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United Airlines and Travelport Join Forces for Modern Airline Retailing

In a remarkable step towards modernizing airline retail practices, United Airlines and Travelport have announced a strategic partnership that aims to reshape the way airlines and travel agencies collaborate. This alliance marks a significant departure from traditional methods of airline-distributor interactions, showcasing a joint effort between both entities to develop innovative solutions tailored for travel agencies and corporate buyers.

A New Era of Collaboration

As air travel continues to evolve in the digital age, the necessity for airlines to partner with content providers is more important than ever. United and Travelport’s collaboration will enable travel agents to access advanced retailing capabilities that enhance their service offerings. Andrew Nocella, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of United Airlines, emphasized that this relationship is not just a business transaction but a commitment to providing travel agencies and corporate clients with cutting-edge, innovative tools. "Our new cooperation model ensures that our partners can benefit from the best retail travel solutions available," he stated.

Unveiling New Capabilities

The partnership allows Travelport to gain early access to United's New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology roadmap. Together, both companies will work on developing new functionalities that will serve as an upgrade to traditional distribution methods. This integration promises to deliver increased transparency, flexibility, and value in the air travel distribution landscape, benefiting both travel counselors and end customers.

Enhanced Services and Online Booking Tools

Through the collaboration, United plans to introduce a suite of Online Booking Tool (OBT) enhancements that include useful features such as:

• - The ability to pool unused United travel credits,
• - Direct enrollment in the United MileagePlus® loyalty program,
• - Utilizing United Jetstream amenity funds for ancillary purchases.

These features will be incorporated into Travelport’s Deem OBT platform and the Travelport+ ecosystem, enhancing the customer experience and encouraging travel agents to utilize advanced digital tools.

Accelerated Innovation and Development

In order to expedite the implementation of these innovations, both companies will focus on technical cooperation at a level deeper than any traditional airline-distributor relationship. This means allocating dedicated resources to facilitate the rapid deployment of new features specifically catering to the needs of Travelport+, a platform designed for modern retailing focused on travel agency requirements.

United’s commitment towards swift development extends to working with third parties that can quickly bring innovations to market. This strategic partnership enables both organizations to prioritize and fast-track their development efforts together, ensuring they can remain competitive in the fast-paced travel industry.

Future Implementation Phases

The collaboration will roll out in phases, with initial capabilities set to launch in early 2026. As the implementation progresses throughout the year, specialized teams from United Airlines will be deployed to assist travel agencies during the transition, ensuring that agencies can smoothly adapt to the new technologies and reap the full benefits of the partnership.

A Commitment to Modernizing Airline Retailing

This long-term partnership reflects not only the ambitions of United Airlines and Travelport but also their dedication to transforming the travel industry by supporting travel agencies and management companies. By combining forces, both companies aim to create a more efficient, customer-friendly environment that benefits travelers globally.

About United Airlines

United Airlines, known for its extensive network and service operations, has established itself as one of the largest airlines in the world, connecting travelers across various destinations. With a focus on innovation and customer experience, United continues to lead the way in advancing airline service delivery.

About Travelport

Travelport is a leading global technology company dedicated to enhancing the booking experience for travel suppliers around the world. Its state-of-the-art platform optimizes how travel is sold and connects buyers with sellers in the industry. This strategic partnership with United Airlines represents a future-oriented approach to travel technology, reinforcing both companies' commitment to progress in the travel arena.