Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, confirmed that travel agencies in the UK were now able to book pre-paid seating on BA flights for the first time through the GDS channel, using their usual desktop and workflow processes. Previously, this optional extra was only bookable via ba.com.
The industry first offered to Travelport-connected subscribers follows the global, full content agreement the two organisations signed which included a commitment to integrate BA’s pre-paid seating solution into the Travelport GDS. According to Jason Clarke, Travelport’s Managing Director for Europe and Brazil, the initiative with British Airways is just one of a number of high profile merchandising announcements the GDS provider hopes to make over the coming months with other key flag carriers.
Travelport Options Integrator, which is available for connected agents to download free of charge, is the technology behind the new functionality and links directly to BA’s pre-paid seating content. The Travelport solution was designed to make shopping, selling and booking optional services through the GDS a straightforward process for travel agents.
John Mornement, Head of Selling and Distribution for British Airways, said: “Since signing our global agreement with Travelport, we have been working together to make our pre-paid seat selection service available on the Travelport GDS. We’re delighted to be going live with the Travelport functionality this month.”
Jason Clarke added, “This development not only makes the booking process easier for agents but also enables them to offer even better customer service by offering to book a pre-paid seat. It very much forms part of our ongoing merchandising strategy as a business.”
Travelport and British Airways intend to implement the new functionality to other key regions later in the year following the initial home market (UK) launch this month.
