Guide to Airline Software Basics

Automation of the industry using airline software applications

By Phillip Galey

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Peruse listings of companies that sell airline maintenance software

Airline maintenance software is vital for maintenance crews and maintenance managers, automating everything from maintenance manuals, records and task cards to diagnostics, compliance and maintenance program management.

I recommend: The Airline Industry Update has an extensive list of companies that make hangar-based software, i.e. software that performs various aspects of airline maintenance. Go to Capterra to compare different airline maintenance software packages.

Keep the ball rolling with all the right airline operations software

Airline operations is another category supported by airline software companies. Airline operations software handles everything from flight schedule management, flight watch and journey logging to crew rostering and training.

I recommend: Intermec Technologies sells a series of software products that handle everything from asset tracking, compliance labeling and labor productivity to repair operations, self check-in and value added services and a dozen other functions, i.e. all facets of airline operations. Thirty Thousand Feet provides a list of software systems designed to manage various facets of airline operations. InteliSys Aviation Systems provides a module-by-module functional overview of its Amelia OPS software for automation of airline operations.

Discover what the various airline information systems have to offer

An airline information system can include applications from the whole gamut of airline software, including maintenance, operations, management and networking. Different sources favor different categories of software.

I recommend: Airline Information Systems designs, writes and publishes aviation manuals of all types covering all regulatory processes. Caspis Information Systems sells software solutions for planning flights, generating timetables, rostering and pairing of crews, flight operations control, revenue management and much more. AirlineTechnology provides all four major categories of software for airlines as described above with many dozens of software programs in all.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  ITA online reservation systems software has been upgraded with a new 'change itinerary' feature. Alaska Airlines is the first customer to use the new airline management system.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a suite all-inclusive airline operations software

Airline operations software is a necessity for airlines of all sizes. Some software programs include everything from reservations software to plane maintenance software. Other airline operations software is stand-alone, usable for only one facet of operations.

I recommend: Amelia offers a suite of airline mangament software with applications that handles reservations, business operations, flight info and tracking, cargo and seating. Flight Standards' suite of operations software focuses on crew management needs and includes training software.

Keep track of your data with an airline information system

Airline information systems apply to nearly every software application in the airline industry. One way or another, airlines are dealing with information all the time. This information includes organizing crews, maintenance, baggage, arrivals, departures and weather conditions.

I recommend: SkyVantage is unique in that its software is 100% browser based. It handles info related to airline functioning, but it also helps lower costs and increase revenue. Enigma's Airline MRO Solution integrates maintenance information in real-time updates and delivers it to the technician in a single application.

Deal with airline booking software in real time

Airline reservation software can be found in airline software suites. Most airlines treat reservations as key to customer relations. Used correctly, a reservation system helps you cut down on costs.

I recommend: CarmenRez is a web-based reservation service for small and start-up airlines. Airlines save money by not having to install expensive equipment to keep track of reservation information. ITA Software is a software development company specializing in airline needs. It bases its reservation software on self-service and allows information on passenger preferences to create appealing merchandise for customers.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not regulate airline software. Be sure you are buying from a reliable developer or outsource service. If you are not especially knowledgeable about airline software, it may be best to hire an industry consultant to aid you in making your airline information software selection.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose custom training sessions to learn about airline software applications

Airline management system and booking software may look complicated because it has multiple functions for booking, baggage scanning and ticketing, to name just a few. To provide your employees with the most comprehensive training, many software companies offer courses that run through the basic and advanced features of their program.

I recommend: Intermec offers services that design custom training programs for companies that purchase its airline operating software. Quintiq provides many custom training courses for its airline scheduling and optimization software.

Explore tutorials for airline booking software

If a software company does not offer custom training sessions, it will usually offer tutorials and online support for its products. Many tutorials are organized well enough that you can use them as a training tool for employees.

I recommend: FSC Business Solutions provides a skill-based module for its airline management software. Database Products provides tutorials for all its airline software programs in the form of PowerPoint presentations.

Find seminars to help you learn the basics of software for airlines

Day or weekend seminars can also be an option for training your employees on airline management software. Many are available through the software companies themselves. These seminars differ from custom training sessions; where custom training often happens right in the workplace, seminars are usually held outside.

I recommend: Enigma offers web seminars to help better understand how to use its software products, including the Airline MRO Solution. ITA Software lists current and past seminars for its software products, including those specifically for the airline industry.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because the FAA does not regulate airline information system software for commercial airlines, it is up to the company to find the best software for its needs. Make sure you choose a program that works for you and your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Passenger check-in

Passenger check-in refers to the function of airline software that allows a gate agent to check in the passenger based on his or her name, ticket number, destination or other information.

I recommend: Visit the website for InteliSys Aviation Systems for additional information about passenger check-in and a host of other airline software terms associated with Amelia Airline Management Software.

Crew scheduling

Crew Scheduling refers to an application found in airline software that allows for airline companies to schedule crews efficiently based upon their home locations, number of hours worked and other parameters as guided by the FAA.

I recommend: Visit the website for Flight Standards Corporation for further information on crew scheduling and how it is integrated into an airline software application.

Departure control system

The departure control system is an application found within airline software that allows airline management to plan where and when planes are departing and landing. This feature is the root to building an operational schedule.

I recommend: Visit the website for Sky Vantage for more information on how a departure control system operates. There is a demonstration that can be ordered on the right side of the web page.

Cargo module, cargo interface

The cargo module, also called a cargo interface, details the amount of cargo being carried on each plane. This allows the airline to make sure that the plane is not too heavy before take off, and regulates the amount of fuel that might be burned during the course of the flight.

I recommend: Visit the website for Interglobe Technologies for information on cargo modules.

Engine maintenance, airline maintenance

Engine maintenance and airline maintenance refer to applications found within airline software that alert the airline when proper maintenance should be performed on planes within their fleet.

I recommend: Visit the website for Omega Air, who manufactures airline software used by several major domestic airline carriers. You'll find further information about engine and airline maintenance. You may also request a demo.

Web check-in

Web check-in refers to an application which is included in airline software that allows customers to check-in for the flight on the comfort of their own computers. When customers get to the airport, they can head to security if they are not carrying bags that need to be checked.

I recommend: Visit the website for 2e Systems for more information on how a web check-in application operates.