United pens new GDS deal with Travelport

United Airlines has signed a new long-term distribution agreement with Travelport that will see the carrier’s fares and inventory sold via the Galileo and Worldspan GDS.

And in addition, United has signed up for Travelport’s new Rich Content and Branding programme, which enables airlines’ products and ancillary services to be presented in a clearer graphic format on GDS screens.

Travelport-connected agents now have the ability to book United’s ‘Economy Plus’ seats in real-time, including complimentary Economy Plus seats for United’s qualified frequent flyers.

“United is one of the world’s leading airlines and we are delighted to expand our long-standing partnership with them and see them take advantage of the investments we have made in our pioneering merchandising technology, which has been designed to meet the changing needs of the global travel distribution chain,” said Derek Sharp, Travelport’s managing director of global distribution services & sales, Travelport.

“United will be able to leverage Travelport’s leading technology to grow their global reach, promote their brand to travellers all over the world and most importantly maximise the revenues they are able to generate per seat sold.”

United joins more than 40 other airlines to have already signed up to use Travelport Rich Content and Branding, which goes live in the next version of the Travelport Smartpoint agency desktop, due this year.

“United’s array of travel offerings continues to expand and evolve into dynamic products tailored to our customers,” said Tom O’Toole, United’s senior vice president of marketing & loyalty. “United is pleased this agreement enables us to offer the choices our customers value through additional shopping channels. We look forward to continuing to improve the shopping experience for our customers and their agencies through Travelport’s solutions.”