Lufthansa's New GDS Deals Cost It More But Give It 'Freedom'

Full content has become a fixture of contracts between major airlines and global distribution systems: In exchange for an airline's full range of fares, schedules and availability, GDSs provide discounted segment fees. On Tuesday, Lufthansa announced it has opted out of those established strictures, freeing it to boldly embark on a strategy to surcharge, vary content by channel, pursue alternative distribution methods and, in doing so, attract more direct bookings.