Amadeus

Amadeus GDS is one of the major GDS systems and was originally created by Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia and SAS airlines as a European based alternative to Sabre, a similar GDS system based in the United States. It was founded in 1987 and while it initially focused on connecting end users with airline inventories, it has since grown to offer access to other travel services, including hotel rooms and car rental services.

There are numerous benefits for hotel owners using the Amadeus GDS system, with the most obvious being distribution to travel agents and customers on a global level. The platform offers business to business (B2B) and business to customer (B2C) distribution and provides travel agencies with 24 hour access to hotel inventories.

Regarding market share, Amadeus is the largest GDS system, accounting for around 40 percent of travel agency bookings and using around 90,000 travel agencies. The company is based in Spain, while the central database is in Germany, meaning it can serve as an especially powerful gateway to the European market.

Amadeus provides software solutions for airlines, airports, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, etc., helping them to connect to the travel ecosystem. It's one of the world's top ten travel technology companies and has a presence in over 190 countries.it is accounting for about 40% of global GDS transactions, though it is especially popular in Europe.

Who Uses Amadeus?

Amadeus is used by various players in the travel industry, including:

• Airlines: Over 400 airlines use Amadeus for flight reservations, pricing and inventory management.
• Online Travel Agencies (OTAs): Platforms like Expedia and Trip.com use Amadeus to access airline and hotel data.
• Traditional Travel Agencies: Amadeus provides booking solutions for independent and corporate travel agencies.
• Hotels & Hospitality Companies: Many hotels use Amadeus for distribution, reservations, and revenue management.
• Car Rental & Rail Operators: Companies like Hertz and Europcar use Amadeus for rental bookings.
• Tour Operators & Cruise Lines: Amadeus supports travel package bookings, including tours and cruises.

Why is Amadeus Famous?

• One of the Leading GDS Providers:  Along with Sabre and Travelport, Amadeus is among the top GDS systems.
• Strong Airline Network: Used by major airlines like Lufthansa, Emirates and British Airways.
• Efficient Travel Distribution: Offers real time access to flights, hotels, and rental cars for seamless booking.
• Innovative Technology: Provides AI driven pricing models, automation tools and cloud based solutions.
• Wide Global Presence: Used in over 190 countries and connects millions of travel professionals worldwide.