Long-haul flights have always carried opportunity for travel agents. They are often higher-value enquiries, they can open the door to wider customer relationships, and they give agents a chance to demonstrate real expertise. But they are also becoming more complex, writes Glenn Lowry, Head of Agency Sales, Fareteam
The way flights are searched, priced, distributed and serviced has changed significantly. Agents are no longer dealing with one simple route to content. They are working across GDS, NDC, net fares, published fares, branded fares, changing airline rules and customers who expect speed, choice and reassurance almost immediately.
For many agents, particularly independent agencies, homeworkers and smaller teams without a dedicated in-house flight desk, that creates a difficult balance. Long-haul bookings can be commercially valuable, but they can also take time. If an itinerary involves multiple destinations, group travel, specific fare rules, date changes, name corrections, refund queries or airline-specific requirements, the work behind the booking can quickly become much bigger than the original enquiry.
Fareteam
That matters because agent time is commercial time. A long-haul booking should be an opportunity, not an operational headache.
The answer is not simply more technology. Technology is essential, but a booking platform on its own does not solve every problem. Agents also need confidence that, when a booking becomes complicated, they can speak to someone who understands the trade, knows the fare environment and can help get the issue sorted.
That is where the market is changing. The strongest model for agents is becoming a blend of technology and people. That means fast access to flight content, backed by expert support when the booking needs more than a search result.
At Fareteam, that is the approach we have built around. Our platform was designed by travel agents for travel agents, giving users access to NDC, Net/ITX and published fares, with GBP and Euro capability. But the platform is only part of the story. Behind it sits a team of flight experts who support agents with quotes, bookings, complex itineraries, groups and post-booking requirements.
The scale of activity shows how much demand there is for this type of support. Fareteam now supports more than 100 travel agencies and 500 active users, with more than one million flight searches taking place through the platform each year. UK sales are already 27% ahead of last year’s full-year total, and a recent customer survey recorded 98% satisfaction.
NDC is one example of how the landscape has changed. Fareteam’s NDC direct connections went live in June 2021 and has since recorded a four-year annual growth rate of 63%.
Group travel is another area where agents need support. In 2025, Fareteam has booked more than 275 groups and ticketed more than 7,000 passengers across sport, education, special interest and tours, involving more than 40 airlines. These are the kinds of bookings where service, accuracy and experience really matter.
For agents in Great Britain who sell long-haul flights, the opportunity is clear. Customers still want expert advice, competitive options and confidence that their travel is being handled properly. But agents do not have to carry every piece of complexity alone.
The future of flight booking is not technology replacing relationships. It is technology making relationships more effective. When agents have the right platform, the right fare access and the right expert support behind them, they are better placed to save time, protect margin and turn complex long-haul enquiries into profitable bookings.
Long-haul flights should be a strength for travel agents. With the right support, they can be exactly that.
