Lufthansa and Austrian team up with Amadeus for advance seat registration

Lufthansa and subsidiary Austrian Airlines are to sell advance seat reservations as an ancillary product in the travel agency channel using Amadeus.

Lufthansa and subsidiary Austrian Airlines are to sell advance seat reservations as an ancillary product in the travel agency channel using Amadeus.

The agreement means that agents using Amadeus will be able to book advance seat reservations in economy class for travellers flying on domestic and European routes.

Passengers will also be able to purchase seats offering extra legroom on continental and intercontinental routes.

Agents will be able to reserve the traveller’s preferred seat in advance for a small additional fee. The rate will vary depending on whether they select a standard seat or an exit row seat with its additional legroom.

Passengers without an advance seat reservation are able to choose their seat free of charge only at check-in.

Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines will also adopt Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services to distribute ancillary services through their website in the first half of he year.

Merchandising ancillaries using Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services is designed to help increase both the number of bookings the airline receives through the travel agency channel, and the revenue generated per passenger.

Lufthansa IT commercial development vice president Günter Friedrich said: “We know that comfort is important to travellers, and this new product will offer our customers greater flexibility and choice to personalise their journey so that they can rest assured they’ll be in their favourite seat whenever they fly with us.

“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.”

Amadeus distribution marketing vice president Decius Valmorbida added: “Merchandising products and services is a priority for airlines in order to differentiate their offer, meet the personalisation needs of their customers and optimise their revenues.

“By offering this new product using Amadeus, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines join 76 other airlines who recognise how Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services can help them shift comparison of airline fares from price to service. This helps carriers compete more effectively.”