Air France, the French flag carrier and one of the world’s largest airlines, has adopted Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services (AAAS) to distribute its ancillary offering to travel agencies. As of the 5th of June, the solution is available in France where travel agents can now offer Seat Plus for their customers with EMD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document). Seat Plus enables travellers to book a seat with more legroom during long-haul flights*.

AAAS is an end-to-end solution, compliant with industry standards, which enables Air France to sell services across all its channels, including its website, ticketing offices and travel agencies.

“Air France wants to offer a consistent service to our customers regardless of how they book with us,” said Jean Wieviorka, Air France VP Corporate and Distribution. “Thanks to the Amadeus solution our customers can select Seat Plus when purchasing their ticket on airfrance.com or with any travel agent, or add on the service to their booking at any time before departure,”

Furthermore, Air France can customise its offer to its most loyal passengers. For instance, using AAAS, Air France can offer Flying Blue Gold and Platinum members - who identify themselves with their Flying Blue card number when purchasing their ticket - Seat Plus free of charge.

“We are seeing significant momentum behind our Ancillary Services solution as more and more airlines worldwide are unbundling their product and want to provide a consistent offer to their customers regardless of the sales channel,” says David Doctor, Director, Distribution Marketing, Amadeus. “Travel agents have a growing opportunity to reinforce their role as consultants to the consumer as they gain efficient access to more and more airline ancillary products.”

Travel agencies in France can book the Seat Plus option with the EMD industry standard. The electronic messaging tool facilitates the distribution and fulfilment of ancillary services. As with the electronic ticket in 2008, the EMD is part of the e-Services IATA initiative to eliminate the use of paper and ease processes.

44 airlines have signed up for Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services to distribute ancillaries through at least one of their sales channels. In the travel agency channel, 16 airlines have signed to sell ancillary services using the Amadeus solution and 6 are currently selling ancillary services in key markets including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

Flights on Airbus A340, flights to/from Mauritius, Amman and Damascus are not eligible for this service. Please note that Seat Plus purchases are not available when departing from certain international airports.