Position Overview

As a key member of the Travel With Alan team, the Group Air Specialist will work in conjunction with our internal Air, Reservations, and Operations Team to collectively support the air efforts of our group leisure travel division. You will utilize your superior organization and project management skills to organize ensure the highest level of guest satisfaction through booking group air, managing group air arrivals/departures, handling schedule changes/deviations, and providing superior en route air support.

This role will work closely with Travel With Alan new and existing clients, air partners, and fellow Travel with Alan team members. This position will report to the Travel With Alan Manager, Group Reservations.

This position is hybrid, and the prospective candidate will ideally reside within commuting distance of Direct Travel’s Lynnwood office. 

Responsibilities

• Communicate with clients and internal teams regarding flight options, itinerary changes, deadlines, and travel policies, providing clear and timely updates
• Issue domestic and international air tickets for Travel With Alan leisure clients, leveraging Sabre ticketing, group ticketing, and cruise line air department ticketing
• Handle schedule changes and disruptions, working with airlines to rebook or reissue tickets when necessary and communicating changes to affected parties
• Exchange and void airline tickets using a GDS (e.g., Sabre), adhering to fare rules, penalties, and refund policies
• Organize group air arrival and departure information into spreadsheets, ensuring all clients are ticketed with air that aligns with department guidelines and budget for all tours
• Coordinate flights, seat assignments, and dietary/mobility requests with clients and airlines
• Facilitate schedule changes/equipment swaps/class of service changes, ensuring all clients arrive and depart within tour parameters, as established by management
• Initiate responses to time-sensitive requests and ensure responsible parties respond within established deadlines
• Support special projects as directed by the Manager, Group Reservations or Vice President, Cruise Programs

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of GDS experience, preferably with Sabre
• Air travel industry knowledge, including contracting, ticketing, and exchanging airline group blocks for both domestic and international travel
• Ability to manage responsibilities in a manner to result in lower costs and better efficiency for the company
• Proven experience with booking air for groups of 100+ passengers
• Outstanding knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; Excel. Outlook, Teams, and Word
• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) to interact with customers, employees, and travel providers
• Must remain organized and meticulously detail-oriented amid changing priorities and under strict deadlines
• Capability of working in a team environment supporting management and staff, providing feedback, and assisting in special projects
• Ability to exercise discretion while working with sensitive information, adhering to strict confidentiality guidelines
• Must be able to lawfully work within the U.S. and have unrestricted work authorization
• This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or efforts associated with the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, or related discipline
• 2+ years’ experience in travel agency employment
• Proven experience in coordinating group travel coordination
• Proficiency in Customer Relationship Management platform or Smartsheet