What Ancillaries means
Ancillaries let airlines unbundle the fare and charge for the parts each traveller values. They range from flight-related services like advance seats and meals to ticket-related items like lounge passes, and even merchandise sold with no ticket at all. ATPCO's Optional Services framework groups them by type and lets airlines file prices with conditions by route, passenger and fare.
In traditional distribution, a paid ancillary is fulfilled with an EMD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document). IATA defines the EMD as a standard document for fulfilling optional services. An EMD-A is associated with a specific e-ticket coupon and used together with it, while an EMD-S stands alone.
NDC and the move towards ONE Order change the picture. Through NDC APIs, airlines can offer ancillaries with descriptions and images in the shopping response and add them to an order directly, which lets agencies sell the same extras as the airline website. Many airlines also include some ancillaries in branded fares, so a traveller can choose a bundle or buy items one at a time.
How Ancillaries works
An ancillary moves through filing, offer, purchase and fulfilment, much like a fare.
- Define the serviceThe airline defines the service, its sub code and type, for example a flight-related seat or a ticket-related lounge pass.
- Set price and conditionsPrices and conditions are filed, for example through ATPCO Optional Services, or held in the airline's own offer system for NDC.
- Offer to the travellerDuring booking or later, the agency system requests available ancillaries for the passenger and itinerary.
- PurchaseThe traveller selects the extra and pays; the service is added to the PNR or airline order.
- Fulfil and accountAn EMD is issued, or the order is updated in NDC, and the airline delivers the service and records the revenue.
Ancillaries in practice
Illustrative. A family of four books economy Light fares from Riyadh to Istanbul through an agency. Before ticketing, the agent adds one 23 kg checked bag per adult and seats together in one row. In a GDS workflow, the bag and seat fees are priced from the airline's filed optional services and issued as EMD-A documents linked to each ticket coupon. Booked through the airline's NDC API instead, the same extras would appear as priced offer items and be added to the order without a separate EMD in the agency workflow.
Who uses it
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Airlines can offer a lower base fare and earn extra revenue from services travellers choose.
- Travellers pay only for the services they value, which suits different trip types.
- Agencies that sell ancillaries can offer a complete booking and earn service fees.
Limitations
- Ancillary content and pricing differ between channels, so agencies may not see all options.
- Total trip cost becomes harder to compare when extras are priced separately.
- Servicing changes and refunds of EMDs or NDC order items adds operational work.
Frequently asked questions about Ancillaries
How do travel agents add a paid bag or seat after ticketing?
Retrieve the booking, request the airline's available ancillaries for that passenger and flight, then price and issue the service. In a GDS this usually creates an EMD linked to the ticket; on an NDC booking the item is added to the airline order. Some airlines only allow certain extras through their own channels.
Can travel agents sell airline ancillaries?
Yes, where the airline makes them available in the agency's channel. Agents can sell many extras through GDSs using EMDs, and NDC connections often offer a wider range directly from the airline. Availability varies by airline and system.
Are ancillaries included in branded fares?
Some are. Higher fare brands often include services like a checked bag or seat selection, while lower brands leave them as paid extras. Compare the brand inclusions before buying extras separately.
What are the most common airline ancillaries?
Common examples are checked baggage, advance seat selection, extra legroom seats, meals, priority boarding, lounge access, Wi-Fi and change or refund options. Airlines decide which services to charge for and at what price.
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