American Airlines announced in February 2024 that it would require travel agencies and online booking tools to connect directly to their channel or lose access to up to 50% of fares with travellers no longer receiving Advantage points on bookings. Many in the industry scrambled to meet AA’s target with constant cries of not being “NDC-ready.”
Gray Dawes has been presenting clients with NDC content for almost six years, and it was no surprise that we smashed American Airlines’ target of 30% for bookings made directly on their NDC channel in the US. In fact, we achieved nearly 45% by the airline’s May deadline!
As an early adopter of NDC, Gray Dawes is the largest adopter of British Airways NDC content and the second largest adopter of Lufthansa NDC content. We’re also making great strides with Air France KLM as more and more airlines adopt this modern retailing platform.
With no restrictions to a single GDS, we deliver content from recognised travel retailers, such as Expedia Group, Premier Inn and Booking.com, alongside direct connections to airlines, hotels and global rail suppliers And it’s all beautifully presented in our single booking tool YourTrip, no matter where in the world you are.
It’s what we call ‘𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓’. Empowering our clients with the freedom of choice, giving them everything they need to book better, spend less and travel smarter.
And we never hear “I can find it cheaper myself on the internet.”
Do you?
NEW DISTRIBUTION CAPABILITY (NDC)
Get access to a greater choice of enriched air content without the hassle of shopping around.
NDC was developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) back in October 2012, revolutionising the way in which air travel content was distributed and purchased. Gray Dawes were one of the early adopters of the standard. It allows us to put our customers at the very centre of the travel experience and saves them from the hassle of trawling through innumerable sources to find the air products they are looking for.
The numbers speak for themselves – 82% of fares are on routes flown by NDC airlines, and a third of what we sell is cheaper than a traditional TMC.
Average saving of short-haul NDC fares versus Non-NDC fares on flexible tickets
Average saving of short-haul NDC fares versus Non-NDC fares
%
The percentage of fares on routes flown by NDC participating airlines
Average saving of short-haul NDC fares versus Non-NDC fares on restricted tickets
Related Articles
Beyond the Boardroom
Unlocking the Future of Business Travel For too long, business travel has been misrepresented as the exclusive domain of C-Suite executives and international flights. But the Business Travel Association (BTA) saw a different picture emerging - one rooted in everyday...
How Do Gen Z Travel for Business?
As more and more members of Gen Z enter the workforce, businesses want to understand what makes them tick and tap into their potential as new employees and customers. For Gen Z, business travel isn’t just about meetings and clocking miles – it’s about purpose. In this blog, we explore how Gen Z might approach business travel differently from previous generations, what values influence their travel behaviours, and the key takeaways for travel managers and bookers looking to serve them better.
6 Signs You Need a TMC
As your company grows, so do the demands of managing business travel. What once worked for a small team can quickly become a logistical headache – missed savings, compliance gaps, and limited support for employees on the move. This article outlines six clear signs it’s time to partner with a TMC. From rising travel costs and missed duty of care obligations to the complexities of international expansion, we’ll explore how a TMC can bring structure, savings, and peace of mind to your business travel programme, so you can focus on growth while your TMC handles the rest.
LET’S TALK
Fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.