Travel Technology Specification
What is NDC?
New Distribution Capability
Definition: An XML/JSON-based data transmission standard developed by IATA that enables airlines to distribute rich content, personalized offers, and dynamic ancillaries directly to travel sellers without legacy GDS EDIFACT constraints.
Simple Explanation
Traditionally, airlines could only sell seats through travel agents as basic commodity letters (e.g. 'Y class'). NDC allows airlines to sell bundled fares, baggage, Wi-Fi, and personalized upgrades just like they do on their own websites.
Technical & Protocol Spec
NDC replaces 1980s EDIFACT message pairs with modern XML schemas (and newer JSON APIs). It shifts the pricing and merchandising logic from the GDS back into the airline's Offer and Order Management System (OOMS). Common endpoints include AirShopping, OfferPrice, and OrderCreate.
Production Example in Flight Operations
American Airlines or Lufthansa displaying differentiated baggage packages, lounge access, and seat selection directly within a corporate booking tool via an NDC API feed.
Key Technical Takeaways
- Standardized by IATA to bypass legacy EDIFACT restrictions
- Enables rich merchandising: seat selection, baggage bundles, Wi-Fi
- Places offer creation and dynamic pricing directly in airline control