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Introduced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) back in 2012, it’s been hyped, tested, misunderstood – and remained just vague enough to keep most people guessing.
In Navigating NDC, we laid the groundwork: what it is, how it works, and the early challenges – from content fragmentation to tech integration chaos.
This piece goes deeper.
Because from 1 July, things get real in Australia. Qantas is prioritising NDC content, and with that comes change: new pricing structures, new system behaviours, and yes, a few early wins (we’ve seen them in testing).
But also – as with any big shift – a few growing pains.
This isn’t another rehash of the basics. It’s a practical guide to what’s actually changing, how it could affect your program, and how to make the most of what’s coming – with the right support in place.
What’s Actually Happening from July 1, 2025?
For decades, the Global Distribution System (GDS) has been the quiet workhorse behind most flight bookings – connecting agencies to fares, schedules and availability through centralised, legacy tech.
But from 1 July, Qantas is shaking things up.
NDC becomes their default method of content distribution in Australia, bypassing the GDS and moving toward direct connections.
This shift introduces two major changes:
- A new surcharge: A new fee hits traditional (EDIFACT) bookings. From 1 July, Qantas will charge from* $11.50 +GST per flight segment for EDIFACT bookings – on top of any fare differences.
- All or nothing content (for now): With Qantas, it’s either NDC content or traditional fares – you can’t mix both in a single booking. Online Booking Tools (OBT) Serko is expected to support mixed content by 31 December 2025, while Concur’s timeline is still to be confirmed.
We’re seeing promising signs in testing – more intuitive displays, point-of-sale discounts and richer content. But as with all change, it’s rarely linear.
With NDC, the learning curve tends to come first – the savings follow.
The Ripple Effects: What Might Shift First
NDC is already reshaping how travel is booked, priced and serviced – and while it’s not all smooth sailing, it’s not all bad either. These early shifts are part of a broader move toward more dynamic, personalised travel retailing.
But as with any change, there are quirks worth knowing about – and they’ll be felt at every level of a travel program.
Tech Growing Pains: What the Systems Can’t Quite Handle (Yet)
- Evolving OBT performance: OBTs like Serko and Concur are still adapting. While full NDC functionality is expected later this year, current limitations may include fare comparison issues, missing inclusions, or reduced control over seat selection and preferences.
- Restricted post-ticketing edits: Tasks like adding frequent flyer numbers, seat preferences or special meal requests may need to happen earlier than usual – or might not be available after ticketing at all.
- No multi-airline trips: NDC doesn’t currently allow mixed-carrier bookings on Serko (e.g. Qantas one way, Virgin the other). Some systems expect to support this functionality by the end of 2025.
Where Cost Meets Complexity
- Familiar fare rules, unfamiliar workflows: While many NDC fares follow the same fare conditions as traditional fares, managing changes, applying credits or processing refunds can be more complex depending on your tech and supplier agreements.
- Inconsistent content access: What you can see, book and manage will depend on your program’s tech stack, platform settings and Travel Management Company’s (TMC) configuration. Not all booking paths are created equal.
The Human Impact: What Travellers and Bookers Will Feel
- Fare clarity challenges: With differences in how fares appear and what’s included, travellers may be confused about what they’re actually getting – especially if booking through multiple channels.
- More up-front detail required: EAs and bookers may need to gather more information earlier in the process – including frequent flyer numbers, meal preferences, and seat selections – to avoid hiccups later.
- Slower service resolution: As systems adjust, some processes – particularly around credits, changes and quoting – may take longer or require manual intervention.
While some of these shifts may create short-term friction, they also create opportunities – especially for those ready to adapt early.
And while not everything is within your control, a lot still is.
In the Meantime: What You Can Control
Despite the complexity, there are clear actions you can take to keep your program running smoothly.
Many of the current issues are temporary – solutions are already being rolled out. But how well they work depends on a few key factors: your technology platform, the booking tool in use, and the Global Distribution System (GDS) your TMC is connected to.
So if things feel clunky now, know that it’s not permanent – but your setup matters.
- Lean on your TMC: We’re in this every day and can help you make sense of the chaos, find workarounds, and stay ahead of changes.
- Review your internal policies: If flexibility matters more than price, update your workflows and approvals to reflect that.
- Educate your team: Especially those booking frequently – knowing what to expect will save on time and stress.
- Ask about your tech stack: Not all systems are NDC-ready, and not all booking paths offer the same content or functionality.
This is also a great time to reflect on how your business actually travels.
If you regularly make changes, book complex itineraries or value high-touch support, NDC might not be the silver bullet – yet.
But when used correctly, know it’s a powerful addition to your travel strategy.
Progress in Motion: What’s Still on the To-Do List
We’re in that ambitious in-between phase – where the vision is bold, but the execution is still playing catch-up.
Think beta mode, not broken.
Progress is happening – just not always in the same direction, or at the same time. While the industry finds its rhythm, here’s what’s still being ironed out behind the scenes:
- Systems aren’t all aligned: Corporate travel has always been a multi-layered ecosystem – bookings, approvals, reporting and beyond all rely on different systems working together. With NDC in the mix, each layer is evolving on its own timeline, creating disconnects and integration challenges across the tech stack.
- Unclear messaging: Platform names, program labels and buzzwords are often used interchangeably – which only adds to the confusion.
- More fare fragmentation: Pricing disparity between channels is likely to get worse before it gets better.
- Uneven airline rollout: Airlines are progressing at different speeds, with varying levels of tech maturity and readiness – which makes consistency hard to come by.
- GDS still matters: Despite the NDC push, the Global Distribution System isn’t going anywhere. Instead, it’s running in parallel – giving us stability for now, but also creating dual systems and more tech to integrate as airlines move in different directions.
It’s still clunky in parts, but progress is happening – and relatively fast. The key is knowing where the cracks are so you can plan around them.
Where We’re Headed (And Why It’s Worth the Ride)
After years of planning and incremental progress, NDC is finally gaining real traction. And while the growing pains are real, so is the potential.
We’re already seeing encouraging signs in testing – faster booking flows, richer fare content, and early glimpses that personalisation is becoming more than just a buzzword.
Airlines and tech partners are putting serious effort into building a better, more responsive travel experience. And that’s something we’re fully behind.
The key now is alignment. Between TMCs, clients, booking platforms and suppliers. Because when everyone’s building towards the same goal – clarity, connectivity and consistency – it works.
So yes, it’s a transition. But it’s one we believe in.
If you’re unsure how this impacts your travel program – or what steps to take next – we’re here to help. You can also check out our live FAQs, updated regularly as the rollout continues.
