NDC is live in the U.S.: what you need to know

March 15, 2022

Last updated: March 25, 2022

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If the pandemic has taught us anything about retail, it is that there are still many ways to innovate to improve the customer experience.

If the pandemic has taught us anything about retail, it is that there are still many ways to innovate to improve the customer experience. Amazon raised the bar by making fresh groceries as accessible as any of its other products. Countless mom and pop shops finally moved away from their analog cash registers to touchless payment systems. And several hotels created a completely digital experience where guests can skip the front desk altogether. Even doctors and dentists abandoned their inefficient ways, saying goodbye to patient paperwork and hello to mobile forms (or no forms at all).

For the travel industry, the New Distribution Capability (NDC) XML standard is enabling opportunities for airlines and travel sellers to innovate in similar ways.Amadeus was the first travel technology provider in the world to launch an end-to-end NDC solution, and in January we became the first to launch in the United States. U.S.-based travel sellers are now starting their journeys to learning and experiencing how NDC-enabled content can help change their business.

Agents in the U.S. now join travel sellers in more than 60 countries using Amadeus Travel API (Web Services), Amadeus Selling Platform Connect and Amadeus Cytric Travel & Expense in having access to new and unique content, and perhaps more importantly, new avenues to engage with airlines to innovate together.As my colleague Joachim Raffin, NDC Program Leader – Retail, suggests in hisrecent blog ,if you’re a travel seller about to negotiate an NDC deal with an airline, you now have an opportunity to ask that airline, “How are you planning to use your new NDC superpowers to help me sell your product better?”

Our partnerAmerican Airlines has been a first mover in introducing offers specifically for agents with access to NDC content. Last year American announced its Corporate Experience elevated offer, which includes benefits like complimentary access to preferred seats and priority privileges for Business Extra travelers. American also introduced its "Main Plus" package for NDC-enabled channels, giving travelers access to preferred seats including Main Cabin Extra, an extra free checked bag and Group 5 boarding privileges.

In addition to American Airlines, U.S. travel sellers will be able to access NDC-enabled content from Singapore Airlines in the coming weeks. Across the world, NDC-enabled content is available from four of the world’s leading airlines – American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air France and KLM -- all pioneers in driving new traveler experiences. And in the coming months, our agency customers can expect to see NDC-enabled content from many more additional airlines such as United Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, LOT, Qantas and Qatar Airways are all slated to go live with their NDC-sourced content in Amadeus during the first half of this year.

NDC is live. Now what?

The travel shopping experience is now poised to rival that of any digital retailer – enabling travel sellers to access and help shape more tailored, richer airline offers enabled by NDC. We know that a big challenge for agents is having an easy way to see all the offers available for their customers, which is why we bring together all content – NDC and EDIFACT – into one platform based on open systems. This means that all types of content are available on any front-end solution, whether it be Amadeus Travel API (Web Services), Amadeus Selling Platform Connect and Amadeus Cytric Travel & Expense.

Each of these solutions shows all types of content in one display for easy comparison shopping and follow the preferred agency workflow. Say goodbye to toggling between screens! This is a significant advantage because it enhances productivity, ensures compliance with agency and corporate policy, and eliminates inefficient and costly use of human hours spent checking multiple sites and applications.

So, what’s the next step for travel sellers? Now is the time to start assessing your readiness for this new future. We have severalresources available to help determine what is needed, and we are here to answer questions and help you on this journey every step of the way. It’s also a good time to engage with airlines and learn more about their plans and ways you can collaborate.

U.S. adoption and beyond

In January, we were thrilled to be first to launch NDC-enabled content in the United States. Now is when the fun begins. Travel players have exciting opportunities to transform their businesses by leveraging the NDC XML standard to create new digital retailing capabilities and deliver unique and better customer experiences. This moment of launching NDC in the U.S. has been many years in the making – thanks to collaboration with IATA, airlines, travel agencies and many more industry partners. We are proud of the fact that we have helped shape the future of travel around the world and in the U.S. with a vision that technology is now making a reality.

As of today, Amadeus solutions are delivering NDC-enabled content to over 6,000 agencies in more than 60 countries with many more to come. We are fully committed to leading the industry forward and driving a new era of innovation in airline retailing together with you and all our partners. As we embark on this journey together, I have no doubt Amadeus is a partner of choice that will continue to innovate and help create better journeys.

Join us on thisNDC journeyand follow the progress around the world!

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