Etihad Airways deploys Amadeus EMD and Airline Ancillary Services to enhance offering to travelers

• Agreement enables Amadeus travel agents to book pre-reserved Extra Legroom Seats for customers on Etihad Airways flights
• Amadeus Electronic Miscellaneous Document (EMD) solution allows the airline and travel agents to facilitate payment and track usage of ancillary services booked by customers
• Solutions empower Etihad Airways to maximise profitability and deliver higher levels of customer service

Dubai-UAE: 30 September, 2014 - Amadeus, a leading technology partner for the global travel industry, today announced that Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has become the first in the region to deploy Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services (AAAS), enabling travel agencies using the Amadeus system to book the airline’s popular Extra Legroom Seats for their customers.
The agreement allows travel agents to offer the products already available directly from Etihad Airways, leading to enhanced customer service in an increasingly competitive environment.

Antoine Medawar, Vice President, Middle East and North Africa, Amadeus, said: “We see the deployment of the Amadeus solution as a complete win-win. By introducing the option to pre-reserve seats including Extra Legroom Seats at the booking stage, the airline and travel agents can offer their customers a value added service that will inevitably result in greater revenue profitability. It will also enhance the airport and onboard experience for travellers.”

Etihad Airways has also signed an agreement with Amadeus to deploy Amadeus Electronic Miscellaneous Document (EMD), enabling travel agents to issue documents for all travel related services, including unbundled airline services. The solution provides travel agencies with a one-stop view of the customer’s travel choices in a single PNR. Integrated into the travel agent’s workflow, EMD is fully compliant with the latest industry mandates and has been endorsed by IATA.
Both solutions have been launched in the UAE under a pilot program and will be deployed in other markets globally.

“EMD has multiple benefits – in addition to helping the airline merchandise its optional services, it allows travel agents to offer a number of additional travel services and easily manage their customers’ needs, thereby reinforcing their role as consultants to customers. Further, EMD helps to generate additional revenue by making the booking process more efficient and straightforward,” added Medawar.

Adam Phillips, Etihad Airways Vice President Commercial Strategy and Planning, said: “Our objective has always been to offer customers a consistent, high quality service, regardless of how their tickets are booked. We already provide the option to pre-reserve a specific seat when booking an Etihad Airways flight. With the deployment of Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services and EMD, our customers can now select additional value added services, such as the popular Extra Legroom Seats, when purchasing their ticket through a travel agent, or add the service to their booking at any time before departure.

“Our partnership with Amadeus supports Etihad Airways’ global expansion, and I am confident it will continue to attract more customers to enjoy our world-class products and services.”