Many travel advisors have built profitable businesses around tours, cruises and sun packages. Yet the one component that carries almost every traveller from point A to point B is often left on the runway. Air.

Some advisors shy away from air because it can be complex or feel like a low-margin product. But within Envoyage, part of Flight Centre Travel Group, air has always been a strategic advantage, driven by decades of global airline relationships and in-house expertise that keep our members ahead of the curve.

“Air is the backbone of almost every trip, and when you control it, you control the itinerary,” says Ellen Lezcano, Owner of Atlas Travel Solutions. “It builds client loyalty, opens doors to higher value bookings and positions you as a true full-service advisor rather than someone who just books hotels.”

A powerhouse air program backed by one of the largest travel companies in the world

Envoyage members have access to an extensive portfolio of airline agreements, negotiated in-house by Flight Centre Travel Group. This ensures …

. Control over the air file stays with the advisor

. Less reliance on third-party consolidators

. Accountability and transparency

. Better terms and stronger service support

“When contracts are managed in-house, I know exactly who’s accountable,” Lezcano explains. “There’s no middle layer of uncertainty or waiting for someone else to chase the airline.”

Advisors can book air whichever way works best for their business: GDS users receive dedicated support from expert ticketing specialists and non-GDS users have access to a point-and-click booking platform with negotiated and commissionable fares that can be booked and sent for ticketing seamlessly within the system.

“Our goal is to give our advisors control over air and make it easy for them to book,” says Gail Banack, General Manager, Envoyage Canada. “When advisors have full access to preferred fares, technology to book easily and people who have their back, they unlock new revenue streams and retain more control of their clients’ journey.”

Because support matters when minutes count

For many advisors, Envoyage’s air support is the secret weapon that keeps complex or time-sensitive bookings running smoothly.

“Having access to Envoyage’s Air Support Team is imperative to my business,” says Envoyage travel advisor Roxy Rae. “It enables me to respond to clients needing exchanges within minutes. Without that level of support, the client experience would not be as seamless.”

Lezcano agrees. She recalls a recent situation when a client was delayed getting to the airport due to a serious accident on the road. The airline initially overcharged for a change based on a call centre error. Envoyage air specialist Nicole Anderson intervened, worked directly with the airline, and secured a refund.

“It turned what could have been a frustrating situation into one where they felt genuinely cared for,” says Lezcano. “It saved me time and reinforced trust in both me and Envoyage.”

Control the flight path, control the future

Maintaining ownership of the PNR isn’t just practical. It’s a loyalty machine.

“It means my clients never have to call an airline or a third-party number; they call me,” says Lezcano.

Rae sees it the same way. “My clients expect accuracy, speed, and proactive service. When I control the file, I resolve problems in real-time. It means fewer delays, fewer surprises, and a higher level of trust.”

Banack says that’s precisely why Envoyage continues to invest aggressively in air. “When advisors control air, they own the relationship. They protect the booking. That’s the foundation of client retention and business growth.”

The message is clear: Don’t ignore the gateway to bigger business

Whether booking a luxury safari, a destination wedding, or a multi-city corporate move, air is the first step that sets every other travel element in motion.

Advisors who hand that step away also hand away revenue, influence, and client loyalty. “I’d tell any advisor not to underestimate how much air can transform their business,” says Lezcano. “It’s one of the best ways to build trust and long-term loyalty because your clients see that you can handle every part of their travel from start to finish.”

Rae adds: “Air is not something to avoid, it’s something to leverage.”

Because at the end of the day, if you want to truly own the journey, you have to own the air.