Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines partner with Amadeus
Lufthansa and Amadeus have announced a new agreement that will see the airline sell advance seat reservation as an ancillary product in the travel agency channel using Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services.
The agreement, which also applies to Lufthansa’s subsidiary Austrian Airlines, Austria’s flag carrier, means that travel agents using Amadeus in 63 markets worldwide will be able to book advance seat reservations in Economy Class for travellers flying on domestic and European routes.
Additionally, passengers will be able to purchase seats offering extra leg room both on continental and intercontinental routes.
Agents using Amadeus will be able to reserve the traveller’s preferred seat in advance for a small additional fee, which 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, a multi-channel solution that is compliant with industry standards, to distribute ancillary services through their web site in the first half of 2014. By launching the advance seat reservation product worldwide in the travel agency channel, the two flag carriers will be embracing a multi-channel approach to merchandising with Amadeus. Both airlines use Electronic Miscellaneous Documents, the IATA standard solution for fulfilling bookings for ancillary services.
To date, 78 airlines have signed-up to the Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services solution, of which 22 are currently distributing their ancillary services through travel agents in 63 markets.
