Datalex Enable Strategic Selling Platform for VirginAtlantic.com

Business Wire, Nov 3, 2006

Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched new advanced shopping features to virginatlantic.com using the Datalex TDP Shopping and Availability Management Solution, enabling an improved customer experience with calendar and price led shopping

DUBLIN, Ireland -- VirginAtlantic.com is now utilising the advanced availability and shopping functionality of the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform(TM) (TDP) as part of a 5 year partnership between Datalex and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

TDP advanced shopping functionality enables Virgin Atlantic Airways to revolutionise the way it sells online, providing greater choice, accuracy and flexibility to the consumer shopping experience. New system performance efficiencies enabled by the TDP availability management system not only drive significant improvements in response times to the consumer but also enable distribution cost savings which were previously unattainable.

Users may now shop preferred flights using low fare shopping functions to find valid and available fares. Calendar displays highlight cheapest fares across variable date ranges. A cabin upgrade feature offers the customer the ability to upgrade on either their inbound or outbound journeys separately or for their entire journey. Calendar based redemption shopping provide user friendly availability maps to shop for available 'Flying Club' redemption fares.

Simon Fox, Director Information Technology, Virgin Atlantic Airways, said, "The Datalex solution provides Virgin Atlantic with an efficient and extensible solution in keeping with the Virgin Atlantic vision for customer service and strong distribution cost control. The solution will deliver more choice to our customers through a flexible range of shopping options, such as calendar shopping of combined transatlantic and domestic European fares. Consumer response has been very positive."

Aidan Brogan, SVP Global Sales Datalex, said, "Datalex are delighted to have forged this 5 year partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways. We are confident that our TDP Solution will continue to drive direct distribution, maximise yield and give competitive advantage to virgin-atlantic.com."

About Datalex

Datalex is a leading provider of travel distribution software and solutions that enable global travel industry suppliers and distributors deliver increased content and choice to their customers across multiple sales channels, while enabling record reductions in distribution costs.

Datalex has served the travel industry with innovative technology products and solutions for over 20 years. Its customers represent the travel industry elite and include major airlines, hotel and resort groups, and major travel distribution organizations. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the company maintains offices in Europe, Singapore, Australia and USA.