A complete guide to the DL command in Amadeus โ how to delete a segment with an inactive status code from a PNR after a flight status change or schedule-related update.
Not every segment in a PNR can be removed with a standard cancellation entry. Once a flight segment has been updated by the airline โ due to a schedule change, a flight cancellation, a missed connection, or a status change on the flight โ the segment may carry an inactive status code. In that state, the normal XE cancellation entry will not work. The DL command is the correct tool for this situation. It removes an itinerary segment when the segment has an inactive status code, allowing you to clean up the PNR and continue with rebooking, refunds, or reissues. This guide explains what DL does, the correct syntax, and when it should be used.
What Does the DL Command Do?
DL is the Amadeus GDS command used to delete a segment with an inactive status code.
Category: PNR Management.
It removes an itinerary segment from the PNR when the segment has an inactive status code. This makes DL the correct entry when a segment is no longer active but is still present in the booking and blocking further processing.
Because the segment is already inactive, DL simply clears it from the PNR. There is nothing to confirm with the airline, and no seat requests or other elements should be attached to an inactive segment.
Syntax & Example
Enter the command followed by the segment number:
DL7This deletes segment 7 when it has an inactive status code. The segment is removed from the itinerary and the PNR is updated accordingly.
When to Use DL
Use DL when you need to remove an inactive segment from a PNR after a flight status change or other schedule-related update. Typical scenarios include:
- A flight segment cancelled by the airline and now showing an inactive status.
- A schedule change that left an old segment in an unusable state.
- A missed connection where the flown segment has been marked inactive.
- An itinerary that has been rerouted and contains an inactive segment that must be cleared.
- A PNR where the standard cancellation entry (XE) is rejected because of the segment status.
- Cleaning up a booking before repricing, refunding, or reissuing the ticket.
How DL Relates to Other Segment Cancellation Commands
- DL โ deletes a segment with an inactive status code.
- XE โ cancels an active segment in the PNR.
- XI โ cancels the full itinerary, including MCO elements.
- SB โ modifies an existing segment without cancelling it.
- SS โ sells new segments from availability.
- SX โ cancels seat requests attached to segments.
The distinction matters: use XE for active segments you want to cancel, and DL when the system rejects the cancellation because the segment status is inactive.
How DL Fits Into Your PNR Management Workflow
A typical PNR cleanup session using DL might look like this:
- Retrieve the PNR and display the itinerary.
- Identify the segment carrying an inactive status code.
- Try the standard cancellation with
XEโ if the system rejects it, switch to DL. - Enter
DL7to delete the inactive segment. - Confirm the segment has been removed from the PNR.
- Continue with the original task โ rebooking, repricing, or processing a refund.
Important: DL is specifically for segments with an inactive status code. If the segment is still active, use XE instead โ DL will not work on a live segment.
Before deleting, confirm that no TST or seat requests are attached to the inactive segment. If a TST references the segment, you may need to delete the TST with TTE and reprice after the cleanup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DL do in Amadeus?
DL deletes a segment from the PNR when the segment has an inactive status code.
How is DL different from XE?
XE cancels an active segment. DL deletes a segment whose status is inactive. If XE is rejected, DL is usually the correct alternative.
Why is my segment showing an inactive status?
Usually because the flight was cancelled by the airline, the schedule was changed, the segment was flown and closed out, or the connection was missed. In these situations the system marks the segment inactive instead of removing it.
Can I use DL on multiple segments at once?
DL is typically used one segment at a time by specifying the segment number. Delete each inactive segment individually to avoid unintended removals.
Conclusion
The DL command is the correct entry for removing a segment from a PNR when the segment has an inactive status code. Use DL7 to delete segment 7 when it is inactive, and remember that DL is only for inactive segments โ active segments must be cancelled with XE instead. DL is essential after schedule changes, airline cancellations, missed connections, and rerouting, where inactive segments often remain in the PNR and block further processing. Before using DL, check for TSTs and seat requests attached to the affected segment and clear them if necessary with TTE and SX. Paired with XE, XI, SB, and RH, the DL command completes your PNR management toolkit and keeps every booking clean and ready for the next step.
