New Distribution Capability (NDC)
New Distribution Capability, or NDC, is an IATA data-exchange standard designed to support airline offers and orders between airlines and travel sellers.
New Distribution Capability (NDC) guide
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NDC corporate travel: assess airline retailing readiness
IATA describes NDC as a data-exchange format based on airline Offer and Order management processes.
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IATA’s New Distribution Capability programme supports development and adoption of an XML-based data transmission standard.[1] The standard enhances communication between airlines and travel agents and is open to third parties, intermediaries, technology providers and non-IATA members.[1] For a corporate programme review, use IATA’s Offer and Order framework to organise questions about the complete retailing process.[1] Keep the discussion focused on documented interactions rather than a technology label alone.[1]
Structure the review around four retailing interactions
IATA’s NDC fact sheet describes an API-based communication standard through which sellers interact with airlines to shop, order, pay and service products and services.[2] It identifies shopping and offer distribution, order creation, order servicing and cancellation, and payments and refunds as supported interactions.[2] Use those four areas as separate headings in a supplier review rather than concentrating only on the initial offer display.[2]
The fact sheet places servicing and cancellation within the Offer and Order interaction framework, alongside payments and refunds.[2] Ask for a separate explanation of each of those interactions in the proposed arrangement.[2] Include the post-order stages in your review brief, using IATA’s categories to define the questions you want answered.[2]
Assess the information behind an offer
IATA identifies product differentiation, access to rich airline content and a transparent shopping experience as objectives of NDC.[2] Its fact sheet describes comparison based on product and service rather than price alone.[2] Frame an offer review around the product information presented and the proposed comparison process, not simply a headline fare figure.[2]
The fact sheet describes airline product portfolios as including ancillary products and promotional fares.[2] It also describes richer presentation using photographs and videos and expanded information about product attributes, facilities and policies.[2] Use those information categories to ask what a demonstration will show and which details the corporate buyer should examine.[2]
Separate capability recognition from a general standard
IATA’s Airline Retailing Maturity index recognises companies progressing towards Modern Airline Retailing using Offers and Orders based on its Enhanced and Simplified Distribution standards.[2] The fact sheet identifies NDC and ONE Order within that standards context.[2] It states that companies are published in the ARM index registry with their validated capabilities.[2] Use the validated capabilities as the focus of a recognition discussion rather than treating a broad programme reference as the entire assessment.[2]
IATA describes adoption of NDC as voluntary and open.[2] Its fact sheet leaves each airline responsible for assessing adoption opportunities and deciding its own timelines.[2] Ask for the airline-specific adoption context in a proposal and distinguish that discussion from an explanation of the standard’s general scope.[2]
Treat standards development as part of the review
IATA states that NDC messages are governed by the Shop-Order Standards Board under the Passenger Standards Conference and managed by specialised industry groups.[1] It identifies Offer, Order and Customer Payment groups as responsible for maintaining and improving the standard with each release.[1] Include the standard and message context in technical discussions rather than treating NDC as an unchanging specification.[1]
The fact sheet describes NDC as a component of Modern Airline Retailing and discusses newer schemas supporting the transition to Offers and Orders.[2] It also states that IATA will not prescribe a specific adoption course for each airline.[2] Separate the wider retailing direction from the individual airline’s adoption decision when reviewing a proposed transition.[2]
NDC corporate travel: assess airline retailing readiness: topic guides
NDC corporate travel: assess airline retailing readiness: questions answered
What should a corporate NDC review cover beyond shopping?
IATA’s fact sheet includes order creation, order servicing and cancellation, and payments and refunds alongside shopping and offer distribution.[2] Use those categories to request a lifecycle explanation.[2] Ask for the post-order interactions to be discussed separately, rather than making the offer presentation the sole subject of the review.[2]
How does IATA describe the intended shopping experience?
IATA presents transparent shopping and access to rich airline content as intended benefits of NDC.[2] Its fact sheet describes comparison by product and service rather than price alone, with airline portfolios including ancillaries and promotional fares.[2] Use those categories when asking what information a proposed offer presentation will contain.[2]
Does IATA set one adoption timetable for all airlines?
IATA’s fact sheet says each airline remains responsible for assessing the opportunity to adopt NDC and deciding its best timelines.[2] It says IATA will accompany willing airlines rather than prescribe a specific course of action.[2] Ask for the individual airline’s transition context alongside any explanation of the wider retailing framework.[2]
Sources for NDC corporate travel: assess airline retailing readiness
[1] IATA — Distribution with Offers & Orders (NDC)
[2] Distribution with Offers and Orders (NDC) Fact Sheet — June 2026