GDS
The first is the Global Distribution System (GDS), a network system linked to numerous airlines. GDS aggregates the content of airline inventory, schedules and fares. The system collects this data from the following sources:

Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport are the main suppliers of GDS. They offer not only airline tickets, but also car rentals, hotel reservations and ancillary services. To learn more about GDS, watch the video below.

PSS
Passenger service system (PSS) is a software solution used by airlines that includes a central reservation system (CRS), an airline inventory system and a departure control system (DCS). The CRS is responsible for inventory management and ticket sales, the airline inventory system determines the total number of available seats, and the DCS handles check-in. In addition, the PSSs includes data storage and an online booking engine for direct booking processing, as well as a merchandising system for ancillary distribution. Further in the article we will look at these systems in more detail. Key players among PSSs are New Skies from Navitaire, Altea from Amadeus and Avantik from Bravo Aero.

NDCS.
All the systems mentioned above are connected via API or EDIFACT protocol and distributed through GDS. So, if an online travel agency (OTA) wants to access flight information, it has to connect to GDS or a third-party API for fares and schedules. As a result, airlines cannot access customer data and have to pay GDS distribution fees. New Distribution Capability (NDC), introduced by IATA, is a new standard created with the hope of replacing the existing communication system. The main advantage of NDC is that it can share full content with airlines’ APIs, allowing airlines to access customer information, personalize user interactions and sell ancillary services and seats from a single source, bypassing most third parties. Today, dozens of airlines and IT companies have adopted NDC capabilities, but GDS still remains the industry’s premier distributor. Read our take on NDC in the related article.

Having covered some basics, let’s describe the chain of processes between the moment of booking and baggage return at the destination airport. The entire process of interaction between the traveler and the airline can be divided into five stages: seat reservation, additional booking, payment, ticket confirmation, check-in and boarding, and baggage return.

Booking a flight
Today, when a traveler or travel agent books a flight, they have the choice of using an indirect or direct booking channel. The first includes OTAs such as Expedia or Priceline, GDS if the agent is booking for the traveler, or metasearch engines such as Kayak or Skyscanner. The second option is direct booking on the airline’s website. The choice of booking channel – indirect or direct – makes a small difference in the process.

1. Searching for a flight
   Indirect channel: OTA, GDS, metasearch engine. The user searches for the desired flight through a ticket booking system on a third-party website or through a GDS terminal. After selecting a flight, the third party sends a request to the GDS, which accesses the airline’s CRS.
2. Reservation management
   The main functions of CRS are inventory and reservation management, passenger name record (PNR) creation, payment gateway integration, customer information management, booking and cancellation management, refund management and email notification. When booking a flight, the customer can choose the seat immediately, but usually airlines charge an additional price for this.
3. Choice of additional services
   Additional services include the ability to book a specific seat, extra baggage, extra legroom or meals during the flight. When a traveler adds an optional service during the booking process, the merchandising system generates a special service request number (SSR). This is a message to the supplier requesting any ancillary service that is normally included in the ticket.
4. Use of loyalty programs
   Loyalty program operations are also usually managed by airline merchandising systems. As a member of a frequent flyer or airline loyalty program, a passenger can use the miles or points accumulated for each flight to purchase additional airline services. These points can be exchanged for discounts or benefits, such as upgrades to business class.

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All platforms are very similar in principle, but have significant differences in interface, commands (requests), content and sometimes even tariffs. In this article we will introduce you to the main distribution systems in the airline and tourism market.

Travelling by air is characterized by the highest speed, as well as the highest level of comfort and safety. All these advantages resulted in high demand for air travel and wide range of offers from carriers – today air ticket booking is experiencing a real boom.

The main disadvantage of traveling by air today is considered to be a rather high price. Each online air ticket reservation system offers its users and customers offers, differing in their level and price policy, with the maximum demand for cheap air tickets and their reservation. The opportunity to make a reservation online for cheap makes flights more affordable, and travel more comfortable. Most passengers choose online booking of air tickets.

Secrets of successful booking of cheap air tickets
In order to make the trip takes place, and the flight itself left only positive impressions, reservation of cheap air tickets should be made taking into consideration several nuances:

Flight comfort level – when booking airline tickets online, most travelers pay attention to the cost, but rarely take into account the level of comfort in which they will travel. When booking tickets for low-cost carriers, it is worth wondering about the comfort level of the aircraft in which to travel, as well as the package of services included in the price of the flight. Often paying just a symbolic amount you can get much better service.
Early booking discounts – Many airlines offer early booking discounts. When making a reservation you should inquire whether the airline booking you make is covered by an incentive program that allows you to save on the purchase of tickets.
Carrier reputation – carriers whose reputation is far from perfect often offer noticeably lower prices, but the poor quality of their services can negate all the joy of a bargain.

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Aviasales

Pros of
easy search
many filters
mobile app
email notification of lower prices
clear display of route information

Disadvantages
no call center
a lot of unnecessary emails from Aviasales

The Aviasales site, which offers the lowest prices, opens the ranking of services for the sale of airline tickets. On the pages of the provider you will find hundreds of great deals on flights to 220 countries. It takes just a few seconds to determine the cost of the trip. Reasonable prices, convenient search, unobtrusive design are the advantages of this service with great potential.

City.Travel

Advantages of
simple and convenient menu
subscription to special offers
installment payment
accommodation selection

disadvantages
obtrusive advertising

Convenient service that allows you to pay in several stages. If the cost of the ticket to your destination is large, it can be divided into three equal parts and pay for the purchase gradually. In addition to low-cost airline tickets on the website you can choose and book accommodation for a stay during the trip. A special subscription will keep you informed and will not miss the best deals.

Kupibilet .

Pros of
bonus program
smart routes to remote locations
user-friendly interface
hotel booking
mobile app

disadvantages
minimum of additional features

The Kupibilet service, which appeared relatively recently, has gained well-deserved popularity among users and is firmly entrenched in the leaders. It has all the conditions for a quick search and payment for tickets to any part of the world. All you need to do is to select the point of departure and destination, the dates, and the number of people, and after a minute the service will offer a list of the most advantageous offers. After the payment, the tickets will be sent to the post within an hour, and any changes will be sent by sms.

Tickets

Advantages of
huge choice of routes
favorable terms
user-friendly interface
convenient ticket search and payment service
accommodation booking

Cons
many negative reviews
inaccurate prices

The popular service Tickets allows you to buy cheap tickets and book a hotel through the largest resource Booking.com. In addition, the company will provide services of travel insurance. The search results are sorted by time, price, and other parameters. You can choose tickets with luggage or hand luggage. Those arriving or departing from Moscow will be offered to buy aeroexpress tickets.

Kiwi

Advantages
Work with low-cost airlines
low ticket price
You can check in for your flight

Cons:
Not responsible for the cancellation

The Czech service that allows you to buy a plane ticket is characterized by ease of use and the ability to find the best deals. Kiwi uses virtual flight connections, which allows you to arrange the best routes from airlines that do not work with each other, plan your trip with short transfers and at the same time save a significant amount.

Ozon travel

Pros of
installment payment
special offers from airlines
reliable provider
wide choice of carriers
convenient search

Minuses
high service fee
crippling terms of agreement

Reliable and popular service available to everyone. Visitors of Ozon travel especially emphasize the convenience of compiling high complexity itineraries. Here you can not only order a ticket, but also change it for free, add luggage or make a quick refund.

Go2see

Pros of
transparent conditions
online order tracking
payment in installments and deferred payment
quick turnaround
favorable ticket price

Disadvantages
no information about fees
modest bonus program

Service Go2See convenient lack of frills. The main page presents only booking forms for various destinations, contacts and a login to a personal cabinet. The registration process takes no more than 5 minutes, everything is transparent – no pitfalls. There is a possibility of deferred payment for 48 hours.

FlyDubai

Advantages of
convenient filters for searching
additional options
good customer support
help center
regular discounts

Disadvantages
Can sell you a ticket on a flight that doesn’t exist

Flydubai was established in Dubai in March 2008. Today, modern airliners of this carrier fly to 90 destinations. The site offers its customers high-quality service in the low-cost category, which allows you to fly with comfort and save money at the same time. In addition to budget tickets, here you can buy business class tickets, which have a high level of comfort and additional services.

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