TRAVELPORT, DELTA DEAL ‘TRANSFORMATIVE’

Proclaiming no less than a “transformative global distribution agreement designed … for the entire travel retailing ecosystem” – including travel agencies – Delta Air Lines and Travelport have announced a multi-year content plan they say will drive industry retail innovation by maximizing value for travel retailers, corporations, and travellers

The agreement will enable Travelport-connected travel buyers – management companies, agencies, corporations, and travellers – simplified access to Delta’s enriched content through the Travelport+ global retailing platform, gaining better value-generation and enhanced retailing capability with enhanced functionality to better understand, compare and customize offers for travellers.

Featuring next generation retailing tools and merchandising capabilities, Travelport+ is designed to provide long term value to the travel agency channel. Using an intelligent, multi-product display, Travelport-connected buyers have the ability to easily access the wide array of available products from all of Travelport’s global air partners, compare those to find the best options, and select the right choice for their customers.

“Our transformative new agreement with Travelport is another big step in elevating retailing in the indirect channel ecosystem for the benefit of all customers and stakeholders,” said Jeff Lobl, managing director of global distribution for Delta Air Lines. “In addition to the value-based commercial model, we thank Travelport for their partnership and commitment to continually enhancing their agency workspace. This ensures customers have easier access to all products, whether they are a corporate traveller shopping within travel policy or a leisure traveller finding the right itinerary for their holiday.”

Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Partners at Travelport, adds, “This new agreement emphasizes the shared commitment of both Travelport and Delta to improve the way airline products are retailed and make it easier for agents to help travellers choose offers that deliver the most value to them.”

Delta’s omni-channel, customer-centric approach invests across all channels to provide consumers with an elevated shopping experience within their preferred channel – an emerging approach to retail transformation the airline says will create value for all stakeholders in the ecosystem by enhancing traveller experiences and expanding customer choice.