OREANDA-NEWS. Travelport and United Airlines today announce that Travelport-connected agents in the U.S. can now sell United Economy Plus extra-legroom seating. With this announcement, Travelport becomes the first global distribution system (GDS) to re-launch the capability for travel agents to sell the additional space and comfort of Economy Plus while maintaining the processing efficiency of GDS bookings. In addition, Travelport-connected agents in the U.S. now have the ability to access Economy Plus seat availability and prices within the agent workflow, as well as book complimentary Economy Plus seats for qualified MileagePlus customers and their companions.

"We're delighted to provide Travelport-connected travel agents in the U.S. with the ability to offer and fulfill their customers' wishes to purchase United Economy Plus seating and to become the first GDS to do so," said Chris Engle, vice president, Air Services, Travelport. "This is a prime example of Travelport executing one piece of its merchandising strategy: to partner with airlines to enable them to distribute their fares and ancillary content exactly how they choose to, to do so through the travel agency channel, and to do it in a way that supports the integrity and efficiency of the GDS booking and management process for travel agents."  

"We're extremely pleased to join with Travelport to sell United Economy Plus seating to our mutual customers through this channel," said John Slater, United's vice president of sales for the Americas. "This next-generation travel technology enables our travel management company partners to utilize the same dynamic pricing and to provide the same Economy Plus shopping experience as we do on united.com."

United offers more extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any other airline in North America.

The airline is working closely with Travelport to improve its ability to sell ancillary products like Economy Plus.