Major GDS players offer agents access to new Qantas channel

More Australia to London route options

With the signing of separate distribution agreements with major GDS players, Qantas will make available its new pathway designed to deliver more personalised and seamless experiences to customers via agent booking channels, set to come into effect on August 1.

Amadeus sellers that sign up to the Qantas Channel can continue to access the airline’s wide range of fares and products available for agents – including future NDC content – while enjoying the efficiencies and servicing capabilities of the Amadeus system when booking, changing or cancelling trips.

Amadeus and Sabre agents will be able to sign up to the Qantas channel

They will also be able to access Qantas fares without a channel fee.

Sabre-powered travel agencies who sign up to the Qantas Channel will enjoy a wider range of content from the airline, and be able to leverage up-to-date information to create rich, personalised offers for customers.

Qantas chief customer officer Vanessa Hudson said the airline was pleased to be working with the two GDSs to make the Qantas Channel available to their agents globally.

“The digital environment has changed the way we need to work with our trade partners, and our new technology paired with this new Qantas Channel agreement will support us on the journey to delivering our vision for our mutual customers. We’re excited to continue to innovate with our trade partners and share in the benefits of this new technology.”

Along with the Qantas Channel agreement, Sabre also announced the Australian airline will be joining its Beyond NDC Program as a strategic partner.

The airline is already part of Amadeus’ NDC-X programme, having joined last June with the aim of connecting the Qantas Distribution Platform (QDP) to Amadeus.

“Partnerships are the foundation of progress. As Qantas’ IT and distribution provider, we are proud to support the airline’s strategy to deliver increasing personalised experiences across all touchpoints,” said Cyril Tetaz, executive vice president, airlines, Asia-Pacific, Amadeus.

In 2018, Qantas renewed its IT and distribution agreement with Amadeus, and completed a major digital redesign of its online booking process in collaboration with the GDS, in order to provide customers with a more personalised and intuitive digital experience.

Update [February 11, 15:23]: Travelport has reached out to highlight that it has also signed with Qantas to give its agents access to content sourced from the NDC-enabled Qantas Distribution Platform. In a press release, Travelport’s managing director Australia and New Zealand, Scott Barber, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Qantas as it develops its new Channel and introduces the NDC standard. As the first GDS operator with an NDC booking solution available to a small group of customers, we have proven our capability to deliver this new standard.”

 

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