UPDATE: May 25, 2017 - 2:46PM
Air Canada has cancelled the planned implementation of these changes indefinitely. A new implementation date will be communicated when the implementation is ready to proceed.
UPDATE: May 24, 2017 - 12:39PM
Air Canada's planned changes to their seat selection process and seat map display has been delayed 24 hours. The technical changes communicated below will now be effective on May 25, 2017, instead of May 24, 2017.
Original Story:
Effective May 24, 2017, Air Canada will make technical changes which will impact seat map displays and the seat selection process in various GDSs for Flex and Tango fares, as well as how agents reserve seats for customers on codeshare flights.
Prior to May 24, agents were able to view a seat map and determine what seats could be purchased and for how much with only a basic PNR itinerary line. Once Air Canada implements technical changes on May 24, generic seat selection requests from all GDS' will be refused and agents must append a fare quote to their PNR before they may view a seat map and select a seat.
Paid Seat Selection Process for Flex and Tango Fares:
For Sabre and Amadeus GDS subscribers:
- For markets where a paid seat fee applies (North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, Caribbean, Mexico), agents are required to store the fare prior to requesting a Seat Map. This will ensure the seat fees shown/charged align with the fare product selected. If the fare is not stored prior to requesting the Seat Map, a fee will apply. There is no change for Pacific and South America markets.
For Apollo GDS subscribers:
- For all markets, agents are required to store the fare prior to requesting a seat map and MUST issue the ticket prior to selecting a seat. This will ensure the seat fees shown/charged align with the fare product selected.
- for non EMD-enabled GDS subscribers in pay for seat markets (North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, Caribbean, Mexico), agents are required to store the fare and issue the ticket prior to requesting a Seat Map. This will ensure that any seats offered at no fee are made available.
- For other Markets (Pacific, South America), there is no change.
As is the case today, for EMD-A enabled subscribers, Paid Seat Selection can only be issued after ticketing.
There is no change to the seat selection process for customers using a Business, Premium Economy and Latitude fares in ANY GDS platforms.
Seat Selection on Codeshare Flights:
For bookings on codeshare flights marketed by another carrier and operated by Air Canada, agents may now select seat through the My Booking tab on www.aircanada.com/agents.
The following scenarios are impacted:
- UA* (or codeshare partner not hosted in Amadeus) bookings made through a GDS - North America, Mexico, Caribbean and Atlantic (Europe, Middle East, Africa, India). Today, we accept the seat selection on the Flex classes. With the technical change - any booking that is made in Tango or Flex classes the seat request will be refused. Agencies can select a seat for their customers through the My Booking tab on aircanada.com/agents, or direct the customer to the My Booking tab on aircanada.com.
- LH* (or codeshare partner hosted in Amadeus) bookings made on a LH platform or via a GDS - North America, Mexico, Caribbean, and Atlantic (Europe, Middle East, Africa, India). Today we accept the seat selection on the Flex classes. With the technical change- any booking that is made in Tango or Flex classes , the seat request will be refused. Agencies can select a seat for their customers through My Booking tab on aircanada.com/agents, or direct the customer to My Booking tab on aircanada.com
The following scenarios are NOT impacted:
- UA*bookings made on a UA platform (united.com and UA Call Centres) will experience no change
- Any codeshare partner not hosted in Amadeus - e.g. UA* - bookings made through a GDS for Pacific and South America
- Any codeshare partner hosted in Amadeus - e.g. LH* - bookings made on a LH platform or via a GDS for Pacific and South America
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