ZS Associates is running a pilot that sanctions for certain employees booking on the United Airlines website. Supported by integration between Traxo and the carrier, the direct option delivers a better booking experience and improved customer service, according to ZS Associates travel leaders. One of them is Glenn Hollister, principal at the firm and head of its travel… Read More »
When Lufthansa Group in mid-2015 informed the market of a new distribution strategy, one stated objective was to lower associated costs. The company expects to prove wrong the skeptics and start achieving that by the end of 2018. Lufthansa’s financial reporting does not offer enough detail to completely validate progress, but there are indicators of short-term pain for… Read More »
According to published reports in Europe, Lufthansa Group on April 5 began discounting by 20 euros some short-haul economy-class roundtrip fares when booked through direct or NDC-enabled channels. This is on top of the 16 euro surcharge Lufthansa, Austrian and Swiss currently apply on bookings through global distribution systems, effectively more than doubling the disadvantage in traditional, indirect… Read More »
Boston – Travel management professionals agree that to be effective, new airline distribution programs need to offer at least as much functionality as existing systems do. Based on expert commentary at last week’s Global Business Travel Association convention here, it would appear that a solution to be welcomed by all key parties is a ways off. Dozens of speakers… Read More »
NDC In Corporate Travel April 13, 2017 Download the recording here. Gift the recording here. Check out the slides below. Many in the business travel community know the general idea behind the International Air Transport Association’s New Distribution Capability. It’s not only for direct channels. It could improve access to airline services. What else does NDC mean for corporate travel providers and programs? When is it coming? Tackling… Read More »
[UPDATE, Nov. 28, 2016: The Germany-based distributor with which US Airways tested its Farelogix-powered direct connection was consolidator Aerticket, according to case testimony. US Airways was disappointed with the volume of bookings processed this way.] New York — According to court testimony, US Airways six years ago prepared to pay travel agencies as much as $4 per ticket… Read More »
Airline distribution generates more than its fair share of controversy. Battles over financial flows, technology and content often underlie potential disruption to the status quo. Yet so far, it’s all talk. The split between airline direct and indirect volumes has barely changed. In corporate travel, the indirect global distribution system/travel management company channel remains dominant. American Airlines managing director… Read More »