The NDC Savings Index: A deep dive into the benefits of scaled NDC utilization
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It’s easy to understand why New Distribution Capability (NDC) has moved to the forefront of the business travel conversation: Flight bookings represent such a large share of a travel program that the potential benefits of accessing this new standard could be massive for both companies and travelers.
However, not everyone seems to agree on what the benefits of NDC truly are, and a wide range of opinions exist on whether NDC is “ready” for large travel programs.
After extensive research into global flight bookings made with Navan, we have some answers.
Download the NDC Savings Index for a deep dive into:
The powerful effect of scaled NDC utilization
Why NDC can reduce travel spend — and how much some companies could be saving
The other benefits companies receive from NDC-enabled connections
Here’s a sneak peek at the report:
NDC isn’t the future. NDC is now.
While many TMCs mention NDC as part of a hypothetical future, years away and not yet ready for large programs, the reality is that NDC content for business travel is here — and here to stay.
In May, NDC represented 24% of all flights booked globally on the Navan platform. Today, of all bookings made by the millions of travelers using Navan, around 1 of every 4 flights is booked via NDC. And as adoption has increased over time, so has traveler satisfaction.
NDC has been adopted globally.
NDC accounted for 31% of all flights booked in Europe with Navan in May 2024. In the U.S., which leads globally in booking volume, NDC currently represents 24% of all flight bookings. With airlines increasingly prioritizing direct and NDC-enabled channels, having access to NDC is now a must-have for companies whose employees travel regularly for business.
Delaying NDC adoption means increasing travel budgets in all regions.
As airlines move away from legacy limitations and enrich their travel content, travel programs with access to this content will likely be the clear winners.
Based on Navan data, customers with NDC access could see potential savings per airline ranging from 3.3% to 16.6%. And depending on the route, up to 57% of fares published by an airline could be missing from non-NDC-enabled platforms. The impact is more fares outside a system than inside — often leading to leakage and distrust from employees.
Based on data from bookings where NDC content was available, made via Navan from Feb. 16 - May 16, 2024. Includes scenarios where NDC was cheaper or the same price as EDIFACT. Potential overall savings are based on various dynamic factors, such as availability, location, fare classes, routes, and usage