Travelport has become the first GDS to reinstate United’s Airlines Economy Plus seat reservations.
This is the first time for two years since the airline transferred to a new reservations platform as a result of the United-Continental merger.
Travelport-connected agents in the US can now gain access to Economy Plus seat fares and availability directly in the workflow and have the ability to book free Economy Plus seats for MileagePlus customers and companions.
Since 2012, the only way to book Economy Plus seating, which gives extra legroom and priority seating near the front of the plane, was via United’s website.
Priority seating and perks such as extra legroom is a major generator of extra revenue for airlines along with ancillary fees for extra baggage and ticket changes.
United announced last year it hopes to increase ancillary revenue to $3.5 billion a year by 2017.
Economy Plus bookings was the main driver of increased ancillary revenue during the fourth quarter of 2013, rising by 31% compared to the previous year.
Sabre recently said the Economy Plus seat booking capability would be back in its GDS by the middle of this year.
