notitur.com August 24, 2026

Distribution

NDC

New Distribution Capability is an IATA standard that lets airlines sell through third parties with the same richness as on their own site. It allows personalized fares, seats and extras that the legacy GDS handled poorly. It aims to modernize airline distribution.

Example With NDC, an agency can offer the same bag and seat bundle a customer sees on the airline's own site.

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FAQ

What is NDC in the travel industry?
NDC (New Distribution Capability) is an IATA standard that allows airlines to sell their products through external channels with the same richness as on their own website. For example, it can include personalized fares, seat selection, and ancillary services that traditional GDS systems handled poorly.
How does NDC work?
NDC works through an XML-based API protocol that connects the airline's system directly to travel agencies or online platforms. Instead of using limited codes like in legacy GDS, it sends real-time offers with details such as checked baggage included or the applicable fare type.
What is NDC used for and how is it different from a traditional GDS?
NDC is used to let airlines offer more complete and personalized content outside their own site, while a traditional GDS only shows basic flight options without extras or dynamic pricing. For instance, with NDC an agency can sell a ticket that includes a checked bag and lounge access, which legacy GDS could not support.

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