Johnny Thorsen’s Post

As we get ready to launch #NDC for an airline in Spain, could not be prouder to have some of my team (Lucia Sandin Celine Perdriau 🙏) involved in launching NDC at scale to both our customers and travel consultants around the world. Here’s a snapshot of the last couple of months:   ➡ New NDC airline activations in Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Denmark. ➡Enhanced trips / itinerary information for bookings and enriched booking data attributes such as exchange and ticketing. Data is the foundation of giving customers the information they need to make informed decisions. In the next few weeks, more enriched data will be available to American Express Global Business Travel Egencia customers as we continue to build on our data lake (see the comments for more in the data whitepaper that explains our approach to data that works for customers). Amex GBT has set the standard for the industry when it comes to business travel companies being ready for NDC and partnering with airlines to deliver a booking and servicing experience that meets the demands of customers and their users 👇

Complete Guide PDF: 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 !![PDF – Guide] An airline booking platform is a software application that enables airline customers to search for, select, and book flights. The platform may be offered by an airline directly to its customers, or it may be offered by a third-party provider. When an airline offers a booking platform directly to its customers, the platform is typically integrated with the airline’s reservation system. This enables the airline to offer a seamless booking experience to its customers, as well as to manage its inventory and pricing in real-time. 🔗𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: https://lnkd.in/eYjDeecV 🔸𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 The key restraints and challenges in Airline Booking Platform market include the need for airlines to have a comprehensive understanding of the distribution landscape, the need for seamless connectivity between various airline booking platforms, and the challenge of maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the distribution landscape, airlines need to have a clear understanding of the various types of distribution channels available to them, as well as the capabilities of each channel. This includes understanding the difference between direct and indirect distribution channels, and the various types of inventory that can be accessed through each channel. Additionally, airlines need to be aware of the various distribution fees that may be associated with each channel, and the impact that these fees can have on their overall profitability. In order to ensure seamless connectivity between various airline booking platforms, it is important for airlines to have a clear understanding of the various types of connectivity that are available. This includes understanding the difference between point-to-point and multi-point connectivity, as well as the various protocols that can be used to connect different platforms. Additionally, airlines need to be aware of the various data formats that are used by different booking platforms, and the impact that these formats can have on the overall booking process. 🔸𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 Amadeus IT Group (Spain),  Sabre Corporation (US),  Travelport Ltd. (UK),  Expedia Group (US),  Booking.com  (US),  KAYAK (US),  Skyscanner. (UK),  Google (US),  Kiwi (Czech Republic),  Hopper (US) #airlinebooking #traveltech #airlinetickets #onlinebooking #travelindustry #flightbookings #airlinemarket #travelplatform #airlinetechnology #airlinetrends #travelbookings #airlinereservations #airlinemarketing #airlineindustry #travelmanagement #airlineinnovation #airlinestrategy #travelbookingsystem #airlineanalytics #airlineoptimization #traveltechnology #airlineindustrynews #airlinebookingplatform #airlinemarketanalysis #airlineticketing #travelmanagementplatform

Ever since the official (and let’s just call it… abrupt) roll out of New Distribution Capability (NDC) fares in early 2023, there’s been an onslaught of updates… And more updates… And more updates… And of course, MORE UPDATES… Which have made it increasingly difficult to keep up in this ever-changing business travel landscape. No matter how overwhelming it might be, #teamgant knows just how important it is to stay in the loop on topics like this. Especially when NDC could provide significant cost savings for your organization. That’s why we’re committed to helping you #rethinkbusinesstravel and keep you informed on the latest developments as they become available – including everything from airline updates, to industry updates, to our own internal updates. As part of this commitment, we’ve compiled all the pertinent changes you should be aware of in our newest blog post. And trust us – you’re going to want to see this. Read it now at the link below: https://zurl.co/a8KI . . . . . #GantTravel #GantIsMyTMC #Business #Travel #BusinessTravel #Corporate #CorporateTravel #BlogPost #NewBlog #NDCUpdates #NewDistributionCapability #NDC #AirTravel #Airlines #TravelChallenges #TravelProgram #TravelSupport #MoreTravel #USTravel #InternationalTravel #BusySeason #TravelNews #TravelTrends #Trending #TravelTech #CorporateLife

Recently, DataArt and Cornerstone Information Systems conducted a New Distribution Capability (NDC) workshop with over 20 leaders from top travel management companies (TMCs), and leisure and online travel agencies (OTAs). Key Highlights: ◾NDC Adoption: About 75% reported NDC is less than 10% of transactions. Around 45% plan to increase NDC transactions beyond traditional GDS systems within six months. ◾Airlines’ NDC Maturity: Tye Radcliffe of Accelya Group noted airlines have advanced in NDC retailing, but post-ticketing servicing remains challenging. Lack of consistent use of NDC standards across airlines, and GDS adoption delays were major pain points. ◾Travel Managers' Response: Most prefer a slow approach due to servicing, duty of care, and refundability concerns. Increased NDC servicing costs might lead to fee hikes. ◾Fare Differentials: A study claimed NDC fares are cheaper 52% of the time, but participants were skeptical due to inconsistent comparisons and complex pricing models. ◾ Servicing Challenges: Uncertainty about NDC feasibility hampers strategy and operations. Issues include: - Book and hold capabilities with limitations - Order change notifications with uneven progress - Reporting, especially for duty of care, remains a major blocker - Unused ticket credits available for some airlines Despite the adoption challenges, the drive to modernize and innovate in the travel industry remains strong. #NDC #travelmanagement #innovation #travel https://lnkd.in/gpqFiqPh

Fragmentation in airline booking isn’t just frustrating; it’s costly. While NDC was created to simplify airline content access, 70% of business travellers report difficulties finding fares through preferred booking channels (BTN Europe). The result? Missed savings and wasted time. Navan’s new NDC integration with Iberia is part of a broader content strategy to address this challenge. Since launching in September, 51% of Iberia bookings are now NDC-enabled, offering a 7.5% overall savings opportunity and allowing 99.6% of bookings to be self-managed, directly by travellers. Beatriz Guillen, Global Sales Director at Iberia, said, “Our partnership with Navan means that even more customers will benefit from Iberia’s exclusive NDC content.” #Navan #NDC #BusinessTravel #Innovation https://t.ly/cF7ht

#SocialSaturday From Booking to Boarding: How Amadeus & Sabre GDS Streamline Travel Hello #LinkedIn Leaders, As a travel industry veteran with over a decade of experience, I've seen it all - from the rise of online booking engines to the evolution of global distribution systems (GDS). And let me tell you, the real magic happens behind the scenes with Amadeus and Sabre GDS. These two industry giants have been quietly revolutionizing the way we travel, making it faster, more efficient, and more personalized. But what exactly do they do, and how can they transform your travel business? Let's start with Amadeus : This Spanish powerhouse has been a game-changer in the travel tech space, offering a suite of solutions that streamline booking processes, provide real-time inventory management, and offer data-driven insights to help businesses make informed decisions. I've had the pleasure of working with Amadeus, and I can attest to its ability to automate tasks, reduce errors, and increase customer satisfaction. On the other hand, we have Sabre Corporation GDS, the American giant that's been a staple in the industry for decades. Sabre's strength lies in its ability to connect travel agents, airlines, and hotels seamlessly, offering a vast inventory of travel options and robust APIs for integrations. I've seen firsthand how Sabre's mobile solutions can empower travelers to book and manage their trips on-the-go. So, what's the secret to unlocking the full potential of Amadeus and Sabre GDS? It's all about leveraging their capabilities to create a personalized, seamless, and sustainable travel experience. The travel industry is evolving rapidly, and it's time to embrace the technology that's driving this change. Whether you're a travel agent, airline, or hotel, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve and offer your customers the best possible experience. #TravelTech #GDS #Amadeus #Sabre #TravelIndustry #DigitalTransformation #TravelSolutions #TravelInnovation

Since I first discovered the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and launched a modernization program in 2011 called New Distribution Capability (NDC), I've been fascinated by the dynamics among players across the travel distribution value chain. The most recent development, "Turkish Airlines goes dark in @Sabre", highlights the healthy tensions in their relationships 😅   👉 The situation: Turkish Airlines, one of the world's largest airlines, and Sabre, the second largest GDS, couldn't agree on commercial terms. As a result, Turkish flights are no longer displayed in Sabre's system. 🙈 👉 Sabre's position: Sabre still displays hundreds of other airlines and can offer itineraries between city pairs without Turkish Airlines. However travel agency using Sabre may face challenges as they expect to find all traditional airlines and may incur more manual work. 🤷♂️ 👉 Turkish Airlines' position: they continue selling tickets through direct channels and travel agencies connected with other GDSs. They may also offer content via a travel agent portal and NDC aggregators. 🙄 👉 NDC Aggregators: they may see an increase in bookings for an airline's content that is unavailable in a GDS, but don't know if this additional volume is sustainable or may eventually return to the GDS. 👉 Travel agents: Agents using multiple GDSs or content sources will be fine, but those relying uniquely on Sabre and needing Turkish flights will have to manage manual bookings until the situation is resolved - similar to booking low-cost carriers that are not available in GDSs 👉 Corporate travel buyers: clients expecting Turkish flights may be disappointed if their travel agency can't find a workaround. Travel agencies can opt for manual bookings or multi-GDS depending on their volumes. 👉 Travelers: last but not least, travelers who could benefit from an attractive itinerary or fare from Turkish Airlines may be upset if they can't access them, but they are unlikely to understand the real reasons why they can't. 🤔   In summary, "going dark" in a GDS does not sound as disruptive as in the past for any stakeholder in the value chain. I anticipate more "dark" situations like this one in the future. The next questions are: what happens when a significant portion of the GDS' airline content goes dark? what happens when an airline goes dark on 2 or 3 GDSs? Stay tuned! 🤗 #airlinedistribution #goingdark #NDC

📢 Driven by NDC, non-TMC airline bookings are soaring. This story by PhocusWire highlights Traxo's findings on NDC's impact on booking trends. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3LkNkAL #TravelTech #CorporateTravel #NDC #Traxo #Innovation #TravelIndustry

✈️ The future of airline bookings is here, and it's called NDC! Ever wondered how business travelers are revolutionizing their flight bookings? Gone are the days of relying solely on airline websites. Today, travel intermediaries like travel agencies (TMCs), corporate online booking tools (OBTs), and online travel agencies (OTAs) are leading the way. Traditionally, these intermediaries have used EDIFACT technology to access and book airfares. But the game is changing. Enter New Distribution Capability (NDC), a standard that allows airlines to offer fares directly through APIs. This means more direct connections between airlines and intermediaries, providing more flexibility and efficiency in booking flights. Some airlines are even moving exclusive fares to these new channels, pushing for broader adoption of NDC APIs. NDC adoption is on the rise, with major airlines leading the way: • American Airlines: Removed 40% of its domestic fares from EDIFACT-powered channels in April 2023, now available only through direct or NDC-enabled channels. • Air France-KLM: Plans to have 90% of their indirect sales through NDC channels by 2027. • Finnair: Will end indirect ticket sales via EDIFACT channels entirely by 2025. These shifts mark a significant transformation in how we book and manage business travel. NDC allows for more personalized offers, greater transparency, and better traveler experiences. At Traivel, we’re excited about these advancements. Our goal is to leverage NDC to simplify business travel, making it easier and more efficient for you to book flights, manage itineraries, and stay productive on the go. Sources: GBTA, IATA #NDC #TravelTech #Innovation #BusinessTravel #AirlineBookings #TravelIndustry #FutureOfTravel

PLAY Airlines expands network with Dohop and new airline partner easyJet PLAY Airlines is excited to announce the expansion of its PLAY Connect platform with the addition of easyJet, made possible through Dohop's alternative interlining technology. The new partnership with easyJet, Dohop’s first airline partner, reflects PLAY's ongoing commitment to broadening travel options for its customers by providing seamless access to a wider range of destinations across Europe and beyond. With easyJet joining the platform, PLAY Connect now offers travellers more than 350 unique city pairs. By adding these journeys to its own alternative interline platform, PLAY Airlines is making it easier than ever for customers to book connected flights. Alternative interlining is a transformative approach in today’s airline industry, enabling carriers like PLAY to offer more flexible and diverse travel options without the need for traditional interline agreements. By leveraging Dohop's technology, PLAY Connect can provide customers with a broader array of destinations and a more streamlined booking experience, enhancing customer satisfaction and meeting the growing demand for unique travel itineraries. The addition of easyJet to PLAY Connect marks a significant step towards PLAY Airlines' ambition to create a gateway for both Icelandic and international customers. PLAY Connect can now offer an even wider selection of global origins and destinations, extending far beyond its own network. "With Dohop's alternative interlining technology, we are not just expanding our network; we're transforming the way our customers travel," said Tatiana Shirokova, Head of Distribution at PLAY Airlines. "The inclusion of easyJet into PLAY Connect allows us to provide an extensive range of destinations while ensuring a seamless and cost-effective travel experience." Dawn Hardwick, easyJet’s Global Lead Strategic Airline Partnerships and Connectivity, comments “At easyJet we’re committed to making travel as easy as possible as well as providing great value and more choice for our customers when they fly with us so we are delighted to be on Play Connect’s platform. With our strong presence at Europe's leading airports we are now able to offer connecting passengers on Play Airlines greater access to our route network connecting Europe's primary airports with great value fares and friendly service.” PLAY Airlines envisions PLAY Connect as a pivotal platform in the airline industry, offering travellers an unparalleled range of travel options at a fraction of the usual cost. #PLAYAirlines #PLAYConnect #easyJet