In two separate partnership deals with Singapore’s Scoot and European airlines, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, Amadeus offers agents access to a comprehensive range of fares/schedules, as well as boost their merchandising offer to travellers

Scoot inks new deal with Amadeus

A new long term content agreement inked recently with Singapore’s low cost carrier, Scoot, offers Amadeus travel agents access to a comprehensive range of fares and schedules from the airline.

The agency customers also gain immediate access to the same level of fares, availability and functionality as any other travel agency content channel.

Campbell Wilson, CEO of Scoot, said, “Travel agencies connect with our customers in another important way beyond our website or call centres. As the largest global distribution system with the widest network of travel agents, it makes sense for us to partner with Amadeus.”

Added Angel Gallego, president of Amadeus Asia Pacific, “This is one step among many to deliver more budget air travel options via our network in the region.”

Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines partner with Amadeus

In a related development, Amadeus’ new partnership with Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines enable travel agents in over 60 markets, including Australia and New Zealand, to book travellers’ preferred seats in economy class in advance of travel

Lufthansa is able to sell advance seat reservation as an ancillary product in the travel agency channel using Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services.

The agreement that also applies to Lufthansa’s subsidiary, Austrian Airlines, means that travel agents using Amadeus in 63 markets worldwide, including the Asia Pacific region, can book advance seat reservations in economy class for travellers flying on domestic and European routes.

Additionally, passengers are able to purchase seats offering extra leg room both on continental and intercontinental routes.

Amadeus agents can reserve the traveller’s preferred seat in advance for a small additional fee, which will vary depending on whether they select a standard seat or an exit row seat with more legroom. Passengers without an advance seat reservation are able to choose their seat free of charge only at check-in.

The two airlines will also adopt Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services, a comprehensive multi-channel solution compliant with industry standards, to distribute ancillary services through their websites in the first half of 2014.

By launching the advance seat reservation product worldwide in the travel agency channel, the two flag carriers are embracing a multi-channel approach to merchandising with Amadeus. Both airlines use Electronic Miscellaneous Documents, the IATA standard solution for fulfilling bookings for ancillary services.

Günter Friedrich, Lufthansa’s VP IT development commercial, said this new product would offer its customers greater flexibility and choice to personalise their journey. “Our partnership with Amadeus means that we will be able to provide our customers with a consistent experience and level of choice, however they shop for and book their flight. We are able to provide them with the services and products that will enhance their journey.”

Decius Valmorbida, Amadeus’ VP of distribution marketing, noted that merchandising products and services is now a priority for airlines for them “to differentiate their offer, meet the personalisation needs of their customers and optimise their revenues.”