Along Came a Standard: Air Travel Distribution Redefined

Summary

Every once in a while, the earth, moon and stars align and a new standard is created without fanfare, angst, parochialism or self-serving politics.

This appears to be the case with Routehappy, a New York–based startup, acquired in 2018 by the Airline Travel Publishing Company (ATPCO). Since ATPCO is owned by a group of airlines, the Routehappy purchase has been well received by the air distribution community, as the airlines themselves are participating in the definition and development of the initiative. What makes Routehappy such an attractive partner is that the enterprise has something for almost everyone. Though Phocuswright does not endorse commercial products, this discussion of Routehappy is different; ATPCO works with a wide range of airlines and other travel distribution companies and is helping to set the direction of air travel shopping worldwide.