Airline Reservation Software (ARS for short) allows airlines to sell their inventory. It contains a database of bookings, number of tickets issued, schedules and fares. Basically, this flight booking system is a web-based flight booking engine that helps in online booking of tickets for specific seats available in the airline’s inventory. In addition, it is connected with the Global Distribution System (GDS) to provide better inventory and prices to air passengers.
The history of airline booking software
Before the 1950s, the ticket booking process was handled manually at central reservation centers. These centers are essentially rooms filled with individuals and they use physical cards to show available seats. In the 1950s, American Airlines implemented a system that provided real-time access to flight information from all its offices. Additionally, they aim to streamline and automate booking and ticketing operations. In 1952, it launched Magnetronic Reservoir, an electronic reservation system. In 1964, it launched Saber, which kept inventory correct in real time and accessible to agents across multiple channels.
Airline booking software overview
Aviation has grown into a complex industry. By implementing various technologies, it simplifies the booking process. Airline booking software is an integrated system that customers can access in a single portal provided by the travel company. It contains flight schedules, fares, passenger bookings and ticket records.
The airline’s reservation system acts as a direct distribution channel, providing information to the Global Distribution System (GDS). Another form of this direct distribution involves customers using online platforms or mobile apps to process their own bookings.
The GDS accessed by travel agencies or other third-party distribution channels is the same GDS accessed by airline reservation systems. It allows the transmission of messages via a standardized messaging system that operates on both message types transmitted on the SITA Advanced Network.
How airline reservation systems support travel agencies
Airline Reservation System Software or ARS is a web-based flight booking solution that helps in integrating the data of all airlines through the use of Global Distribution System. It provides inventory and prices to travel agents and customers in real time. Although originally developed by airlines for themselves, it is now also developed for travel agencies. Through ARS, travel agents can access detailed data provided by airlines and distribute the collected information to consumers (in this case, air passengers) in real time.
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