Travel Distribution System Using NDC and API Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airline distribution systems, such as GDS, are limited in presenting complete and attractive flight offers due to high costs for airlines, lack of flexibility, and inability to showcase additional airline values, leading to low-cost airlines opting out and customers facing incomplete flight information.
Innovation Solution
A travel distribution system utilizing New Distribution Capability (NDC) standards, Application Program Interface (API), and airline websites to aggregate flight information from multiple airlines, providing a comprehensive search platform that includes rich content and personalized offers, and allowing seamless migration between different protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GDS network is used for flight distribution, then automated transactions with multiple airlines are enabled, but transaction costs increase and low-cost airlines cannot participate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the flight distribution channel into multiple independent protocols (NDC, API, website, GDS), allowing selective connection to different airlines based on their preferred distribution method. This enables low-cost airlines to join via cheaper API or website channels while full-service airlines use NDC or GDS, reducing overall transaction costs while maintaining multi-airline capability
Solution Approach 2:
The travel distribution system implements multi-functionality by supporting multiple communication protocols (NDC, API, website, GDS) simultaneously. This universal approach allows the system to work with any airline regardless of their preferred distribution channel, enabling both cost-effective low-cost airline integration and comprehensive full-service airline support within a single platform
2Extent of automation
If GDS protocol is used, then automated booking transactions are achieved, but flexibility and ability to present airline-added values are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic protocol selection where the communication method adapts based on the airline's capabilities and the specific transaction requirements. For routine bookings, automated GDS transactions are used, while for transactions requiring airline-specific values or custom offers, the system dynamically switches to NDC, API, or website protocols that provide greater flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The travel distribution system acts as an intermediary layer between airlines and customers, supporting multiple protocols. This intermediary capability allows automated transactions to proceed through GDS when appropriate, while simultaneously enabling flexible presentation of airline-added values through NDC or API protocols when needed, without requiring airlines to change their systems
3Loss of information
If multiple search protocols are implemented, then complete flight information from all airlines is obtained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automatic protocol detection and selection. When a flight search is initiated, the system automatically determines which protocol to use for each airline based on pre-configured airline profiles, eliminating the need for manual protocol configuration and reducing operational complexity while maintaining information completeness
Data Source
AI summary
A travel distribution system can include searching for flights for airlines using new distribution capability (NDC) standards, global distribution system (GDS) network, or using Application program interface (API) or websites. Artificial intelligence can also be used to assist the search for best matching a customer's travel preference profile.