A computer reservations system or CRS, is a computerized system used to store and retrieve information and conduct transactions related to travel. Originally designed and operated by airlines, they were later extended to travel agents as a sales channel; major CRS operations are also known as Global Distribution Systems (GDS). Airlines have divested most of their direct holdings to dedicated Global Distribution System companies, and many systems are now accessible to consumers through Internet gateways for hotel, rental cars, and other services as well as airline tickets.
The Global distribution (GDS) refers to all electronic reservations channels which connect to hotel’s reservations system (or they could subscribe to an independent reservations system). Connected to the CRS through switch technology are the world’s major airlines reservations systems. And then connected to the airlines systems are travel agents and on-line subscription services.
The Global distribution (GDS) refers to all electronic reservations channels which connect to hotel’s reservations system (or they could subscribe to an independent reservations system). Connected to the CRS through switch technology are the world’s major airlines reservations systems. And then connected to the airlines systems are travel agents and on-line subscription services.
List of global distribution systems
The following is a partial list of global distribution systems:
• 1A Amadeus
• 1B Abacus (Asia/Pacific)
• 1E Travelsky (China)
• 1F Infini (Japan)
• 1G Galileo International
• 1J Axess (Japan)
• 1P Worldspan
• 1S Sabre (previously 1W)
• 1U ITA Software
• 1V Apollo (Galileo)
• Atraxis (ex-swissair now EDS)
• Topas (Korea)
• Fantasia (South Pacific)
• N1 Nextres' Iridian Project (Scandinavia)
• SITA's Gabriel
• Ix-Hotel (International)
• TechSpan
