There are various benefits of NDC. Firstly, for the airline, NDC standard enhances the ability of Qatar Airways to distribute its products to Trade Partners, TMC’s, OTAs, consolidators, and other third-party Sellers in a modern way. For the Sellers, NDC means better booking experience and upsell opportunities.

It also provides the opportunity to improve the end-to-end airline distribution process, e.g. introducing flight details and ancillary products in a faster, richer and more dynamic way. It enables airlines to deliver enhanced customer experiences through personalised offers, rich content and dynamic pricing.

In NDC, offers are generated by the airline based on the search enquiries (shopping request flow) of the Seller. Offers mean flight and seat availability with airfares that can be bundled with other products such as ancillary services.

Offers become an order once the customer or Seller accepts the offer resulting in the creation of a unique order reference number, like a PNR in the traditional GDS environment.

Yes, Qatar Airways has obtained Airline Retailing Maturity index (ARM) certification from IATA.

It means that we have full Offer & Order Management capabilities. In addition to all the booking and selling capabilities, key elements of servicing, like changes in NDC booking, are also supported. More information on different retailing capabilities available on NDC can be found via: https://retailing.iata.org/armi/registry/qr

Currently Qatar Airways is using NDC schema version 18.1 powered by Amadeus Altea NDC

Yes, we will upgrade to later versions as we progress with our NDC development

Qatar Airways is using Amadeus Altea NDC. In addition Accelya Farelogix NDC solution which powers Oryx Portal (SPRK booking tool). We intend to retain both solutions for the foreseeable future.

No, it doesn’t, because NDC is the only standard that enables better retailing capabilities and will be connected also to GDS platforms. GDSs are building their own NDC capabilities and could connect to the Qatar Airways NDC programme via Oryx Link and serve as NDC aggregators in the future. We have implemented NDC in the Amadeus and Sabre GDS platforms and discussions are underway with a range of other Global Distribution Systems and aggregators.

Customers increasingly expect personalized offers that contain a combination of products and services that best suit their needs. Qatar Airways has invested in capabilities so that fares, conditions, discounts, ancillary product and service combinations can all be adjusted based on the preferences of travellers, Sellers and stakeholders.

• I. Via BSP / ARC markets: NDC is activated in all main markets. 
• II. Via Non-BSP markets: NDC is  activated in selected non-BSP markets such as Armenia, Algeria, Iraq, and Sudan.

Trade Partners should either familiarise themselves through Qatar Airways Trade Portal or contact a Qatar Airways account manager to understand the different connectivity options available and agree on the selected solution. 

In order to get access to the full benefits and servicing capabilities of our NDC Programme, we encourage all Sellers to register via our Trade Portal and indicate their preferred connection method. If the Seller is currently using Amadeus or Sabre platforms, they don’t need to register but we still recommend it so that they can be serviced the best possible way.

Qatar Airways is working closely with a broad range of NDC aggregators, including GDSs, and the list of approved aggregators is available in the Trade Portal at the Oryx Link section

In order to get access to the full benefits and servicing capabilities of our NDC Programme, we encourage all Sellers to register via our Trade Portal and indicate their preferred connection method. Trade Partners once approved by Qatar Airways will need to agree on the onboarding process and possible commercials with the aggregator partner.

As different GDSs have varying degrees of progress on their NDC implementations and onboarding requirements before granting agents access, please approach your respective GDS for more information

Qatar Airways is not charging a Trade Partner to join the NDC programme. However, costs may be incurred depending on your choice of technology partner or platform to provide the NDC content. You may need to contact your chosen technology partner or platform to find out more.

Qatar Airways recommends BSP participating Trade Partners to settle only via BSP channel.

Qatar Airways recommends non-BSP participating Trade Partners to obtain Go-Lite accreditation in BSP markets and settle via BSP using IATA-Easy Pay solution or by payment card

Qatar Airways can support trading outside of BSP via bank guarantee or cash deposit arrangements only on selected Non-BSP/ Non-ARC markets

Depending on how the Seller connects, there are different capabilities available. The following capabilities are available on all connection types. Features that are currently supported by Oryx Connect, Qatar Airways NDC programme, are;

• I. Full availability of Qatar Airways published flight schedules and flight information including codeshare flights and over 100 interline connections.
• II. Ability to sell all published Qatar Airways fares including easily identifiable Fare Families and associated product benefits such as free seating and lounge access.
• III. Depending on the connection type, Trade Partners can access rich content including images, videos and flight information with aircraft type, available cabins and interactive seat maps.
• IV. Ability to sell a variety of Qatar Airways private fares for authorised Sellers.
• V. Ability to sell ancillary products such as preferred seats and baggage.
• VI. Ability to add Special Service Requests (SSR) like wheelchair, special meals etc. similar to all special service request capabilities that are currently available in the GDS.
• VII. Oryx Connect Programme facilitates multiple payment methods.
• VIII. Servicing capabilities vary by platform that the Trade Partner is connecting. In cases where the platform cannot support the servicing, Qatar Airways call Centre can be contacted to perform the required changes.  

Currently all Qatar Airways marketed codeshare flights can be booked via all NDC connectivity options. The majority of our 100+ interline partners are also bookable via solutions connected to Altea NDC (depending on platform capabilities - For example Sabre doesn’t currently support interline connections). 

Yes, up to 6 flight segments, including Open Jaw sectors are supported.

Preferred Seats and Baggage related ancillaries are already active and more ancillaries will be made available in 2023.

Please note that access to private fares will be provided only to eligible Trade Partners

Existing Trade Partners who already are connected to Amadeus Travel Platform (Sell Connect UI): Agent has to retrieve a private fare (if eligible) using an account code.

Trade Partners who are not connected to Amadeus Travel Platform (Sell Connect UI):

At the time of signing up for NDC, as part of the onboarding process, these account codes will be provided.

Qatar Airways plans to offer a specific incentive programme for NDC bookings for eligible Trade Partners.

In general most of the passenger type codes are supported, however the capabilities will vary by platform.

Group bookings are currently not available via any of the NDC connection options that Qatar Airways provides.

BSP/ARC markets: NDC bookings will be included in the Sales Reports provided by BSP/ARCto the Trade Partners.

Non-BSP markets: Separate reports will be raised by Airline for NDC bookings.

Depending on the platform Trade Partners connect, sales reporting capabilities might be available. 

There will be less room for errors in NDC but any violations will be subject to ADM as defined in Qatar Airways’ policies (QAPAP).

•       I. Via BSP/ARC channel: All FOPs supported by respective country’s BSP/ARC that are currently accepted by Qatar Airways i.e. BSP Cash or BSP Card. NDC is not activated in certain BSP markets due to the limitations of the technology partner.
•     II. Via Non-BSP/Non-ARC channel: Only cash is supported currently. NDC is activated in selected non-BSP markets such as Armenia, Algeria, Iraq, and Sudan

Yes, deferred payment option is supported.

If the journey includes another Airline sector, each carrier will apply its own Ticketing Time Limit (TTL). However, in a case where there are multiple TTLs, the most restrictive TTL/condition will apply. The most restrictive TTL will be reflected in NDC.

I. Via BSP/ARC channel: The ticket stock will be airline stock and the control will be part of the overall BSP control via Ticketing Authority process.

II. Via Non-BSP / Non-ARC channel: The ticket stock will be either airline stock or neutral stock depending on the NDC solution and will be controlled by Qatar Airways.

No, NDC bookings can only be retrieved via NDC enabled platforms. Trade Partner will not be able to retrieve a booking made through EDIFACT in an NDC channel or vice versa.

No, the cryptic entries can’t be used in NDC environment. To retrieve the booking they will need to use the Graphical User Interface (GUI) provided by the platform.

Traveller can add ancillary services via Qatar Airways official website under Manage My Booking. Trade Partners can add Ancillaries via Qatar Airways Trade Portal.

Trade Partner can add the service via Qatar Airways official website under Manage My Booking. 

Travellers can add ancillary services via Qatar Airways official website under Manage My Booking. Trade Partners can add Ancillaries via Qatar Airways Trade Portal.

The servicing capabilities vary by aggregator platform. If this is not supported by the platform, they must either manage via Trade Portal (self-service module), or contact Trade Desk Support via Trade Portal chat tool.

These elements can be added via manage my booking in Qatar Airways Trade Portal.

Based on the platform that the agent is using, the date change prior to ticketing can be done within the platform itself.

Based on the platform that the agent is using, the date change and the reissuance can be done within the platform. However, due to platform limitation, if the agent is not able to perform this task, they can contact the Call Centre and have the ticket reissued 24/7

Please note, if the Call Centre does the rebooking, the Trade Partner will lose control of the booking and the new fare will be a normal published fare (in cases where the initial ticket is issued on a private fare).

The servicing capabilities vary by aggregator platform. For example, if the agent has connected via Amadeus Travel Platform and needs to split the order, they must either  manage via Trade Portal (self-service module), or contact Trade Desk Support via Trade Portal chat tool or create individual PNRs. If the PNR is split outside of NDC, the Trade Partner won’t be able to see the split PNR

Sabre platform currently supports single passenger bookings so the split scenario doesn’t apply.

They can view the parent PNR but can’t perform further action on the PNR

No, name changes are currently not supported in NDC. Qatar Airways may, however, allow name changes/corrections, based on its policies.

The changes can be done via ‘manage my booking’ in the Trade Portal.

Like the traditional GDS environment, the Trade Partner and end consumer will be notified of the flight disruptions depending on the capabilities of the platform provided that the contact details are in the booking.

If the PNR is cancelled under revenue integrity processes (fictitious name, duplicate PNR etc) the reason for cancellation will not be communicated to the Trade Partner if there are no active segments in the PNR.

The Trade Partner will not receive a warning or cancellation message, however, the unticketed PNR will be cancelled by the airline and when the agent tries to retrieve it, there won’t be any active segments. 

For scenarios where passenger are a no-show, Trade Partner may contact Qatar Airways Call Center for further assistance on servicing.

Refunds shall be processed as per normal practice to the respective Form of Payment used at the time of sales and as per the applicable fare rules and Qatar Airways policies/procedures

Via the NDC API:

Please check the "ATC_REFUND_ELIGIBILITY" value TRUE Or FALSE in OrderRetrieveRS or OrderReshop messages.

Via the Aggregator Platforms:

Please check the fare rules to learn about eligibility for a refund.

Via the NDC API:

Please check the "ATC_EXCHANGE_ELIGIBILITY" value TRUE Or FALSE in OrderRetrieveRS, OrderReshop messages.

Via the Aggregator Platforms:

Please check the fares rule to know the eligibility for exchange

Yes, it is possible. The cancellation will apply to all the passengers in the booking.

First level of support is the Seller’s/Trade Partner’s aggregator platform provider. Qatar Airways NDC team is the second level of support if the servicing needs to be escalated by agent’s chosen aggregator.

Depending on the connectivity method, the Trade Partner shall contact either the NDC technology provider or the aggregator (Oryx Link) they are connecting through.

Alternatively, contact Qatar Airways’ NDC team (email OryxConnect@qatarairways.com.qa)