Delta recently announced new distribution agreements with the three major Global Distribution Systems (GDS), ensuring that travel advisors will have access to full content without any additional surcharges on legacy systems. This move by Delta is aimed at providing better options and convenience for travel advisors when booking Delta flights for their clients.
During the Delta Business Showcase, senior vice president of global sales Bob Somers revealed that Delta has completed multi-year agreements with two out of the three GDSs and is close to finalizing the third one. While one of the completed agreements is with Sabre, the airline has not disclosed whether the other one is with Travelport or Amadeus. These agreements include a full-content commitment across all channels and pave the way for further display enhancements on GDS-owned platforms.
Somers emphasized that the new agreements will adhere to Delta’s value-based approach to compensating GDSs, which involves scaled payments based on the value of each booking. This strategy aims to drive higher-revenue bookings, encouraging the GDSs to invest in merchandising platform improvements, including enhancements to legacy displays and the development of New Distribution Capability (NDC) platforms.
Delta’s managing director of sales technology and global sales support, Sara Reid, provided an update on Delta’s NDC development during the Business Showcase. The airline expects to have a basic selling solution connected with technology partners like Google, Accelya, ARC, and IATA by the end of the year. Delta plans to commence testing a basic NDC selling and servicing solution with select agency partners in the following year.
Reid emphasized that agencies will have the flexibility to adopt Delta’s NDC solution at their own pace or continue booking Delta flights through legacy GDS systems. This approach allows agencies to be in control of when they are ready to transition to the new platform. To assist interested agencies in the transition process, Delta has established an NDC consulting team that can offer personalized guidance and education.
Delta’s new distribution agreements with the major GDSs represent a significant step forward for travel advisors. The enhanced content accessibility, value-based approach to compensating GDSs, and ongoing NDC development will ultimately benefit both travel advisors and their clients by providing more options and flexibility in booking Delta flights.
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