Qantas Distribution Platform Frequently Asked Questions
New Distribution Capability (NDC) is an industry initiative supported by IATA.
NDC is a new "standard" or common way of communicating between airlines and Technology Partners including: GDS's, travel agents, online booking tools, aggregators and new technology providers.
NDC uses a commonly known programming language known as 'XML' to transmit shopping and servicing requests. XML provides flexibility to meet the future needs of airline retailing.
More information on NDC can be found on IATA's website.
Qantas strongly believes in the benefits of NDC.
These benefits include:
- Enhanced capability of communication between all parties in the travel landscape using an industry standard
- Modern retailing capabilities for airlines in their indirect channels
- Improved airline capability to differentiate, and deliver new products to market
- Provision of rich and detailed content
- More efficient and innovative airline distribution
The Qantas Distribution Platform is being delivered in partnership with leading global travel technology company Farelogix Inc. and utilises IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard, and Application Program Interface (API) technology to:
- Communicate richer information about the Qantas experience at the point of sale
- Build and distribute new merchandising offers that leverage rich data
- Create a more transparent and personalised customer experience
- Enhance the selling experience for travel agencies
No. The Qantas Distribution Platform is IATA NDC@Scale certified and is designed to allow Technology Partners to develop a connection to our NDC XML API. The Qantas Distribution Platform does not have a customer-facing user interface.
Customer preferences are evolving, and Qantas has responded by investing in NDC to offer a wider range of products and more dynamic content, which adds value for both customers and travel agents.
The Qantas Distribution Platform improves the information that can be communicated between Qantas and Technology Partners, beyond price, schedule and availability, enabling a more personalised customer experience.
The Qantas Distribution Platform improves the functionality of indirect agent channels by more closely aligning them with the capabilities currently available via Qantas.com, making it easier for agents to sell Qantas products and provide a more seamless customer experience.
Qantas is taking a collaborative approach with major technology providers including the GDS’s.
Qantas is working closely with GDS’s on connecting to the Qantas Distribution Platform so that their subscribers (i.e. travel agencies) can seamlessly consume Qantas NDC content.
For information regarding how your business can access Qantas Distribution Platform content via GDS technology, or for information about GDS capabilities, planned release dates and technical roadmap, please contact your GDS directly.
Yes, Qantas Distribution Platform is certified to NDC@Scale, IATA's highest certification.
Farelogix Inc. is a market leading technology solutions provider to the airline industry, and the developer of the Qantas Distribution Platform.
More information about Farelogix can be found via their website.
Qantas’ Certifiedd Technology Partners (including travel agencies) can access Qantas Distribution Platform content by:
- Connecting their own technology into our NDC XML API or
- Connecting via an Certified Technology Partner
Connecting via NDC XML API
New Technology Partners wishing to connect into our NDC XML API are required to sign a Qantas Distribution Platform Access Agreement^, prior to being granted access to our test environment.
For more information on the terms of this Agreement, and connecting to the Qantas Distribution Platform, please register interest and a Qantas Representative will be in touch to organise an introductory call.
Connecting via an Certified Technology Partner
Travel Agencies wishing to access Qantas Distribution Platform must register for the Qantas Channel and nominate an Certified Technology Partner.
To learn more about the Qantas Channel and to register, please visit Qantas Agency Connect.
The current list of Qantas Certified Technology Partners includes:
- AARON GROUP
- Aeronology
- AirGateway
- Amadeus
- Clarity Travel Technology Solutions
- Duffel
- Mystifly
- Sabre
- Serko
- TPConnects
- Travelfusion
- Travelport
- Travelsky
- Verteil
For more detailed information about partner capabilities, planned release dates and technical roadmap, please contact our Certified Technology Partners directly.
Once a Qantas Distribution Platform Access Agreement is signed, our test environment will be made available for Certified Technology Partners to scope, develop and explore platform capability. Access to the test environment does not guarantee access to the Qantas Distribution Platform production environment or IATA NDC accreditation.
Any development costs associated with connecting to the Qantas Distribution Platform test environment, or to reach IATA NDC certification is to be borne solely by the Technology Partner.
New and existing travel agencies interested in becoming a Qantas Certified Technology Partner should register to connect with their own technology into our NDC XML API.
The Qantas Distribution Platform supports full "end to end" shopping, booking, and servicing capabilities for Certified Technology Partners globally. Private and published fares by POS will be available in markets serviced by Qantas and Qantas codeshare partners where Qantas is in the BSP POS market, (as per today).
The Qantas Distribution Platform supports sales reported through the BSP process and supports travel agencies with information required by typical mid and back office processes.
Visit News for the latest information on the Qantas Distribution Platform. Certified Technology Partners working with Qantas will be communicated to directly regarding new releases, content and functionality.