As airlines around the globe expand their reach with new routes, strategic alliances and upgraded hubs, savvy travel advisors can find even more opportunities to service customers looking for international itineraries, according to multiple industry experts.
It’s no surprise that the demand is there; the airline industry is experiencing a projected 11.6 percent in passenger growth this year, according to the International Air Transport Association.
The growing networks of non-U.S. carriers, meanwhile, means that travel advisors and their clients have a wider array of attractive choices, according to Peter Vlitas, executive vice president of partner relations at Internova Travel Group. “Anytime we have more options for customers, it helps,” he says. “It creates a more competitive environment. And when you have a more competitive environment, the customer ends up winning.”
Since many international trips require a stopover, the ability of international airlines to offer convenient, comfortable connections is an important factor to consider at the time of booking, according to Ben Lovegrove, owner of Redspan Solutions, Ltd., an aviation consulting service. “By routing passengers through their home country en route to a third nation, airlines can offer a wider array of destinations and more flexible scheduling options,” he said. “This not only enhances connectivity for travelers but also allows airlines to optimize their route networks and aircraft positioning, making operations more efficient and competitive.”
This growing network will probably yield even more choices in the future, Lovegrove added. “Emerging economies and increased liberalization of air service agreements are likely to foster an environment where such routes can flourish, providing even more options to travelers worldwide,” he said.
Ireland Source: Air Canada
The benefits of international connections
There are several reasons why the option of booking connections with a non-U.S. airline works well for travelers, according to Lovegrove. “Travel advisors benefit by having a broader spectrum of options to tailor itineraries to their clients' preferences, whether that's finding the best value, the most convenient schedules or specific airline experiences,” he explained. “These routes also allow advisors to leverage their relationships with certain airlines to secure exclusive deals or added perks, enhancing the overall travel experience for their clients.”
Nancy Wheeler, owner of Fantasy Cruises and Tours, a NEST affiliate travel agency in Orlando, Florida, says that itineraries with connections in other countries are also attractive because of the types of carriers that usually offer them. “They typically involve larger airlines vs. smaller budget airlines,” she said. “Larger airlines often offer more amenities, better customer service, larger baggage allowance and greater reliability, making the travel experience more comfortable and convenient for passengers.”
Japan Source: Air Canada
When international connections are a good fit
The idea of connecting internationally is often associated with itineraries that combine multiple long-distance flights. But Lovegrove notes that they can also be a good fit when the first stop is closer to home, too.
These itineraries are a “good buy for passengers because they offer time-saving itineraries, competitive pricing or superior service compared to direct flights,” he said. “For instance, Air Canada's positioning between the United States and Europe or Asia allows it to serve as an efficient bridge, sometimes offering shorter total travel times due to favorable scheduling. These routes are also beneficial when direct services are limited or non-existent, providing travelers with alternatives that might better suit their schedules or budgets. Not only that — frequent flyers might prefer routing through certain hubs to accrue loyalty points or enjoy familiar airport facilities.”
Indeed, frequent flyer loyalty can certainly sway many travelers, and airline affiliations and alliances can help make international carriers even more appealing, especially as innovative technology continues to streamline the concept of multi-airline travel. The Star Alliance, for example, has enabled cross-airline free seat selection on 83 percent of connecting bookings, according to a recent report in Travel Weekly.
Wheeler praised the advantages that airline alliances offer. “Being familiar with these alliances can help travel advisors discover more convenient flight options, pinpoint transit points and let clients enjoy benefits, such as smoother luggage transfers and access to airport lounges,” she said.
A simple, client-pleasing concept
Travel industry professionals may be fully aware that the ability of carriers to offer third-country connections is the result of sixth freedom rights; it’s one of the airline industry’s “freedoms of the air.” But for travelers, it’s simply a matter of choosing the airline and itinerary that makes the most sense for them, according to Vlitas. “When they say, ‘I want to fly from here to there’ and they get on a plane, they don't know it's a sixth-freedom flight,” he says. “They don't care. They're going to say, ‘there’s an option that has a good fare? Let me take it.’”
“Advisors don’t see a difference either,” Vlitas added. “They go into the GDS if somebody wants to go from here to there, and they see a quality carrier that they probably do business with in other parts of the world, and if they have a good relationship and they understand the product, they'll sell it to them. If you have a great relationship with a carrier and then that airline says, ‘hey, by the way, we’re now going into Europe or Asia,’ because of the existing relationship you have, it would be a natural fit to partner with them.”