Air travellers would welcome the “richer” travel shopping experience that would be enabled by the New Distribution Capability (NDC) for the sale of airline products, a new study has found.
The research by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) saw participants shown examples of how the NDC could be used to support the process of shopping for air travel online, with enhancements including more information about airline products and service options as well as product images and comparisons between airlines.
“When presented with the opportunity, air travellers welcome the comprehensive shopping information and graphic visual displays that the NDC Standard enables,” IATA senior vice president financial and distribution services Aleks Popovich said.
“A substantial majority also look forward to the opportunity to be recognized and to receive personalised offers.”
The key findings of the consumer study were:
- More than 75% of air travellers said the NDC-based display would make it easier to compare flights and prices and understand the true cost of their flight, compared to how they shop and book travel online today
- More than 70% of business fliers and 65% of leisure travellers would be more likely to purchase optional airline services if presented with information about the services in an NDC-based display
- 63% of business travellers and 69% of leisure travellers would find it helpful to receive timely promotional offers via text message
- 68% of business passengers and 64% of leisure passengers would be comfortable with an airline or travel agent informing them about the availability of optional products based on previous purchase data
