American Airlines took another step today in implementing its technology vision and commitment to broad fare availability by selecting ITA Software’s industry-leading availability engine, the airline said in a statement.
“This effort is the continuance of the company’s focus on enhancing its customers’ travel experiences by offering products and services that can be customized and distributed through a wide range of distribution channels,” AA said.
The new availability engine will provide inventory, pricing and shopping visibility, and will manage the various product and service choices customers want to consider in order to customize their travel experience, AA said. A spokesman for AA said the move reflects “shifting the paradigm away from an antiquated, limited model of marketing to customers.”
“The availability engine will serve as a hub for pricing, shopping and customization of American Airlines products and services,” said Monte Ford, senior vice president, technology, and chief information officer for AA. “This technology lays the groundwork for the future of travel and allows us to provide customized travel options as well as access to these options through every channel.”
“This decision will usher in a new era of travel options and services for our customers, who are at the center of every decision we make,” said Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer for AA. “We are focused on the future of travel, including choices for our customers as well as the broad and effective distribution of our products and services through all of our distribution channels – from AA.com to American’s reservations, BusinessExtrAA program, Global Distribution Systems, travel search engines, and traditional and online travel agencies for corporate and leisure travelers.”
Visit www.aa.com.