Delta Airlines has been lagging behind its competitors, American and United, in terms of NDC adoption. Although the airline plans to begin testing its NDC iteration with select partners later this year, it has been the slowest of the three network U.S. airlines to move forward with NDC implementation.
Sara Reid, Delta’s managing director of sales technology and global sales support, emphasized the importance of comprehensive servicing capabilities before implementing an NDC solution. The airline wants to ensure that servicing will be better than it is in the legacy Edifact world, addressing concerns raised by travel advisors about challenges servicing NDC-enabled airline tickets.
Delta intends to differentiate itself from American and United by not implementing a GDS surcharge or prematurely removing content from legacy Edifact technology systems. The airline has been engaging with travel agencies, OTAs, GDSs, and corporate clients to understand their needs and challenges thoroughly.
Reid mentioned that Delta has reached the limit of its merchandising capabilities using Edifact technology. In order to further evolve its fare product offerings within agency channels, the airline recognizes the need for an evolution to NDC. Delta plans to announce its NDC design partners in the upcoming week.
Overall, Delta Airlines is taking a cautious approach to NDC implementation to ensure that the transition is smooth and seamless for all stakeholders involved. By prioritizing extensive servicing capabilities and engaging with industry partners, Delta aims to elevate the corporate travel ecosystem while addressing the challenges associated with NDC adoption.