British Airways Updates its NDC Platform

British Airways announced that it is updating its New Distribution Capability (NDC) platform, to help enable agents to better integrate and manage its NDC in the operational environment.

The airline’s proposed NDC enhancements will strengthen the platform by expanding short-haul and long-haul price points across more routes, accelerate benefits available to clients who book through NDC-enabled travel agents, and provide agents with access to full servicing prior to ticketing.

“These enhancements demonstrate our commitment to delivering more choice and value to customers and trade partners,” said Rogier van Enk, head of distribution, for British Airways. “It’s just the beginning of our 2020 distribution strategy, and we will continue to listen and collaborate with our agency partners as we expand our New Distribution Capability offering. If there is ever a time for trade partners to join us on this journey, it’s now.”

When the platform update takes effect at the end of March, travel agents will be able to accept or search between different flight options, without the need to contact a call center as long as they’re connected to the NDC.

The platform will now also include full servicing prior to ticketing for agents who offer their customers a delay between booking and ticketing, giving agents the ability to change dates and times for held bookings.

The airline is also expanding its long-haul additional price points across more routes and introducing extra price points on short-haul. The lowest three Short Haul Basic inventories will now only be available through NDC and direct channels for customers starting their journeys from the UK.

The additional price points and Short Haul Basic content will be available through any trade partner connected to British Airways’ New Distribution Capability (NDC) APIs and through the airlines’ direct channels.