Originally Posted by
Traveloguy
Whilst I agree with the two file keys reference in your post, you do realise Amadeus is effectively one monolithic platform hosted by Amadeus itself? It might be divided up between customers, but it's still the same platform. It's also the reason why QF and BA can see each others bookings as long as the appropriate PNR is given.
It's also effectively a single website but with customisations/configurations around each individual customer (eg QF).
Even more complicated - Amadeus uses more than one Platform:
ALTEA is more than a distribution system. QF is one of the Key customers of the ALTEA Suite.
http://www.amadeus.com/airlineit/sol...ol_1altea.html
Not all Airlines use the same modules of the ALTEA Suite, some use the just the classic distribution system.
http://www.amadeus.com/airlinedistribution/index.html
The main issue of an E-Ticket and an reservation system is that it is common between the partnering airlines:
- Be careful ticketing and reservation systems are two different parts!
- Airlines with Interline Agreements should have the possibility to access reservations and tickets!
This is the main feature of network carriers in contrast to Low Cost Carriers.
These use standalone reservation and ticketing systems (like
http://www.navitaire.com/). These offer limited connectivity to other systems.
OK if an reservation covers two different reservation systems they are usually held in both systems: LX and LH is a classic example. LH uses Amadeus and LX uses AxRes (old system but LX likes it). So Reservations in both systems are created - usually you get two filekeys. Problems come up if you change one reservation and the change is not copied to the other one. For example: You can access the Amadeus Reservation of an LX flight and set a seat reservation on the LH-Homepage in the Amadeus System. You get it confirmed, but the LX System simply ignores it! Even worse are those shadow systems that cover Low-Cost Carriers! Connecting a GDS to a LCC is like making a pig flying, but they try it everyday!
To our BA/QF Example: Both use two different Amadeus Systems (IIRC QF has the latest system with all the bells and whistles). The twin PNR work quite good: One filekey for BA flights and the other one for QF flights.
My last flights were in November 2012 - things can change quite fast.
If BA would migrate to the same system - that would be obsolete.