Fresh off its acquisition by ATPCO, Routehappy wrapped up yet another big deal: a partnership with Amadeus, the world’s largest GDS.
Amadeus will integrate Routehappy’s rich airline content into its point-of-sale solutions, such as Selling Platform Connect.
In addition, other channels such as online travel agencies can access the content through Amadeus Web Services. They will be able to display it directly to travelers via a redistribution agreement, a first of its kind for Routehappy.
The content includes Routehappy’s Universal Product Attributes (UPAs) which include headlines, descriptions and photos of airline products that serve to differentiate the carriers among their competitors, such as flat-bed seats, specialized meals and mood lighting.
Decius Valmorbida, senior vice president of travel channels at Amadeus, said:
“Photos, videos and descriptors help drive conversion and differentiation for airlines, but they also mean agents can deliver a more comprehensive service and experience to their customers. Travelers are seeking enhanced ways to compare travel provider offers, and we believe rich content helps to meet this need.”
Routehappy – now officially styled as Routehappy by ATPCO since late January -- has been on a roll. In addition to being acquired by the father of modern fare filing, it has amassed more than 65 customers, including United, Avianca and Turkish Airlines.
The company launched its Routehappy Hub, the central repository where airlines can organize their rich product attributes and deliver them to distribution channels, in the fall of 2015.
Routehappy scored a deal with Sabre the following year. It was its first with a GDS, a channel it considers essential to reaching the travel agency market.
Robert Albert, chief executive officer of Routehappy, said the new Amadeus deal unleashes “a vast opportunity to help airlines better differentiate their products in travel agencies and OTAs all over the world.”
“We’re platform, channel and delivery agnostic to help airlines differentiate in all sales channels direct and indirect, so our Amadeus partnership is a huge step forward in reaching distribution ubiquity for airlines.”
The integration of Routehappy’s rich content with the Amadeus system will be completed during the course of this year and will complement Amadeus’ existing content and merchandising capabilities for airlines and travel sellers.