Comparative Analysis: Amadeus vs. Sabre NDC APIs Based on Functionalities
The New Distribution Capability (NDC) APIs of Amadeus and Sabre are designed to modernize airline retailing by enhancing the distribution of rich content and tailored offerings. Below is a comparison focused on their NDC API functionalities.
1. Shopping and Booking Capabilities
- Amadeus NDC:
- Supports multi-source content aggregation, merging NDC with traditional EDIFACT content for seamless comparison and hybrid bookingsBusiness Travel NewsAmadeus IT Group SA.
- Offers real-time access to personalized fare bundles and ancillaries, improving upselling and cross-selling options.
- Enables continuous pricing models, which allow airlines to provide dynamic, context-based pricingAmadeus.
- Sabre NDC:
- Integrates with its Bargain Finder Max (BFM) API, enabling combined shopping of NDC, EDIFACT, and Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) contentSabre Developer Studio.
- Provides tools to prioritize or filter specific content sources, such as preferring NDC content in case of duplicate offers.
- Offers advanced shopping qualifiers, such as multi-branded fare comparisons, improving flexibility for agencies and developersSabre Developer StudioAir France-KLM.
2. Order Management
- Amadeus NDC:
- Comprehensive post-booking functionalities, including ticket issuance, order changes, and cancellations.
- Offers "Order Reshop" capabilities, enabling modifications like rebookings or adding ancillariesBusiness Travel NewsAmadeus.
- Focuses on hybrid order management, integrating EDIFACT and NDC content into a unified workflowAmadeusAmadeus IT Group SA.
- Sabre NDC:
- Detailed servicing options for post-booking actions, such as order modification, cancellations, and exchangesSabre Developer Studio.
- Provides APIs for ancillary management, including adding or canceling pre-reserved seats and purchasing extra servicesSabre Developer Studio.
- Supports intelligent notifications for order changes, improving workflow efficiency for agenciesSabre Developer StudioAir France-KLM.
3. Personalization and Ancillary Offerings
- Amadeus NDC:
- AI-driven personalization to tailor offers based on customer preferences and past behaviorAmadeus IT Group SA.
- Enhances ancillary merchandising, allowing airlines to sell additional services like baggage, meals, or upgrades dynamicallyAmadeusAmadeus IT Group SA.
- Sabre NDC:
- Customization of bundles, offering flexible packaging of fares and services to meet traveler needsSabre Developer Studio.
- Supports ancillary shopping within the Bargain Finder Max interface, integrating ancillaries into the booking processAir France-KLM
4. Developer and Integration Support
- Amadeus NDC:
- Offers robust documentation and SDKs for developers to simplify integrationBusiness Travel NewsAmadeus IT Group SA.
- Tools for monitoring API performance and troubleshooting integration issues in real-timeAmadeus.
- Sabre NDC:
- Detailed guides and examples for using APIs, with advanced configurations for shopping qualifiersSabre Developer Studio.
- Flexible options for agencies to tailor NDC offers, such as modifying default preferences for duplicate contentSabre Developer Studio.
5. Airline and Content Coverage
- Amadeus NDC:
- Broad partnerships with airlines worldwide, including leading carriers in Europe and AsiaBusiness Travel NewsAmadeus IT Group SA.
- Prioritizes transitioning airlines from EDIFACT to NDC content distributionAmadeus.
- Sabre NDC:
- Expanding airline partnerships, such as its agreement with Air France-KLM for enhanced NDC offersAir France-KLM.
- Supports a mix of legacy and low-cost carriers, catering to diverse agency needsSabre Developer StudioAir France-KLM.
Conclusion
- Amadeus NDC focuses on hybrid integration, AI-driven personalization, and seamless workflows, making it ideal for agencies prioritizing user experience and tailored content.
- Sabre NDC excels in content flexibility, robust post-booking tools, and advanced shopping capabilities, making it a strong choice for agencies managing diverse airline content and complex itineraries.
Travlinq support for NDC is crucial to business success and we are committed to invest in integration of the NDC from GDS’s to support our customers success story.
