If you are traveling by flight, the first thing you will need are tickets or reservations for your seats. A flight reservation agent is a professional who helps customers book flights on major airlines. When customers call to make reservations, they enter the destination and desired date and time into the airline’s computer system.
Flight reservation agents also handle key operations such as data collection, data entry, payment collection, verification, etc. Aspiring flight reservation agents often start by acquiring relevant education or training in hospitality, tourism, or a related field.
In this article, we will discuss how to become a flight reservation agent, your responsibilities, requirements, and salary.
What does a flight reservation agent do?
A flight reservation agent is a customer service position that assists people who are traveling by plane.
While one of their primary tasks is to sell tickets, other responsibilities include greeting passengers, making sure each reservation is valid, providing information about flights, and helping passengers as they are boarding a plane.
They may also help passengers check their baggage and choose or upgrade seats. A flight reservation agent also helps passengers change their reservations or book new flights if a cancellation occurs.
How to Become a Flight Reservation Agent
If you want to become a flight reservation agent, follow these six steps.
1. Identify the Skills
To become a flight reservation agent, you are required to possess some related skills.
Some of the flight reservation agent’s soft skills are:
- Communication Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Positive Attitude
- Patience
- Negotiation
- Teamwork
- Time Management Skills
- Organisational Skills
- Customer Management
Some of the hard skills of the flight reservation agent are:
- Safety Measures
- Sales of Tickets
- Reservations Agent Skills
- Consumer Assistance Skills
- Audio-Visual Systems Skills
- Seat Assignment Skills
- Global Distribution Systems (GDS)
2. Enroll in Formal training or course
If you want to become a flight reservation agent, you must have at least a 10+2 education.
A bachelor’s degree is not a compulsion in many cases, but a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism, business or marketing, or a related field can increase your chances of getting hired.
3. Build a Strong Resume
When you have pursued your degree or certification course, you can start creating a resume that will display your skills, education, and interests.
4. Gain Experience
To become a flight reservation agent, you must gain experience. You can apply for internship opportunities on various job portals such as Internshala, Naukri, Linkedin, Monster, Indeed, and Placement India.
Also, you can apply for a customer service representative or a sales agent in a travel agency job that will help you gain experience and knowledge in the travel industry and develop your communication and customer skills.
5. Get a license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
Flight reservation agents at airlines must obtain a license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to sell airline tickets.
The DGCA determines that you are required to pass to obtain the license. This exam tests your knowledge in the field of the airline industry, ticketing procedures, and reservation systems.
6. Apply for a Job and Begin your Career
Once you have passed the examination and received the license from the DGCA, you can begin finding jobs in the travel industry, such as with airlines and travel agencies. You can apply for jobs online or directly visit the travel agencies.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Flight Reservation Agent
The duties and responsibilities of flight reservation agents include;
- Customer Service: Greet passengers, assist with ticketing and check-in procedures, and provide friendly and informative customer service throughout their journey.
- Ticketing: Issue tickets, process reservations, and handle booking modifications while adhering to airline policies and procedures.
- Baggage Handling: Tag and check baggage, ensuring proper weight and compliance with security regulations.
- Boarding: Assist passengers with the boarding process, including verifying tickets and travel documents, managing boarding queues, and ensuring timely departures.
- Communication: Effectively communicate flight information, gate changes, delays, and other relevant updates to passengers.
- Payment Processing: Collect payments for excess baggage fees, ticket upgrades, and other charges, providing accurate receipts.
- Safety Compliance: Maintain a thorough understanding of safety and security regulations and ensure their implementation during passenger interactions.
- Problem Resolution: Address passenger concerns, resolve issues, and escalate complex problems to supervisors or management as needed.
- Administrative Tasks: Perform routine administrative duties such as data entry, filing, and record-keeping related to passenger transactions.
What are the requirements to become a flight reservation agent?
Here is a list of the major requirements and qualifications for aspiring flight reservation agents:
- High school diploma or equivalent; post-secondary education in travel and tourism is a plus.
- Previous customer service experience, preferably in the airline industry or a related field.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-centric approach.
- Attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in computer systems and reservation software.
- Knowledge of airline policies, procedures, and regulations is beneficial.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Professional appearance and demeanor with a commitment to providing exceptional service.
- Physical capability to lift and handle baggage as necessary.
- Willingness to undergo security clearance and background checks.
- Willingness to undergo security clearance and background checks.
What is the salary of a flight reservation agent?
As of January 13, 2024, the average hourly pay for a flight reservation agent in the United States is $16.10 an hour.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $20.43 and as low as $11.06, the majority of flight reservation agent wages currently range between $14.42 (25th percentile) and $17.31 (75th percentile) across the United States.
The average pay range varies greatly (by as much as $2.88), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Do flight reservation agents get free flights?
Flight reservation agents may receive certain flight benefits or discounts from the airline they work for, but the extent and availability of these benefits can vary widely depending on the airline and specific employment agreements.
These benefits may include free or discounted flights for themselves, family members, or travel companions, but there are often restrictions, blackout dates, and eligibility criteria that apply. It’s essential to check with the specific airline or employer for details on the flight benefits provided.
Conclusion
The role of a flight reservation agent is a captivating career choice for individuals passionate about customer service and travel logistics.
As the first point of contact for passengers, you will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and efficient check-in and boarding process. Your excellent customer service skills and attention to detail will contribute to a positive travel experience for our passengers.
