Retailing Transformation. Where are you?
Accelya launched Air Transformation Lab in 2020 to inject fresh thinking into airline retailing. Since then, the industry has taken giant steps to make airline retailing a reality. 2021 saw NDC go “mainstream,” and airlines become less dependent on legacy. Today’s new Air Transformation Lab asks a fundamental question: when it comes to the path to distribution freedom and high-performance retailing, where is your airline on this route? Join us on this exploration into airline retailing from various vantage points to inspire your journey ahead.
THE STARTING POINT
This series of articles deep dive into some of the critical areas airlines address on their journey to high-performance retailing. The starting point may differ, and the route may take many twists and turns, but the destination is the same. It's an end-to-end transformation. Where is your airline on that journey, and what do you need to know? Read on to explore.
Marketing Team 6 MIN Read
NDC adoption: Tools for a successful partnership
Are you considering implementing IATA NDC? Do you want to grow the success of your strategy? Do you need help encouraging your airline's travel partners to migrate to NDC platforms? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, download the "NDC adoption: Tools for a successful partnership" commercial toolkit, where Bill Cavendish reviews some of the most common and potent adoption strategies. Which NDC strategy is right for your airline? Download our commercial toolkit to find out.
Jonathan Newman 2 MIN Read
Aligning distribution and sales goals to propel growth
In the ten years since New Distribution Capability (NDC) was launched, early adopters have deployed many strategies to encourage travel sellers to move from consuming content through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) to NDC. Airline commercial leaders have rewarded travel sellers for aligning with their distribution goals by using sticks (such as removal of access to certain content) and/or carrots (segment fees, lower pricing). As a result of this alignment, they have been able to drive value from travel sellers more effectively. Read Accelya's Jonathan Newman's blog to learn more.
Muffi Lokhandwala 3 MIN Read
Making the most of ONE Order: Think finance!
Technological changes typically bring opportunities for airlines. Maximizing those opportunities requires that every team that will be impacted by the change is involved from the start. Bringing the finance team out from “behind the scenes” in the planning and integration phase could be the key to unlocking the high-performance retailing potential of ONE Order, writes Muffi Lokhandwala, Business Development for Financial Solutions at Accelya.
Fearghal O'Connell 3 MIN Read
Leading the charge for high-performance retailing at World Aviation Festival
The Accelya team took center stage at the World Aviation Festival to talk about revenue management, game-changing innovation, and our vision as the industry emerges into a third horizon of value. Mark McDonald, Global Sales and Business Development, summarizes the World Aviation Festival experience. Watch his video to learn more about the World Aviation Festival 2022 experience.
Jonathan Newman 2 MIN Read
When addressing the biggest unoptimized cost on your balance sheet, there are six questions to ask
As the budgeting process begins and travel sellers start to look to your airline to understand your value proposition, it's worth exploring how commercial strategy and distribution come together in driving revenue from your investment in incentives. Jonathan Newman recommends six questions an airline should ask to maximize the revenue from each incentive dollar spent.
Tye Radcliffe 2 MIN Read
The third horizon of opportunity – high-performance retailing
The event season is a great time of year when we get the opportunity to lift our heads from the busy day-to-day and look at what is on the horizon, at the trends shaping the airline industry. Accelya's Tye Radcliffe, SVP of Product Strategy for the Order group, gives his perspective on the market with the industry emerging into the third horizon of value. What does that mean? Read on to find out.
Nancy Delgado 7 MIN Read
Why NDC? Why now?
Welcome to a new series of Air Transformation Lab articles on NDC adoption. With Accelya processing 40% of the world’s NDC transactions, we are in a unique position to see the positive impact of distribution and channel management strategy on airline sales. In this first installment, Nancy Delgado and Fearghal O’Connell explore why now is the best time for an airline to launch its NDC journey.
Muffi Lokhandwala 4 MIN Read
You can’t sell anything if you can’t account for it!
Accounting plays a key role in delivering airlines to the future world of offers and orders. But how can an airline’s finance team reconcile new ways with back-end operations - while doing business-as-usual? In this Air Transformation Lab article, Muffi Lokhandwala explores the role of order accounting in the journey to high-performance retailing.
Andrew Webster 4 MIN Read
ONE Order. It’s Simple
Accelya’s newly appointed Director of Product Management for ONE Order, Andrew Webster, picks up the story on ONE Order and order management and how its implementation will affect the future of the airline business. In his first Air Transformation Lab post, Andrew shares his wealth of experience and knowledge from his many years at one of the world’s largest airline groups. Welcome to the team, Andrew!
Fearghal O'Connell 3 MIN Read
Lufthansa Group airlines: how to get on the right path to retailing transformation
Bill Cavendish, Global Business Development in Accelya, caught up with Johannes Walter, Head of Channel Partners at Lufthansa Group airlines. Johannes tells us about how NDC is at the start of the airline group’s journey toward end-to-end retailing, with ONE Order approaching on the horizon.
Marketing Team 1 MIN Read
NDC analytics: Data not deity
There’s a saying, “In God we trust, all others must bring data.” It has never been so relevant than today, as insights will enable airlines to weather the whims of a volatile travel market and fast-track their path back to profitability.
Jim Davidson 2 MIN Read
Retailing Transformation. Where Are You? Jim Davidson
Now I am Accelya’s new Chief Executive Officer. I am incredibly humbled and excited to take the helm of this company looking to change up the retailing opportunity for airlines and the wider industry. So, it feels right to open the next chapter of the Air Transformation Lab. I am calling this chapter “Where Are You?”. Because an airline’s journey can have many starting points. The route can take various turns along the way, but the destination is the same. It’s end-to-end retailing transformation.
Amanda Campbell 11 MIN Read
Road to retailing excellence – ONE Order and Order Management
Do you need to get up to speed with ONE Order or do you want a refresher? Curious about how it will affect the future of the airline business? Then, check out our long-form blog for an introduction to ONE Order and order management.
AIRLINE VOICE RADIO
Transformation pioneers and great storytellers Nancy Delgado and Tye Radcliffe take over the mic to explore the road to high-performance retailing by engaging with industry leaders. These two have all the qualities of a good podcast host: they ask the right questions, are relatable, and are both great storytellers. Tune in for this new season of “Reaching New Heights,” which promises to be fresh, genuine, and always insightful.
Fearghal O'Connell 3 MIN Listen
Airline Voice Radio podcast episode 16: What does NDC success look like? with Justin Jovignot – TAP Air Portugal
Two new hosts have joined us on Airline Voice Radio. Industry pioneers and great storytellers: Nancy Delgado and Tye Radcliffe. Nancy and Tye are here to get some fresh perspectives on high-performance retailing from airline thought leaders. In this episode, Tye sits down with Justin Jovignot, TAP Air Portugal’s Director of Commercial Strategy and Distribution.
Fearghal O'Connell 17 MIN Listen
Airline Voice Radio podcast episode 15: Trading up to a new revenue management vision with Melissa Skluzacek, easyJet
For this new season of Airline Voice Radio, we welcome two new hosts. Transformation pioneers and great storytellers Nancy Delgado and Tye Radcliffe take over the mic to explore the road to high-performance retailing by engaging with industry leaders. In this first episode, Tye talks to Melissa Skluzacek, easyJet’s Director of Trading and Revenue Management.
Fearghal O'Connell 25 MIN Listen
Airline Voice Radio podcast episode 14: Lovin’ Distribution with Nadine Dawood Morgan, Qantas
The Airline Voice Radio series "Reaching New Heights" goes down under and sees Accelya's Jim Davidson catch up with Nadine Dawood Morgan, Head of Distribution and Payment at Qantas. Nadine is an avid fan of communication and education to create NDC advocates ready to spread the word and increase adoption.
Fearghal O'Connell 24 MIN Listen
Airline Voice Radio podcast episode 13: Distribution revolution or evolution? with Jiri Marek, Air Serbia
Accelya's Jim Davidson continues the "Reaching New Heights" series with Jiri Marek, CEO of Air Serbia. Jiri is a firm believer that distribution needs to transform, but you’ll have to listen to the podcast to see if he thinks a revolution or an evolution would work best.
Fearghal O'Connell 23 MIN Listen
Airline Voice Radio podcast episode 12: Setting the tempo for a rocking startup performance, with Birgir Jonsson, PLAY Airlines
The Airline Voice Radio series "Reaching New Heights" returns to the airwaves with Accelya CEO Jim Davidson chatting to Birgir Jónsson, CEO at PLAY Airlines. This Icelandic startup airline is benefiting from the resurgence in international travel and has added many new routes to its portfolio, including various US destinations. Not all CEOs can claim to be rockstars, but Birgir was a professional drummer in one of Iceland’s most famous bands. Now he’s setting the tempo for a great startup performance.
Fearghal O'Connell 20 MIN Listen
Airline Voice Radio podcast episode 11: Who would want to go back to a non-smartphone? Neil Geurin, American Airlines
In this first episode in a new season called "Reaching New Heights", Accelya CEO Jim Davidson talks to Neil Geurin, Managing Director of Digital Customer Experience and Distribution at American Airlines. The US carrier is seeing encouraging numbers on its flights and has started thinking holistically about customers rather than if the trip is for business or leisure.
THE GIANTS’ WAY
In these relatable video interviews, airline leaders share their experiences and lift the hood on the front runners’ strategies. Hear from your peers at the cutting edge of high-performance retailing.
Marketing Team 41 MIN Watch
Customer-centricity and finance’s role in reaching the third horizon
Taking the stage at IATA's World Financial Symposium, Accelya's Philip Fernandes explained that the ambition of the third horizon is to allow airlines to move into an era of high-performance retailing with the customer at the center of their operations. Read about Philip's position on finance's role in retailing transformation and watch the full panel session entitled “How to make it work? The providers' point of view”.
Marketing Team 3 MIN Watch
Retailing transformation: RwandAir share their views
At the World Financial Symposium in Qatar, Bright Kayinamura, Interline Accounting Manager at RwandAir, gave us some great insights into the state of NDC and ONE Order in Africa. Bright is convinced that with further training, finance will be better positioned to help accelerate the journey to NDC and ONE Order.
Marketing Team 5 MIN Watch
Retailing transformation: Alaska Airlines share their views
Accelya caught up with some finance giants at the World Financial Symposium in Qatar. Alaska Airlines' Director of Revenue Accounting, Jenny Benjamin, gave us her point of view on finance's position in retailing transformation.
Marketing Team 3 MIN Watch
Retailing transformation: Royal Air Maroc share their views
Accelya met some finance giants at the World Financial Symposium in Qatar. In this video, Soufiane Attif, Royal Air Maroc's Head of Revenue Accounting, gave us his insights into what part finance has to play in retailing transformation. One of the key tasks is the simplification of as many processes as possible to allow ONE Order to succeed.
Marketing Team 3 MIN Watch
Retailing transformation: Kenya Airways share their views
At the World Financial Symposium in Doha, Accelya sat down with Ezekiel Oduor, Revenue Accounting Manager at Kenya Airways. For Ezekiel, a greater NDC adoption gives the airline an opportunity to reduce its distribution costs and extend its rich content.
Marketing Team 3 MIN Watch
Retailing transformation: Finance giants share their views
At the World Financial Symposium in Doha in September, Accelya got together with airline finance leaders under one roof - after more than two years! We caught up with them to understand their perspectives on the role of finance in retailing transformation. Watch the videos where our 'giants' of finance give their take on their role in ensuring the success of retailing transformation in their airlines.
Marketing Team 5 MIN Watch
Bringing integrity: the role of finance in retailing transformation
At the recent World Financial Symposium in Doha, airline leaders discussed the opportunities for accounting in a world of offers and orders. Qantas' Head of Revenue Accounting, Konda Reddy, and Accelya's Philip Fernandes took the stage to set the scene for their industry colleagues. If you're in airline finance and couldn't attend the session, we have rounded up the key takeaways in this Air Transformation Lab article.
Fearghal O'Connell 7 MIN Watch
Reimagining distribution landscapes, with George Bryan, Hawaiian Airlines
Earlier this year, we announced that Accelya is powering Hawaiian Airlines' market-first distribution strategy. We sat down with George Bryan, Hawaiian Airline’s Senior Director of Distribution, to learn more about the US carrier’s ongoing transformation journey.