Company Introduction
WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.
Job Description
WorldStrides is a leading educational travel organization, taking students on learning journeys around the world. As Air Operations Coordinator, you'll join our Higher Education Flights team in Mérida (hybrid), managing group flight reservations from quote to departure for university programs. Working in Amadeus and our internal systems, you'll book, name and track airline contracts with carriers worldwide, monitor deadlines and schedule changes, and keep every record accurate. This is a non-customer-facing role, working in English with airlines and our Account Management team, on a stable, long-tenured team that invests in cross-training you across the Flights department.
Responsibilities
- Create, manage and modify group airline reservations end to end (quoting, booking, naming, ticketing handoff and follow-up through departure) via airline group desks, booking portals and the GDS (Amadeus).
- Track and meet airline contract, deposit, naming and ticketing deadlines to avoid penalties on multi-million-dollar contracts.
- Monitor reservations for schedule changes, cancellations and disruptions, and process and communicate updates in the GDS, CRM and to internal teams.
- Coordinate directly with airline group departments and reservation teams by phone and email to secure bookings, confirm details and resolve issues.
- Partner with Account Managers to confirm flight requests and support pricing and quoting, researching fares, taxes, airline policies and inventory to find the best rate and routing.
- Build and maintain passive air records and itineraries in the GDS, and manage and audit airline queues.
- Enter, update and reconcile booking, traveler, ticketing and itinerary data across the GDS, CRM and internal databases, performing quality control reviews.
- Process airline deposits, deposit refund requests and contract filing, and help monitor airline spend and inventory commitments.
- Support flight-related incident resolution with Operations and Program Management during active travel periods.
- Prepare booking status updates and operational reports as requested.
- Cross-train into the K-12 International flights role and support the wider Flights team, taking on additional projects and responsibilities as the team needs.
Qualifications
- Advanced English, written and verbal (all communication with airlines and internal teams is in English).
- Experience with a Global Distribution System (GDS), Amadeus strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of geography, airport codes and the phonetic (NATO) alphabet.
- Knowledge of the airline industry; experience booking group or individual airline reservations through carrier websites, portals or agency tools is a plus.
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record management.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines under pressure.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proactive communicator: comfortable asking questions, flagging issues early and keeping stakeholders informed.
- Flexible and team-oriented: willing to take on added responsibilities and support the team wherever needed.
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Quick learner, comfortable working across multiple systems, CRMs and databases.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel.
- Familiarity with airline contracting, group travel operations and airline policies (preferred).
- Previous experience in aviation, travel operations or customer service (preferred).
- Spanish is a plus.
- Interest in building a long-term career in the airline, aviation or travel industry.
- Based in or able to commute to Mérida, Yucatán (hybrid).
Work Perks
- Fun & driven environment.
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance.
- +10% of gross salary as food stamps.
- 1 paid volunteer day & 25 PTO* days to start – accrue up to 28 over 3 years, 4 mental health days, and 5 bereavement days.
- Statutory Holidays by Mexican Federal Labor Law.
- Flexible work schedule providing on-site and hybrid opportunities.
- Encouraged participation in our Employee Resource Groups and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion council.
- Fitness opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid statutory parental leave
WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.