American Airlines

Dispatch 3

We broke the news on December 1 but it’s still sinking in. After hearing no mention of it on investor calls, we tried to contact the loquacious JPMorgan Chase analyst Jamie Baker to talk about it. We didn’t get a hold of him. This week, Baker told AA, “It feels as if you are taking…

Notebook: Empathy On Fumes As Airfare Fragmentation Bears Down In America

Boston – With its plan to phase out traditional, EDIFACT-based indirect sales by the end of 2025, Finnair’s alternative distribution vision is among the world’s most ambitious. During a panel discussion at a UATP event here last week, its head of strategy admitted to a lack of familiarity with corporate needs in terms of duty…

Op Ed: Martin Warner On NDC Readiness And The Economic Impact

Former CWT executive Martin Warner, of late a consultant to various players in corporate travel, knows as well as anyone the impact that distribution changes have on travel management economics. Here he reminds us that’s an unresolved issue with NDC. The recent article in The Company Dime on “readiness” for NDC was an excellent summary…

GDSs Are ‘Ready’ For NDC, Expect Agencies To Implement In Phases

Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport say they are mostly ready for April 1. After checking many boxes for NDC preparation, they’ll access, display and provide booking and agency servicing capabilities for all American Airlines content. That’s part of the solution for the carrier’s planned removal of many fares from legacy distribution. Agencies also must get various…

United Enlists Corporate Clients To Grow MileagePlus

United Airlines is asking corporate clients to help grow loyalty program membership as part of its new contracting process. “Because we do value our frequent flyer program, it is a consideration when we look at other things we might give that corporation, whether it be discounts, Jetstream [soft-dollar] funds or other things they want in…

American Airlines Builds NDC Service Desk

American Airlines is assembling a special servicing desk to help travel agencies with “NDC bookings,” a spokesperson confirmed. AA’s plan to make upwards of 40 percent of its content non-bookable through legacy indirect distribution has generated apprehension regarding post-booking tasks. How will TMCs deliver sufficient service when new connections between themselves, the airline and global…

As It Cashes In On Amex Deal, Delta’s Free Wi-Fi Expands Marketing Juggernaut

It’s nothing new for an airline to generate revenue from something other than ticket sales, but Delta Air Lines is taking this to new heights. The company expects sales of SkyMiles points to co-branded card partner American Express to top $7 billion next year. That would be about as much as American, Southwest and United…

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