José María Alvarado
Chatham,USA
Summary
Commercial leader with robust and diverse experience in the travel and travel-technology industries. Known for driving revenue growth, spearheading transformative strategies, and pioneering distribution innovations including NDC and direct API integrations. Demonstrated success in optimizing large-scale operations, P&L ownership, and leading multicultural, cross-functional teams to achieve excellence.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President – Strategic Partnerships
Mondee Holdings, Inc.
08.2023 - 02.2025
- Tasked with developing a transformative supplier management strategy for Mondee Group, a leading travel technology and wholesale company in the Americas
- Led the seamless integration of corporate acquisitions across Mexico, Brazil, and the USA
- Strengthened strategic partnerships with GDS providers Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport to enhance distribution capabilities
- Established cross-functional teams to streamline content integrations and maximize operational synergies
- Designed and executed a comprehensive content acquisition strategy, optimizing sourcing decisions and expanding NDC, direct API connections, and third-party content
- Unlocked over $100M in new air content within newly acquired companies
- Generated an additional $1M in annual profits by optimizing payment process solutions
- Expanded the marketplace with five new low-cost carriers (LCCs) and secured access to over 80 new airline deals
- Improved pricing accuracy on e-commerce platforms, reducing errors by 90%
Chief Commercial Officer
Arajet Airlines
09.2022 - 04.2023
- Appointed to lead all commercial operations for Arajet, the first ultra-low-cost carrier in the Caribbean, backed by Bain Capital. Oversaw e-commerce, distribution, marketing, customer experience, and ancillary revenue streams
- Built and nurtured strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including airports, service providers, media outlets, and government agencies
- Developed and implemented a multi-channel marketing strategy, integrating digital and traditional media with a strong public relations focus
- Designed comprehensive branding guidelines, including social media strategies and visual identity frameworks, ensuring consistent brand representation across all platforms
- Led a full-scale UX/UI transformation of the e-commerce website to enhance the digital customer experience
- Successfully launched 17 new destinations across 11 countries, expanding market reach
- Doubled website traffic and conversion rates, achieving a 60% upsell from basic fares
- Forged distribution partnerships in over 20 countries to expand sales channels
- Tripled passenger sales and increased load factors by 20 percentage points within six months
Executive Vice President, Suppliers and Content
Fareportal
09.2017 - 08.2022
- Hired to revamp a global team of SVPs, Directors, and support staff, strengthening partnerships across airlines, car rental companies, hotels, alternative accommodations, and activity providers to drive incremental revenue and optimize supplier relationships
- Led high-stakes negotiations with Global Distribution Systems (GDS), developing content acquisition strategies to boost profitability and improve the relevance of travel offerings
- Pioneered direct API and NDC integrations with major airlines, strengthening the product portfolio and enhancing competitiveness
- Directed product and technical teams in optimizing the booking engine and user flow, driving increased up-selling and ancillary revenue (e.g., seats, bags, upgrades, bundles, fintech)
- Increased average yield by 10% through improved attachment rates and strategic pricing initiatives
- Expanded dynamic package sales by 300%, significantly increasing revenue streams
- Secured over $9M in cost savings by renegotiating GDS agreements
- Negotiated a landmark five-year commercial agreement with two major airlines, ensuring full content access
- Led the Beta launch of NDC integrations with key carriers—including American, United, Air Canada, Spirit, and Hawaiian Airlines—positioning the company as one of the first OTAs to introduce NDC to the market
Director, Sales, Marketing, and Loyalty
ONEWORLD Airline Alliance
09.2011 - 07.2017
- Appointed to lead sales, marketing, and branding initiatives for the 13-member airline alliance, driving high-yield revenue growth, strengthening brand visibility, and enhancing customer satisfaction, as reflected in improved NPS and CSAT scores
- Developed and implemented a global corporate account acquisition strategy, streamlining coordination across all member airlines
- Designed an alliance-wide network-fit and fare-share model to maximize revenue potential
- Led the execution of multi-million-dollar global advertising and communications campaigns, expanding brand reach and engagement
- Conceptualized and launched the Alliance’s first-ever social media campaign, increasing digital presence and audience engagement
- Introduced the ‘oneworld Online Training Academy’ in seven languages to educate airline staff and travel agents on alliance benefits and the sale of Round-the-World fares, achieving over 9,000 registrations
Vice President USA and Canada
Iberia Airlines of Spain
06.1999 - 08.2011
- Led the North American division, overseeing a team of 300+ employees across commercial teams, call centers, passenger services, and cargo operations
- Held full P&L responsibility for a $300 million revenue budget, driving commercial strategy and revenue-generating activities for B2B, B2C, and Cargo sectors
- Restructured the sales organization to prioritize high-margin business, driving consistent revenue gains
- Renegotiated contracts post-9/11, restoring operational stability and commercial viability
- Represented Iberia in the Transatlantic Joint Business commercial working group with American Airlines and British Airways, collaborating to align and implement the commercial strategy for the alliance
Education
Master of Business Administration - Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Glendale, AZBachelor of Science - Business Administration and Finance
The American University, Kogod School of Business
Washington, D.C.Skills
- Executive leadership
- Revenue generation
- Business development
- Marketing expertise
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Profit and loss management
- Partnership development
- Product management
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Vice President – Strategic Partnerships
Mondee Holdings, Inc.
08.2023 - 02.2025
Chief Commercial Officer
Arajet Airlines
09.2022 - 04.2023
Executive Vice President, Suppliers and Content
Fareportal
09.2017 - 08.2022
Director, Sales, Marketing, and Loyalty
ONEWORLD Airline Alliance
09.2011 - 07.2017
Vice President USA and Canada
Iberia Airlines of Spain
06.1999 - 08.2011
Master of Business Administration - Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration and Finance
The American University, Kogod School of Business
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