United Airlines has started to sell its Economy Plus extra legroom seats via the trade in the US via Amadeus’s airline ancillary services solution.
Amadeus and United claim first NDC-XML solution in US travel
United Airlines has started to sell its Economy Plus extra-legroom seats via the trade in the US via Amadeus’s airline ancillary services solution.
The move is claimed to be the industry’s first NDC-XML connectivity solution in the travel agency channel in North America.
Amadeus subscribers in the US, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands can book the extra-legroom seats.
Implementation planning for expansion of the distribution of the carrier’s Economy Plus seats in Amadeus’s other global markets is underway.
Almost 60 airlines have signed up for the merchandising technology, with United the first to do so using NDC-XML connectivity in North America.
Iata financial and distribution services senior vice-president Aleks Popovich said: “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 merchandising capabilities, the Amadeus ancillary service solution will play a leadership role in the evolution of airline distribution.”
United’s merchandising and e-commerce vice president Scott Wilson said: “NDC-XML connectivity allows us to use a next-generation industry standard to effectively merchandise our portfolio of products and services to our customers.”
Amadeus IT Group distribution senior vice-president Holger Taubmann added: “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.”
