Airline Reservation Software (ARS for short) allows airlines to sell their inventory. It contains a database of reservations, number of tickets issued, schedules, and fares. Basically, this airline ticket reservation system is a web-based flight booking engine that helps in booking tickets online for specific seats in the airline’s inventory. Moreover, it is also connected with the Global Distribution System (GDS) to provide better inventory and prices to airline passengers.
The History of Airline Reservation Software
Prior to the 1950s, the airline reservation process was handled manually in central reservation centers. These centers were basically rooms filled with individuals using physical cards to show available seats. In the 1950s, American Airlines implemented a system that gave all offices access to flight information in real time. They also aimed to streamline and automate reservation and ticketing operations. In 1952, it launched Magnetronic Reservoir – an electronic reservation system. In 1964, it launched Sabre, which was able to keep inventory correct in real time and accessible to agents through multiple channels.
Airline Reservation Software Overview
The aviation industry has evolved into a complex industry. It has simplified the booking process by implementing various technologies. Airline reservation software is an integrated system that can be accessed by customers through a single portal provided by the travel company. It integrates flight schedules, fares, passenger reservations, 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 who use online platforms or mobile applications to handle their bookings themselves.
The GDS accessed by travel agencies or other third-party distribution channels is the same GDS accessed by airline reservation systems. It allows messages to be transmitted via a standardized messaging system that supports both messaging types transmitted over the SITA Advanced Network.
How Airline Reservation Systems Empower Travel Agencies
Airline Reservation System Software or ARS is a web-based flight reservation solution that helps consolidate data from all airlines by using a global distribution system. It provides inventory and prices to travel agencies and customers in real-time. Although it was initially developed by airlines for themselves, it is now also developed for travel agencies. With ARS, travel agencies can access detailed data provided by airlines and distribute the collected information to consumers (in this case, airline passengers) in real-time.
