencies extensive new content to best serve traveler needs. Amadeus’ Ancillary Service Solution is now integrated and supporting airlines to deploy ancillary services in over 95 markets worldwide. Currently, 58 airlines have signed up for the leading merchandizing technology, with United becoming the first to do so using NDC-XML (v1.0) connectivity in North America.
Aleks Popovich, IATA Senior Vice President Financial and Distribution Services, said, “We welcome the introduction of this NDC 1.0 solution to enhance distribution in the travel agent channel. Technology providers play an important role in moving industry standards forward and unlocking value for airlines and their passengers. We have high expectations that by combining technology and merchandizing capabilities, the Amadeus Ancillary Service Solution will play a leadership role in the evolution of airline distribution.”
“We are pleased to partner with United to increase its revenue through the travel agency channel, whilst helping to meet travelers’ strong demand for its Economy Plus product. Amadeus’ technical capabilities enabled us to deliver this NDC-XML solution using our Ancillary Services Solution which seamlessly integrates into the travel agent’s booking flow,” commented Holger Taubmann, SVP, Distribution, Amadeus IT Group.
With this launch, Amadeus subscribers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands can now easily and seamlessly book United’s extra-legroom seats for their customers. The integrated ancillary services solution provided by Amadeus enables agents to proactively offer and book United’s Economy Plus seats for their customers during the initial booking or after a ticket has been issued. Implementation planning for rollout of the carrier’s Economy Plus seats in Amadeus’ other global markets is underway.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
