Amadeus SS Command: Sell Flight Segments Guide

A complete guide to the SS command in Amadeus — how to sell flight segments from an availability or schedule display, including long sell entries, waitlist, frequent flyer, unaccompanied minor, and special-service passengers.

Building an itinerary begins with selling flight segments. Every booking in Amadeus starts when a seat is confirmed on a specific flight, in a specific class, for a specific passenger. The SS command is the Amadeus entry that performs this. It confirms and sells seats from an availability or schedule display, and it also supports long sell entries when the flight is not displayed. Beyond standard bookings, SS handles connecting flights, waitlist segments, frequent flyer passengers, unaccompanied minors, and special-service travellers such as stretcher passengers. This guide walks through each major SS variation with a working example.

What Does the SS Command Do?

SS is the Amadeus GDS command used to sell flight segments from an availability or schedule display, including connecting flights, waitlist, frequent flyer, unaccompanied minor, and special-service passengers.

Category: Flight Segment Sell.

The SS command confirms and sells seats from an availability or schedule display. It can also be used for long sell entries when the flight is not displayed.

There are two families of SS entry: the short sell, which refers to a line number on the availability display, and the long sell, which specifies the full flight details directly. Both produce the same result — a confirmed (or waitlisted) segment in the PNR. For bookings that include surface sectors rather than flights, use the SI command, and for open segments where the flight is not yet confirmed, use the SO command.

Short Sell

Short sell for a non-stop, direct, or connecting flight:

SS1C3

This sells one seat in class C from line 3 of the availability display.

Short sell for a connecting flight in different classes:

SS1MC1

Short sell for a multiple connecting flight in different classes:

SS1MCM1

Short sell the same class from a dual-city pair availability display:

SS1C1*11

Short sell different classes from a dual-city pair availability display:

SS1C1*Y11

The *11 option refers to the second city pair on a dual-city availability display, so you can sell different classes for the outbound and return legs of a round-trip in one entry.

Special Passenger Types

Short sell for an unaccompanied minor:

SS1C1/UM6

Short sell for an unaccompanied minor from a dual-city display:

SS1C1/UM6*11/UM6

Short sell for a frequent flyer:

SS1C1/FF

Short sell a waitlist segment:

SS1F3/PE

Short sell for a stretcher passenger:

SS2C2/ST

Special passenger types are indicated with options at the end of the SS entry. This ensures the airline knows the type of traveller being booked and can apply the correct handling.

Long Sell

Long sell a flight segment:

SSLH131C23SEPMUCFRA1

Long sell an unaccompanied minor:

SSBA246C19JUNNLGWMADUM1/5

Long sell a frequent flyer:

SSAF882C19DECORYLHRFF1

Long sell a stretcher passenger:

SSAF808Y18MAYCDGLHRST2

Long sell a waitlist segment:

SSIB5110F22SEPMADFRAPE2

Long sell entries include the airline code, flight number, booking class, date, route, passenger type option, and the number of seats required — giving you full control when the flight is not visible on an availability display.

When to Use SS

Use SS when you need to sell and add a flight segment to a PNR, either directly from an availability display (short sell) or by entering the complete flight details (long sell). Typical scenarios include:

Booking a standard confirmed flight from availability.
Selling connecting flights where the classes differ between legs.
Booking a round-trip from a dual-city pair availability display.
Adding a waitlisted segment when the flight is full.
Booking an unaccompanied minor, frequent flyer, or stretcher passenger.
Selling a flight that is not shown on the display using a long sell entry.
Adding a segment for a corporate or group booking with specific passenger types.

How SS Fits Into Your PNR Management Workflow

A typical booking session using SS might look like this:

Create the PNR and add the passengers with NM.
Display availability for the desired route using the AN command.
Sell the flight with SS1C3 for a short sell, or SSLH131C23SEPMUCFRA1 for a long sell.
Add the appropriate passenger type option for special travellers with /UM6, /FF, or /ST.
Verify the segment appears correctly with RTIM.
Add contact details with AP, ticketing arrangement with TK, and any SSRs with SR.
Price the itinerary with FXP and continue to ticketing.
Save the PNR with ER or ET.

How SS Relates to Other Segment Commands

SS → sells confirmed or waitlisted flight segments from availability or long sell.
SO → creates an open segment when the flight or date is not confirmed.
SI → creates an ARNK or information segment for surface sectors or non-bookable flights.
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.
SB → modifies an existing segment (class, date, airline, flight number).
XE → cancels segments or other PNR elements.
RH → displays the PNR history, including segment sales.

The distinction matters: SS sells a live flight segment; SO records the route without confirming the flight; SI records surface sectors and non-bookable flights; SB modifies an existing segment. Choose the command that matches the state of the booking.

Important: The SS command creates confirmed or waitlisted segments that affect the fare, the ticketing arrangement, and the airline’s inventory. Always confirm the flight, date, class, and passenger type with the customer before selling, and verify the segment with RTIM after selling.

Some passenger types — such as unaccompanied minors and stretcher passengers — require special handling, additional documentation, or airline approval. Always confirm the airline’s policy before selling these segments, and add the corresponding SSR to the PNR.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the SS command do in Amadeus?

SS sells confirmed or waitlisted flight segments from an availability display, or via a long sell entry when the flight is not displayed.

What does SS1C3 mean?

It is a short sell for one seat in class C from line 3 of the availability display.

How do I book an unaccompanied minor?

Use SS1C1/UM6 for a short sell, or SSBA246C19JUNNLGWMADUM1/5 for a long sell. Always add the corresponding SSR to the PNR.

What is the difference between short sell and long sell?

A short sell refers to a line number on the availability display. A long sell specifies the full flight details directly and is used when the flight is not displayed.

How is SS different from SO?

SO creates an open segment when the flight or date is not confirmed. SS sells a confirmed or waitlisted flight segment.

Conclusion

The SS command is the flight segment sell tool in Amadeus. Use SS1C3 for a standard short sell, SS1MC1 or SS1C1*Y11 for connecting and dual-city pair bookings, and SS1C1/UM6, /FF, or /ST for special passenger types. When the flight is not displayed, use the long sell format such as SSLH131C23SEPMUCFRA1 to enter the full flight details directly. SS is the foundation of every booking, and getting the segment correct at this stage ensures the fare, ticketing, and passenger handling all proceed smoothly. Paired with SO for open segments, SI for ARNK and information segments, SB for segment modifications, SR for SSRs, and RTIM for itinerary review, the SS command completes your flight booking toolkit and keeps every itinerary accurate from the first segment to the final ticket.