Amadeus strikes first low-cost carrier full fare agreement with Germanwings

Amadeus strikes first low-cost carrier full fare agreement with Germanwings

Germanwings is to become the first airline to make use of Amadeus’s full and light ticketing GDS functionality for distributing fares and ancillaries though agents.

Germanwings is to become the first airline to make use of Amadeus’s full and light ticketing GDS functionality for distributing fares and ancillaries though agents.

Previously the Lufthansa subsidiary sold a limited range of its fares via Amadeus’s travel agency partners using the leading European technology firm’s full e-ticketing solution.

However, under a new agreement announced today, the airline will become the first carrier in the world to offer its full range of published fares through an XML interface – Amadeus’s ‘light ticketing’ option.

This technology enables agents to book low-cost and hybrid carriers with the same booking process used for full-service carriers.

Christian Hein, senior vice president e-commerce, sales and distribution, at Germanwings said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our full range of published fares to travel agency partners combining light ticketing and full e-ticketing options.

“Thanks to our industry-leading agreement with Amadeus, travel agents will be able to offer their customers a comprehensive range of fare options for our point-to-point and interline flights, as well as all the ancillary services that allow travel agencies to tailor the full air travel experience to their customers.

“This means that it will be easier and more attractive than ever for travel agency partners to make a Germanwings booking via Amadeus.”

Holger Taubmann, senior vice president, distribution at Amadeus added: “We are excited to be extending our existing relationship with Germanwings in order to provide travel agents with a comprehensive offering.

“We are seeing increasing numbers of low-cost and hybrid carriers choosing to distribute their fares and ancillaries through our global network of travel agents.

“By doing so, these carriers can access high-yield customer segments such as business travellers and provide passengers with choice, value and opportunities to personalise their journeys with the same booking flow as for traditional carriers. It’s a win-win situation.”

The new agreement comes in to force this September with the following fare options available:


  • BASIC: including the flight, hand luggage, miles. Cannot be combined with other airlines. This fare is to be newly added to the Amadeus system and will be bookable using only light ticketing.

  • SMART: the standard fare, which includes the same benefits as the budget fare, as well as a range of the most important ancillary services, such as one item of checked luggage, an in-flight snack and drink and a seat reservation.

  • BEST: the comfort, highest-value fare, aimed at business travellers in particular. Includes flight and a wider range of ancillary services, preferred seating in the front rows with a free adjacent seat and priority ground services including lounge access.

  • Germanwings’ flexible fare options, SMART Flex and BEST Flex, will also be available. They enable travellers to re-book or cancel flights free-of-charge, even at short notice.