NDC API: airline-direct content, simplified.
NDC unlocks rich offers, branded fares, dynamic pricing, and ancillaries directly from airlines. Tripgic normalizes NDC content alongside GDS inventory so you never have to choose between coverage and modernity. NDC is one of three sources behind the Tripgic Flight API.
What is IATA NDC?
The New Distribution Capability (NDC) is an XML/JSON-based data exchange standard developed by IATA that enables airlines to distribute rich, differentiated content directly to travel sellers. Unlike traditional GDS distribution, which relies on standardized fare classes and limited attributes, NDC allows airlines to create custom offers with branded fares, dynamic pricing, bundled ancillaries, and rich media — the same experience they offer on their own websites.
Branded Fares
Airlines package their products into recognizable brands — Economy Light, Economy Flex, Business Saver — each with clearly defined inclusions. Your customers see what they're buying, not opaque fare classes.
Dynamic Pricing
Instead of pre-filed fares stored in a GDS, NDC enables airlines to compute prices in real-time based on demand, customer profile, and market conditions — giving you access to the most competitive rates.
Ancillary Services
Seat selection, extra baggage, priority boarding, lounge access, in-flight meals, Wi-Fi — all bookable at the point of sale. NDC bundles ancillaries into the offer, increasing your revenue per booking.
Rich Content
NDC carries product descriptions, images, cabin photos, and marketing text that airlines curate — enabling your platform to present airline products the way the airline intends.
Personalized Offers
Airlines can tailor offers based on loyalty status, corporate deals, or traveler profiles. NDC enables true one-to-one offer management — not one-size-fits-all published fares.
Content Parity
Many airlines now offer their best fares exclusively through NDC channels, surcharging or restricting GDS-only distributors. NDC access ensures you're never missing the lowest fare.
NDC-enabled airlines on Tripgic
Major carriers distributing rich NDC content through the Tripgic API. This list grows as more airlines adopt the standard.
Why NDC through Tripgic?
Every airline implements NDC differently. Tripgic normalizes the chaos into one clean API.
Blended Results
NDC and GDS results appear in a single response. Same JSON schema. Your UI doesn't need to know which source provided the fare.
Zero NDC Complexity
Each airline's NDC implementation is different — different XML versions, authentication, offer management flows. Tripgic abstracts all of it.
Better Fares, More Revenue
NDC-exclusive fares, bundled ancillaries, and airline-controlled pricing mean more competitive options and higher cart values for your platform.
Frequently asked questions
What is NDC and why does it matter?
NDC (New Distribution Capability) is an IATA data exchange standard that lets airlines distribute rich, differentiated content directly — branded fares, dynamic pricing, bundled ancillaries, and imagery — instead of the limited fare classes available through traditional GDS channels.
Which airlines offer NDC content through Tripgic?
Tripgic provides NDC content from major carriers including Lufthansa Group (LH, LX, OS, SN), British Airways, Air France-KLM, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and many more. The list grows as airlines adopt NDC.
Can I get both GDS and NDC results in one API call?
Yes. Tripgic blends NDC and GDS results into a single API response using the same normalized JSON schema. Your application does not need to know which source provided the fare.
Do NDC fares cost less than GDS fares?
Often yes. Many airlines now offer their best prices exclusively through NDC channels and apply GDS surcharges to traditional distribution. NDC access through Tripgic ensures you see the most competitive fares available.
Is NDC integration complex?
Directly, yes — every airline implements NDC differently with different XML versions, authentication flows, and offer management processes. Through Tripgic, NDC complexity is fully abstracted. You use the same API endpoint and schema as GDS content.
Is NDC replacing GDS?
Not fully. Airlines are moving more content — especially branded fares and ancillaries — to NDC, but GDS networks still carry interline, corporate-contract and long-tail inventory. Most OTAs need both, which is why Tripgic returns GDS, NDC and LCC fares in one normalized response.
Do I need my own NDC or GDS certification to use Tripgic?
No. Tripgic holds the airline NDC connections and GDS credentials. You integrate a single REST API with sandbox keys — there is no per-airline NDC certification, no separate GDS contract and no EDIFACT messaging on your side.
Go deeper in the Playbook
Airline NDC guides
Key dates, GDS surcharges, NDC-only fares and access options per airline: British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Riyadh Air, Saudia, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Finnair, Air India, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Malaysia Airlines.
- What is NDC?
IATA New Distribution Capability explained: offers, orders, branded fares and ancillaries.
- NDC vs GDS
Where each channel wins and why most OTAs run both.
- What is an NDC aggregator?
How aggregators remove per-airline certification and normalise NDC schemas.
- NDC API integration
Step-by-step integration flow from AirShopping to OrderCreate.
GDS + NDC. One integration.
Stop choosing between coverage and modernity. Tripgic gives you both — traditional GDS breadth and airline-direct NDC content, unified.