Industry Insights
Brian Tarns
August 2, 2023
A few weeks ago, the business travel world received a sudden change — more of a small ripple than shockwave, but a change that should be noticed. American Airlines decided to stop offering paid seat upgrades for anyone who buys a traditional fare unless they purchased the upgrade on AA.com or purchased the underlying fare via an NDC channel, which allows paid seat upgrades.
Previously, travelers could purchase seat upgrades regardless of how their ticket was booked. American Airlines' new policy restricts this capability to tickets booked through their direct channels or via NDC-enabled platforms.
This move is another step in American Airlines' strategy to push booking volume toward NDC distribution. By tying premium product access to NDC bookings, they're creating tangible incentives for TMCs and corporate travel programs to adopt NDC.
For business travelers who value seat upgrades as part of their travel experience, this change matters. It means the choice of booking channel affects not just price but also access to ancillary products.
ITS has been investing in NDC integration to ensure our clients maintain access to the full range of airline products and services. Our platform supports NDC bookings from American Airlines and other participating carriers, so your travelers won't lose access to the features they value.
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