What is a Passenger Service System and how it works?

What is a Passenger Service System and how does it make an airline more efficient?

The importance of Passenger Service Systems (PSS) in the airline industry can’t be overstated. They are the backbone of airline operations, driving efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, and optimising revenue.

Their seamless integration with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) underlines their importance, as they help airlines connect seamlessly with travel agencies and customers.

A PSS acts as the nerve centre of an airline. At its core, a PSS includes modules for reservations, inventory management, departure control, and customer relationship management (CRM). Airlines use these systems to streamline their day-to-day operations and to reduce manual errors.

Managing reservations is a crucial function. Airlines use PSS to handle bookings, cancellations, and amendments to ensure accurate seat inventory and flight availability. This capability is vital to optimise load factors and maximise revenue. Additionally, PSS assists in managing ancillary services such as seat selection, meal preferences, and special requests, leading to a more personalised travel experience.

Passenger Service Systems cater to a wide range of airlines, from full-service carriers to low-cost carriers, ensuring that each can tailor the system to meet its unique requirements. PSS providers offer scalable solutions, allowing airlines to adapt to evolving market demands and changing customer expectations.

Passenger Service Systems can interact closely with Global Distribution Systems (GDS), which are platforms that enable travel agencies and online booking platforms to access and sell airline tickets. The integration between PSS and GDS ensures real-time synchronisation of data, providing accurate and up-to-date information to both airlines and travel agents. This seamless interaction is vital for the airline industry, as it facilitates efficient communication and collaboration between various stakeholders.

At Journey Mentor, we recognise the vital role of PSS so we have developed a range of simple of-use tools that integrate the information from GDSs and New Distribution Capability (NDC), and decision support tools to provide the travel industry with a more informed picture of what is available on one single platform.