Course Title: Ticketing and Reservation Systems (GDS – Amadeus, Sabre)

Course Overview: 

Welcome To EarthTab Business School. My Name Is Alain Tshibanda And I Will Be Your Course Preceptor For The Course, Ticketing And Reservation Systems( GDS-Amadeus, Sabre).

1. Introduction to Ticketing and Reservation Systems

This course provides a comprehensive and professional-level training in the use of Global Distribution Systems (GDS), with a strong focus on Amadeus and Sabre, the two most widely used platforms in the aviation and travel industries. You will gain hands-on command knowledge, workflow mastery, and practical ticketing skills necessary for employment in airlines, travel agencies, tour operations, and corporate travel management companies.

The course bridges theory and practice, equipping you not only to operate the systems but also to understand the global travel ecosystem, regulatory frameworks, and revenue models that make GDS critical to the industry.

2. Contextual Background and Relevance

• Global Distribution Systems (GDS):
  GDS platforms are real-time, worldwide computerized networks that allow travel service providers (airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, etc.) to distribute their inventory to agents and end-customers. They function as the backbone of global travel distribution, linking supply (airlines, hotels) with demand (travel agents, OTAs, corporate clients).
  
  

• Why Amadeus & Sabre?
  
  

• Amadeus: Dominant in Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Known for innovative air, hotel, and rail booking solutions, with deep penetration in multi-modal travel management.
  
  

• Sabre: Widely used in North & South America, recognized for fast flight search capabilities, pricing efficiency, and integration with corporate booking tools.
  Together, they control the largest share of the global travel market, and mastery of both systems ensures career flexibility.
  
  

• Industry Applications:
  
  

• Airline ticketing and fare management
  
  

• Itinerary planning and reservation handling
  
  

• PNR (Passenger Name Record) creation and management
  
  

• Fare quotations, ticket issuance, reissuance, and refunds
  
  

• Travel documentation and compliance with IATA/ICAO regulations
  
  

• Revenue management and yield optimization
  
  

• Corporate and leisure travel management
  
  

3. Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

1. Gain mastery in GDS environments (Amadeus and Sabre).
   
   

2. Understand the workflow of passenger reservation management.
   
   

3. Create, modify, and manage Passenger Name Records (PNRs).
   
   

4. Accurately perform fare construction and ticket issuance using automated and manual pricing entries.
   
   

5. Handle ticket revalidation, reissue, cancellations, and refunds in compliance with IATA standards.
   
   

6. Integrate knowledge of industry coding systems (airline codes, city codes, airport codes, class codes).
   
   

7. Explore advanced modules like e-ticketing, ancillary services, interline agreements, and NDC (New Distribution Capability).
   
   

8. Develop problem-solving and troubleshooting skills within GDS environments.
   
   

9. Prepare for industry-recognized certification exams and real-world job readiness.
   
   

4. Program Structure (High-Level Modules)

The course is divided into 10 advanced modules, each structured to move from foundational theory → system navigation → applied practice → advanced problem-solving.

Module 1: Foundations of Airline Ticketing & Reservation Systems

• History and evolution of distribution systems: From CRS (Computerized Reservation Systems) to GDS.
  
  

• The role of IATA and ICAO in shaping standards.
  
  

• Airline business models: Full-service carriers vs. low-cost carriers.
  
  

• Key terminologies: PNR, SSR, OSI, RBD, BSP, ARC, etc.
  
  

• Industry coding: Airport codes, airline codes, fare basis codes.
  
  

Module 2: Global Distribution Systems (GDS) Overview

• GDS functionality and architecture.
  
  

• Amadeus vs. Sabre – market differences and strengths.
  
  

• Distribution channels: Travel agencies, OTAs, metasearch engines, corporate booking tools.
  
  

• Future of GDS: NDC, AI, and blockchain in reservations.
  
  

Module 3: Passenger Name Record (PNR) Management

• Creating a PNR (mandatory and optional fields).
  
  

• Modifying, canceling, and retrieving PNRs.
  
  

• Adding ancillary services (seats, baggage, meals).
  
  

• Special service requests (SSR) and other service information (OSI).
  
  

• Queue management and follow-ups.
  
  

Module 4: Flight Reservations & Itinerary Building

• Displaying flight schedules and availability.
  
  

• Checking seat classes and booking codes.
  
  

• Building multi-segment itineraries (one-way, round-trip, open-jaw).
  
  

• Advanced itinerary planning (code-share flights, interline connections).
  
  

• Group bookings and special group handling.
  
  

Module 5: Fares and Fare Construction

• Fare display and analysis.
  
  

• Fare basis codes explained.
  
  

• Seasonality, routing, and mileage concepts.
  
  

• Automated vs. manual fare construction.
  
  

• Using ATPCO and IATA fare rules.
  
  

Module 6: Ticketing Procedures

• E-ticketing fundamentals.
  
  

• BSP/ARC processes and settlement systems.
  
  

• Ticket issuance workflow in Amadeus & Sabre.
  
  

• Revalidation vs. reissue.
  
  

• Ticket exchanges, refunds, and involuntary reroutes.
  
  

Module 7: Advanced Pricing & Revenue Management

• Yield management and dynamic pricing.
  
  

• Fare restrictions and combinability rules.
  
  

• GDS integration with airline revenue systems.
  
  

• Corporate contracts, negotiated fares, and private fares.
  
  

• Taxes, surcharges, and ancillary revenue streams.
  
  

Module 8: Hotel, Car, and Other Travel Services in GDS

• Hotel reservation process via Amadeus & Sabre.
  
  

• Car rental bookings and insurance add-ons.
  
  

• Rail, cruise, and tour bookings.
  
  

• Cross-selling strategies for travel agencies.
  
  

Module 9: Troubleshooting & Advanced Command Handling

• Common errors and how to resolve them.
  
  

• Queue management in high-volume agencies.
  
  

• Complex itineraries (round-the-world, multi-airline sectors).
  
  

• Emergency handling (irregular operations, flight cancellations).
  
  

Module 10: Industry Compliance, Future Trends & Career Development

• IATA BSP/ARC compliance.
  
  

• Passenger rights regulations (EU261, DOT).
  
  

• NDC and One Order: Future of ticketing.
  
  

• Cybersecurity in GDS operations.
  
  

• Career pathways: Travel consultant, airline ticketing officer, GDS trainer.
  
  

5. Pedagogical Approach

This course will blend theoretical explanations, practical demonstrations, and industry case studies. You will be trained through:

• Simulator practice: Live Amadeus and Sabre training platforms.
  
  

• Hands-on commands: PNR creation, fare checks, ticket issuance.
  
  

• Scenario-based problem solving: Handling reissues, disruptions, group bookings.
  
  

• Quizzes and assignments: To reinforce system navigation.
  
  

• Final capstone project: Managing a corporate client’s multi-city itinerary with pricing, issuance, and documentation.
  
  

6. Expected Outcomes and Industry Value

After completing this course, you will be:
GDS-proficient, with hands-on Amadeus and Sabre command expertise.
Capable of handling complex ticketing workflows independently.
Ready for immediate employment in travel agencies, airlines, TMCs, and OTAs.
Equipped with industry certifications that boost global career mobility.
Future-ready with knowledge of NDC, AI, and digital innovations in reservations.

I Look Forward To Congratulating You Upon Completion Of This Course.