XML connectivity has gained a lot of popularity in the last couple of years and the markup language has been used by invoicing systems around the world more frequently in recent times. Recently, American Airlines (AA) entered into a long-term agreement with Amadeus on a global distribution system (GDS) and obtained XML connectivity with Amadeus GDS. With this deal, American Airlines can boast of two different GDS connectivity based on XML. This gives AA the liberty to allow both the GDS to market the full range of seat prices offered by AA along with the a la carte products like Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats. This has benefited both American Airlines and its patrons in different ways.

Real Time Personalized Offers

One of the major targets of American Airlines was that it wanted to give its subscribers real time personalized offers on the go. But there were a lot of technological barriers that the company had to contend with. But with the advancement of XML connectivity and the new Amadeus deal, the company can now finally offer these personalized offers to its patrons. These types of offers have been known to significantly increase the sales of the airlines, which is why AA was so keen on getting this new deal closed as soon as possible. If you are taking XML training classes, you can actually discuss how the advancements in XML connectivity enabled AA to connect with two GDS simultaneously.

Running on a Tight Schedule

Although the deal with Amadeus was closed by American Airlines, the service was yet to be launched in full scale or made available for agents. Commenting on the same, the MD of distribution and sales operation for American Airlines, Cory Garner, said that the company is working with Amadeus closely to ensure that the agents have access to the system as soon as possible. But he declined to give a set deadline on when the service would actually go live.

Amadeus Working on Timelines and Implementation

Representatives from Amadeus also said that they were working closely with AA to ensure that they get the timelines and the implementation of the GDS right before making the services live. They said that subscribers will not have any information about either the preferred seating types or the Main Cabin Extra premium service till the GDS goes live.

This ambitious venture by AA seems to have the dual benefit of increasing the business for AA while also facilitating convenience for the users.