Airline distribution fragmentation frustrates business travelers

Corporate booking tools struggle to keep up with airlines’ push for direct sales and ndc, leaving travelers caught between higher costs and outdated systems

Corporate travelers face rising frustration as airline content fragments across multiple systems. Traditional GDS-based booking tools can’t keep pace with direct sales, NDC, and dynamic pricing, creating mismatched fares, service gaps, and higher costs. Travel managers and modern agencies say the industry is nearing a breaking point: legacy models must evolve or risk becoming irrelevant.

Key takeaways

• Content fragmentation: Airlines now distribute fares across multiple channels, forcing agencies to juggle four or more booking systems.
• Pricing mismatches: Corporate booking tools often show higher fares than public airline sites, undermining trust and compliance.
• Disruption pain: Without modern NDC connections, agencies struggle to rebook or assist travelers quickly during flight disruptions.
• Legacy tmc pressure: Traditional agencies tied to GDS revenue models face criticism for lagging in innovation and adaptability.
• Airline ndc rollout: Carriers are increasingly moving fares outside GDSs, with platforms like SabreMosaic aiming to unify fragmented content.
• Tech-driven advantage: Newer agencies such as TravelPerk show faster integration of NDC content, automation, and cost efficiencies, widening the gap with legacy players.
• Traveler expectation gap: Business travelers expect modern, seamless booking like leisure sites but too often encounter outdated, fragmented tools.

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