Southwest Airlines Expands Partnership with Amadeus

Southwest Airlines is to implement Amadeus’ Altéa reservations solution that will support the carrier’s domestic service.

Amadeus’ Altéa reservations solution currently supports the airline’s international service, and Southwest has long indicated a desire to operate just one reservation system as it operates multiple systems following the acquisition of AirTran and the launch of international services on Southwest.

“We were pleased with the international launch, and we could not be more impressed with the experience of Amadeus and the capabilities of their product,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. “We are the largest domestic carrier in the United States, and we believe having one reservation system will provide a better operation for our Employees and our Customers as we embark on our very bright future domestically and abroad.”

Over the next few years, Southwest and Amadeus will partner to move to a single reservation system. Until then, the airline will continue with two reservation platforms.

After two years of work, Southwest began selling international itineraries in January 2014 using Amadeus’ Altéa reservation solution. The carrier will begin flying those itineraries on 1 July 2014.

“This is an exciting time in the Technology Department of Southwest Airlines, and I could not be more enthusiastic about this partnership with Amadeus,” said Randy Sloan, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “There is much work ahead of us, but I am confident in our team and the future possibilities and capabilities we will develop to help fly Southwest into the future.”

Once implemented, Southwest will be Amadeus’ largest airline IT partner worldwide in terms of passengers boarded.