Travelport has joined forces with Beijing-based TravelSky on a project aimed at taking seat map technology to the next level.
The partnership is part of Travelport's strategy to modernise and add flexibility to its reservation system and provide better technology, such as passenger service tools, to help airlines differentiate themselves.
The Master Seat Map project, to be made available to all airlines in all territories, will bring additional attributes to seat map technology enabling airlines to tailor seat selection to individual travellers as well as reward loyal flyers with more options.
The GDS decided to partner with TravelSky, which specialises in passenger service systems in China, as part of its creation of a partnering ecosystem.
The initial focus is on developing Master Seat Map and once that has been developed the companies will see where further collaboration opportunities lie.
TravelSky is the over-arching body in China controlling airline distribution of the state-owned airlines. It has an existing GDS-type agreement with Travelport stretching back a number of years.
Meanwhile, Travelport has signed a long-term distribution and technology agreement with Hilton Worldwide. Through the partnership, Galileo and Worldspan-connected agents will get full availability, rates, rules and property information from the chain and its associated brands, currently covering 3,750 properties and 85 countries.
Hilton will also partake in Travelport's Lowest Public Rates programme as well as being included in the agent-led Complete Pricing Plus interface.