MONTREAL, April 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Tango by Air Canada is the first air
service in Canada and the only low cost air service in the world to offer
customers greatly enhanced and faster online services including itinerary
changes and cancellations. The newly introduced online services, now available
at www.flytango.com puts more power and control of the trip planning process
into Tango customers` hands and significantly reduces Air Canada`s
distribution costs for Tango reservations. This initiative is consistent with
Air Canada`s commercial restructuring to better meet the needs of its
customers.
Tango`s online customers can now not only book their travel but also make
complete or partial changes to their reservations and make trip cancellations
across all fare classes on all routes. Tango online customers can now review
and print their itinerary; change, add or cancel flights and, as always, pay
online as the new booking engine automatically re-prices trip changes. Over
85 per cent of Tango`s customers book their travel online.
“Tango`s customers now have more control than ever over their trip
planning with these new online, self serve travel planning tools,” said Ben
Smith, Tango`s Managing Director. “Our customers now experience faster online
services and have access to more information and better options for booking
travel on Tango. With less need for manual assistance from phone agents to
process and manage trip planning, this also reduces Air Canada`s distribution
costs,” he said.
Tango`s faster and enhanced online services are made possible through a
new fare database system powered by ITA software. “ITA Software is proud to
provide shopping and pricing technology for Tango,” said Jeremy Wertheimer,
president and CEO of ITA Software. “Airline customers are looking to buy
tickets on the Internet, and airlines are looking to save money. Tango is the
first low fare air service to take advantage of the powerful functionality and
low cost of our system.”
ITA Software uses advanced computer technology built on open standards
versus older mainframe technology. Its systems use PC-based technology and
advanced algorithms to sort through a multitude of itineraries and price
options to quickly provide users with the broadest range of options. ITA
Software is hosting Tango by Air Canada at its hosting center in Boston.
Tango: Tango, the largest operator of low fare flights from Toronto`s Pearson
International Airport, will offer up to 52 daily arrivals and departures from
Toronto this summer. Tango currently serves 21 Canadian destinations with
seasonal service to select destinations in the U.S.
For summer 2003 Tango will operate flights with a fleet of Airbus A320
aircraft in a 159-seat configuration offering the same comfortable thirty two
inch seat pitch offered on most full service carriers and ample stowage space.
Tango also offers a unique “all extras are optional” in-flight service
including a menu selection of hot and cold snacks and refreshments, audio and
video entertainment and advance seat selection, all at reasonable prices.
——-