Articles tagged “arc”

New kinds of partnerships and connections are changing how the airline industry retails. Stakeholders are increasingly turning to new technology like blockchain to facilitate these changes without disrupting their ability to provide travelers a frictionless experience and giving travel managers the control they need.

Airlines Reporting Corporation's expansion into providing services around direct bookings is intriguing. We'll be watching how it handles the challenge without vexing the travel agencies that will remain its core customer.

Southwest has been a thorn in the side of many travel management companies. Now they have a shot at a mutually beneficial relationship with the airline.

An omnichannel approach in airline retailing today must encompass the full spectrum of distribution channels including direct and indirect channels, particularly travel agencies.

United's Scott Kirby has pledged to remain as president of the airline despite rumors to the contrary. But that won't quell talk about whether American Airlines' CEO Doug Parker will last through the year.

Sure enough, more travel companies are starting to inch toward direct booking. Southwest has always been a leader in this area among the big U.S. carriers, and this move will help it do more business with corporate travelers.

There have been several new technologies, from the New Distribution Capability to direct-connect, and blockchain, that have at times shown promise in easing the grip of the global distribution systems. For the last 20 years, the incumbent distributors have always managed to exert or shore up their roles.