Amadeus SO Command: Create Open Flight Segment

A complete guide to the SO command in Amadeus — how to create an open flight segment when the exact flight date or flight number is not yet confirmed.

SO is the Amadeus GDS command used to create an open flight segment when the exact flight date or flight number is not yet confirmed.

Category: Open Segments.

It allows you to add an open segment to a PNR, either without a date or with a specific travel date.

An open segment records the route and the airline, but does not reserve a specific flight. The booking remains held, the fare can often be priced, and the passenger can later return to confirm the exact flight and date. When the details are known, the open segment is replaced with a confirmed flight segment or ticketed under the applicable conditions. For a related command that records a surface sector rather than an open flight, see the SI command.

Create an open segment from CFR to MUC with Lufthansa:

SOLHCFRAMUC

This creates an open segment from CFR (Caen) to MUC (Munich) with LH (Lufthansa), without a specific date. The route is recorded but the flight can be booked later.

Use this format when the passenger knows they want to travel between two cities but has not yet chosen the travel date. It is common for one-way return bookings, flexible travel, or when the customer needs time to decide.

Create an open segment from CDG to NCE with Air France for 5 August:

SOAFC5AUGCDGNCE

This creates an open segment from CDG (Paris Charles de Gaulle) to NCE (Nice) with AF (Air France) for 5 August. The date is recorded, but the specific flight is not yet reserved — the passenger can confirm the flight later.

Use this format when the travel date is known but the specific flight has not yet been chosen, or when a flight must be booked later due to schedule availability.

Use SO when the passenger’s route is known but the exact flight or travel details are not yet confirmed. Typical scenarios include:

• A one-way or return flight where the passenger has not yet chosen the date.
• A booking created in advance before the airline has published its schedule.
• An itinerary where the return flight will be confirmed later by the customer.
• A booking that needs to be priced and held while the customer decides on the date.
• A group booking where individual travel dates are still being finalised.
• A corporate booking where the return date depends on a business decision.
• A flexible itinerary where the passenger needs to keep the option open.

A typical session using SO might look like this:

• Retrieve or create the PNR with RT.
• Confirm the passenger’s route and airline preference with the customer.
• Enter SOLHCFRAMUC for an open segment without a date, or SOAFC5AUGCDGNCE with a specific date.
• Verify the open segment appears correctly with RTIM.
• Price the itinerary with FXP if the fare rule allows open segments.
• When the passenger confirms the travel details, sell the actual flight with SS and remove the open segment.
• Save each change with ER or ET.

• SO → creates an open flight segment without a confirmed flight or date.
• SS → sells confirmed flight segments from availability.
• SI → creates an ARNK or information segment, used for surface sectors and non-bookable flight details.
• AU → creates an air taxi auxiliary segment.
• HU → creates a hotel auxiliary segment.
• CU → creates a car rental auxiliary segment.
• RU → creates a memo auxiliary segment.
• XE → cancels individual PNR elements, including the open segment once the real flight has been booked.
• RH → displays the PNR history, including open segment activity.

The distinction matters: SS confirms a flight; SO records the route without confirming the flight; SI records surface sectors and information-only flights. Use SO when the route is known but the flight details are not yet chosen.

Important: Open segments are not confirmed bookings. They record the route for future reference, but they do not guarantee a seat on any specific flight. When the passenger confirms the travel details, the open segment must be replaced with a real booked segment.

Not every airline or fare allows open segments. Some fares require a fully confirmed itinerary, and pricing may fail if an open segment is present. Always reprice the itinerary with FXP after adding an open segment and confirm with the airline that the fare accepts it.

What does the SO command do in Amadeus?

SO creates an open flight segment in a PNR, recording the route and airline without confirming a specific flight or date.

What does SOLHCFRAMUC mean?

It creates an open segment from CFR (Caen) to MUC (Munich) with Lufthansa, without a specific travel date.

What does SOAFC5AUGCDGNCE mean?

It creates an open segment from CDG (Paris) to NCE (Nice) with Air France for 5 August. The date is recorded but the specific flight is not yet booked.

Does SO create a confirmed flight booking?

No. SO creates an open segment. Use SS to book a confirmed flight from availability.

How do I remove an open segment after booking the flight?

Cancel the open segment with XE once the confirmed segment has been sold with SS.

• SO command
• Amadeus SO
• open segment Amadeus
• open flight segment
• SOLHCFRAMUC
• SOAFC5AUGCDGNCE
• SS command
• SI command
• Amadeus PNR segments
• open segment booking