Elliott McNamee

Introducing ATPCO's Distribute the Offer leadership team - looking after airline product content data collection, distribution to data subscribers, and new distribution solutions (including #NDC). All of this in the context of ATPCO's industry utility model as we all move, #bettertogether, toward modern airline retailing through airline offers and orders. We spent time yesterday talking through strategy, 2024 outcomes (3, 6, 9 month) for each of the three areas, best-in-class team habits, championing cultural pillars at the heart of ATPCO, and leveraging the best of Artificial Intelligence. Most importantly, we talked about what we need, and how we can support each other, to be better at what we do, achieve the success outcomes we've committed to, and help each other out. Anne Kolodziej (Collection), Aruna Punya (Distribution), Cheikh FALL (New Distribution Solutions) - thanks for having my back; you're a super team of leaders to work with. Between the 4 of us, we have over 100 years of airline industry experience in technology, revenue accounting, performance data, distribution, pricing, taxation, strategy, customer service, and more; it's gratifying to work with people who use that tenure and knowledge to have a universally open and 'gritty' mindset, and embrace innovation together, to make the industry better. Let's make it a great 2024. #airlinedistribution #genAI #startwithwhy #startwithpeople #findyourwhy #distributetheoffer Jacquelyn Ingros, MS OD

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Nice article from ATPCO Chief Strategy Officer Thomas Gregorson on Ancillary Transparency and the latest efforts around regulatory compliance. To me, this is a great example of how an industry utility model - facilitating interoperability - really comes into its own in terms of implementing across an entire ecosystem with speed, accuracy, and scale adoption. True industry impact. No doubt, we can work #bettertogether as we approach automation and regulatory needs.

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There's a lot of giddiness this week among TMCs at American Airlines' apparent about face on their sales and distribution strategy. One TMC email talked about American's "NDC disaster" being proven a "massive failure". Some are taking great delight in this weeks news and it really is noteworthy how successful travel buyers were at "voting with their feet". But after they finish gloating, what will TMCs say to their customers who still can't purchase a Main Cabin Extra seat on their booking tool? Or change their tickets as easily as they can on AA-dot-com? Or be able to instantly choose another option when a flight is canceled or delayed due to weather? Firing Vasu Raja doesn't fix these things. That's why the real story is much more nuanced than "American's NDC strategy failed." The truth is American tried to do two very different things at once. They began openly thumbing their noses at their corporate customers, believing that they could win with just business that comes direct. But at the same time, they aggressively pursued an NDC agenda to make the experience for those who DON'T book direct better. When we conflate these two very different initiatives, we miss important points. Yes, by all accounts American was wrong to believe that they could alienate large corporates. But they were RIGHT to believe that third party sellers have to move off legacy distribution technology to deliver the choices, convenience, and servicing capabilities that travelers -- especially younger ones -- increasingly demand. Even while American was tearing down their sales infrastructure, they were simultaneously investing more time, money, and resources than any other airline into modernizing their ability to sell through third parties. Now that they are trying to make nice, I hope they don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I urge American to seize this opportunity to not just rethink what they've done wrong, but also double down on what they've done right. Airline corporate sales philosophies ebb and flow but technology tends to endure. Long term, if we want TMCs and online booking tools to be relevant, they need to be able to offer the same content, options, and servicing that travelers get on airline web sites. NDC can help an airline be able to say to their loyal travelers: you can book however and wherever you want and you won't get a diminished experience. I hope AA quickly removes the restriction on AAdvantage for Business points not being able to be earned through TMCs. Next, I'd love them to make NDC tickets fully interoperable, so travelers who book through a corporate booking tool can change on AA-dot-com and then still be able use the tool for viewing, reporting, or subsequent changes. When used right NDC creates choice -- it doesn't inhibit. American has done some heavy lifting that can serve them well if they keep their heads down and continue iterating, while at the same time re-engaging with the corporate buyers they've left behind.

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Airline Marketing: When Technology Goes Too Far I read an article yesterday with the headline, "Airlines Looking to Use Personalized Marketing in Seatbacks and In-Flight Apps." My first thought was, "Holy crap, how about you worry about taking the plane off on time and landing it with all its pieces still attached?" The Perception Problem Right now, we can all admit the airline industry's perception is pretty bad. Whether it’s true or not, every time you scroll through social media, you see stories about airline fails. After reading the article, I took away two things that are very relevant for business owners. Perception Matters The first takeaway is that perception matters. The perception of your business or industry directly affects your advertising costs and effectiveness. This is something many people overlook. You need to consider how your business is perceived while planning your marketing and advertising strategies. If people have a negative view of your industry, your ads will have to work much harder. The Creep Factor The second takeaway is about personalized ads on seatback entertainment systems. Personally, I find this a bit creepy. Just because we have the technology to do something doesn’t mean we should. When planning your marketing, if your first thought is "this is kind of creepy," it’s probably best to rethink it. Lessons for Business Owners Here’s what business owners can learn from this: Monitor Your Perception: Regularly check how your business and industry are perceived by the public. Adjust your marketing strategies accordingly to address any negative perceptions. Avoid the Creep Factor: Use technology wisely. If a marketing tactic feels invasive or creepy, it can turn customers away. Stick to strategies that respect your audience’s privacy and comfort. Final Thoughts The airline industry’s push for personalized marketing on in-flight apps and seatbacks raises important questions about how we use technology in marketing. Perception and ethical considerations are crucial. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Always keep your audience’s perception and comfort in mind. Join out mail list to get these weekly ---> https://lnkd.in/gmYXaXR4

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The airline industry's rising quality issues are impacting customer safety and brand reputation. Read John Taylor’s Forbes article to discover how an enterprise-wide quality mindset can address these challenges effectively. https://gag.gl/HJwFGC #AirlineSafety #QualityManagement #EQMS

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Driving the Future of Airline Retailing: Key Takeaways from T2RL Engage 2024 🚀 Barbara Moreno, Accelya's Director of Product Marketing, recaps #T2RLEngage2024 in her latest blog post. She dives into how Accelya is leading the charge in Offer and Order transformation, providing airlines with adaptable and innovative retailing solutions. To learn more about Accelya's groundbreaking approach and the future of modern retailing in aviation. Check out the blog now! 👉https://ow.ly/rNjz50TL0vC #AirlineTransformation #OfferAndOrder #T2RL #ModernRetailing

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JetBlue and World Fuel Services have announced an exciting new agreement to supply up to 5 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at New York’s JFK airport, starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. This SAF will be a blend of conventional jet fuel and renewable fuels sourced from recycled animal fats, used cooking oil, and inedible corn oil. In December 2022, JetBlue committed to cutting lifecycle emissions from jet fuel by 50% per revenue tonne kilometer (RTK) by 2035. The transition to SAF is a key element of JetBlue’s decarbonization strategy, expected to account for over half of its emissions reductions. 👏 👏 https://lnkd.in/gHTRvgvc.

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Introducing AirLevate Insights. (here's why it's your new go-to community) AirLevate Insights is more than just a page—it's a community. (designed to empower professionals in the airline industry) Whether your focus is on: → Digital Marketing → Customer Engagement → Revenue Optimization or the many facets that drive our industry forward—including: → Social Media → SEO and SEM → Blogging → Customer Service → FFP Loyalty Program → Ancillary Revenue → Payments → E-commerce and M-commerce AirLevate Insights will be your go-to destination. Here's my (tried and tested) 3-step mission: 1. Collaboration, not competition ↳ Foster a space to share knowledge and discuss emerging trends ↳ Develop innovative strategies together 2. Knowledge, not just information ↳ Hub for guides, frameworks, and thought leadership articles ↳ Practical tips tailored to help you thrive 3. Engagement, not just posts ↳ Engage with content, and connect with like-minded professionals ↳ Passionate about the future of our airline and travel industries Be part of this journey where together, we help each other excel. Join me at https://lnkd.in/eAaWG_Hz With enthusiasm and commitment.

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Over the past few years, we have seen airlines attempting to aggressively reduce their costs and increase operational efficiency while trying equally hard to increase their revenue. Hence, new revenue streams have risen that airlines focus on capitalizing. Curious about what these are? Read More - https://lnkd.in/gTD-Nwzg To Book a Consultation Demo - https://lnkd.in/gHNsw6C6

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American Airlines has announced a decision to postpone the implementation of their harmful policy that negatively impacts travel agencies and independent travel advisors. The policy, which denies loyalty points to customers who book through these channels unless the agency has an ambiguous "preferred" status, will now take effect on June 5 instead of May 1. While ACTA is pleased that American Airlines has provided more time for them to reconsider and hopefully reverse this harmful policy, we remain steadfast in our resolve to advocate against it. ACTA believes that this policy unfairly penalizes travel agencies, independent advisors, and their clients, and will continue to work towards a solution that benefits all in the retail travel value chain, including our mutual customers. #AmericanAirlines #TravelAgents #TravelAdvisors #ACTA

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Michael Smith As you are wont to do, you kick off a good debate. I think, fundamentally, the #Ancillary Revenue (AR) performance difference (in relative terms) is based in the business model. LCC operate as a AR machine, whereas for many/most flag carriers AR is just that: An important, but ancillary #revenue stream that exists among many other monetisation avenues. The most successful co-brands are from flag carriers, and they have the commensurate investment in #loyalty (and tech)*. LCCs on average don't. Should they? Discuss...! *Investment does not equal execution excellence, as some of my previous post have revealed... Jay Sorensen

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Introducing AirLevate Insights. (here's why it's your new go-to community) AirLevate Insights is more than just a page—it's a community (designed to empower professionals in the airline industry). Whether your focus is on: → Digital Marketing → Customer Engagement → Revenue Optimization or the many facets that drive our industry forward—including: → Social Media → SEO and SEM → Blogging → Customer Service → FFP Loyalty Program → Ancillary Revenue → Payments → E-commerce and M-commerce AirLevate Insights will be your go-to destination. Here's my (tried and tested) 3-step mission: 1. Collaboration, not competition ↳ Foster a space to share knowledge and discuss emerging trends ↳ Develop innovative strategies together 2. Knowledge, not just information ↳ Hub for guides, frameworks, and thought leadership articles ↳ Practical tips tailored to help you thrive 3. Engagement, not just posts ↳ Engage with content, and connect with like-minded professionals ↳ Passionate about the future of our industry Be part of this journey where together, we help each other excel. Join me at https://lnkd.in/eAaWG_Hz With enthusiasm and commitment.

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The airline industry readies New Distribution Capability (NDC) for takeoff to help travelers land personalized trips and experiences. Three moments of intervention show particular promise for personalization: https://bit.ly/45vrQKI #travelinnovation #airlineindustry

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Product diversification and holistic management & optimization (offer, merchandizing, pricing) should be key levers of the airline ancillary growth strategy...

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American Airlines delayed new restrictions on how travelers can earn loyalty program miles, to July 11 from May 1. The rules will affect bookings through agencies AA does not qualify as “preferred.” Here is AA's statement on the delay: “Customers are at the center of what we do. American is evolving to give our customers the travel management experience they have come to expect, and we've invited the industry to come along with us. We’ve seen a great response from agencies increasingly adopting modern retailing technology and many have already achieved preferred retailer status. The majority of our indirect bookings are now made via an agency with NDC capabilities, and the current list of agencies beyond 30% NDC bookings is already impressive. We anticipate even more who are on the cusp of meeting the threshold to do so very soon, which will provide customers with excellent preferred agency options to go along with our offerings on aa.com. As such, we’ve decided to extend the update to the way customers earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on flights to July 11. This extension gives an opportunity for those agencies to complete the transition. We’ll continue to work closely with travel agencies to support them through this transition for our mutual customers.” Our recent coverage: https://lnkd.in/euFS3UYh American Airlines #airlineNDC #businesstravel #travelmanagement #corporatetravel #travelmanagementcompany  

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Airline Ancillary Revenue Skyrockets in 2024! 🚀​ Exciting insights from IdeaWorksCompany reveal that global airline ancillary revenue is projected to soar to $148.4 billion in 2024, marking a staggering 26% jump from 2023 and a growth of nearly $39 billion over the past 5 years. ​ This record result highlights the resilience of ancillary revenue streams, now contributing 14.9% to overall airline revenue, driven by:​ - Add-on services such as baggage and assigned seats.🧳💺​ - Commissions generated by car and hotel travel sales. 🚗🏢​ - Co-branded credit card programs associated with frequent flyer programs. 💳✈️​ Discover how ancillary revenue is reshaping the financial landscape for airlines in the recent 2024 CarTrawler Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue.⬇️​ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g8a9ACdg #CarTrawler #IdeaWorksCompany #AncillaryRevenue #Airlines #Travel​

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