American Airlines Retailing
Inspiring the future of airline retailing through modern and tailored experiences
American Airlines leads the travel retail industry through a customer-centric focus on elevated offers and seamless experiences.
In the past, customers who booked travel through third-party distribution partners may have had subpar booking and travel management experiences with limited access to fares and packages.
Today, American’s journey to modern retailing gives customers access to enhanced content and functionality enabled by New Distribution Capability (NDC). These enhancements simplify the customer experience by designing exclusive offers and distributing products in a new way. The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) designated American Airlines with Airline Retailing Maturity (ARM) status based on our retailing capabilities, partnerships development and value capture.
Benefits
Our enhanced retail capabilities offer greater selections to our customers and exclusive access to our products and services. Our modern retailing experience provides a one-stop-shop within the customer’s preferred channel.
Enhanced offerings
- Access our growing and diverse product suite with tailored offers, including but not limited to Main Select, Main Plus, and Flagship® Business Plus™, creating a seamless travel experience
- Unlock access to Preferred and Paid seats via a comprehensive seat map within the customer’s channel of choice
Tailored content
- Receive relevant shopping results tailored to AAdvantage® membership benefits
Streamlined agency processes
- Collect upfront commissions automatically through NDC – coming soon for eligible travel sellers
Enhanced offerings
American continues to grow and develop our diverse product suite.
Our current retail offerings are available via our NDC connection and include:
Connection & implementation options
Agency connection & implementation options
American aims to provide the most comprehensive content available in all the channels where our customers shop.
How to take advantage of our enhanced content:
Via NDC Aggregator
NDC Aggregators are third-party technology companies such as Global Distribution Systems (GDS), Travel Management Companies (TMC) or Online Booking Tools (OBT) specializing in NDC integrations with American and other airlines.
Recommended for travel agencies, preferring an off-the-shelf solution that doesn't require IT resource deployment for integration.
View our approved technology partners.
Via Travel Agency Direct Connect
Travel Agency Direct Connect allows agencies to connect directly to our API. This connection type requires an ARC/IATA accredited agency for ticketing.
Recommended for large travel agencies, Travel Management Companies (TMC) and technology providers with IT resources available to complete integration and preferring to manage the technology.
Integration projects are expected to take between 3-6 months to complete but may vary depending on business needs.
Our dedicated team offers project roadmap and production support as well as assistance for other integration queries and needs.
Please fill out our contact form to get started.
Corporate connection & implementation options
American’s goal is to have the best content available in all the channels that our customers decide to shop in.
How to take advantage of our enhanced content:
Via NDC Aggregator
NDC Aggregators are third-party technology companies such as Global Distribution Systems (GDS), Travel Management Companies (TMC) or Online Booking Tools (OBT) specializing in NDC integrations with American and other airlines.
Recommended for corporations utilizing a travel agency and preferring an off-the-shelf solution that doesn’t require IT resource deployment for integration.
View American’s approved technology partners »
Via Direct Booking
Direct Booking is the fastest solution, enabling access to NDC content for corporations or small-medium-sized businesses.
Implementation is not required; however, NDC-enabled booking tool adoption may be necessary.
American Airlines will become the Agency of Record for all ticketing and servicing inquiries.
Agency resources
American's NDC API Features
Servicing Functionality Guide
| NDC features | Frequently used Servicing functionalities | GDS EDIFACT | American's NDC API |
|---|---|---|---|
| Servicing – Order cancellations |
Ability to cancel an Order (PNR) | ||
| Cancel Order (PNR) prior to document issuance | |||
| Void and cancel an Order (PNR) after document issuance | |||
| Refund and cancel an Order (PNR) after document issuance | |||
| Servicing – Miscellaneous |
Add or update passenger details in an Order (email, phone, corporate identifier, loyalty number) | ||
| Ability to divide Order (split PNR) | |||
| Paid and Free Seat Selection, recognition of loyalty status (pre and post air segment document issuance) | Only free seat selection available | ||
| PNR Queues are supported | |||
| Add SSRs (wheelchairs, special meals, etc.) | |||
| Servicing – Exchanges |
Change of itinerary in an existing Order | ||
| Change of itinerary for a new Order using flight credits (using unused or partially used tickets) | |||
| Even exchange | |||
| Exchange with a additional collection | |||
| Exchange resulting in a residual value | |||
| Exchange an EDIFACT issued ticket for an NDC Order | |||
| Exchange an NDC Order to an EDIFACT issued ticket | |||
| Servicing – Schedule changes |
Agent to receive Schedule Change notifications in real-time. Orders will be automatically updated | N/A | |
| Ability to apply Schedule Change (SKCHG) waiver |
The servicing functionality listed in the table above only applicable American airlines operated flights
American's NDC connection approved technology partners
Please contact the technology partner directly if you are interested in their offerings
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Frequently asked questions
General
- NDC provides better access to airlines' expanding product lines and improve the customer's travel experience
- American shares best practices for selling American's fare and ancillary products as well as enhanced functionality
- American expects that travel agencies will use NDC content to recommend American’s products/services and improve customer experience
Implementation
Functionality
| Airline | Interline |
|---|---|
| AY | Yes |
| BA | Yes |
| CX | Yes |
| IB | Yes |
| JL | Yes |
| QF | Yes |
| QR | Yes |
| 9B | Yes |
| AF | Yes |
| DL | Yes |
| ET | Yes |
| KL | Yes |
| LH | Yes |
| LX | Yes |
| OS | Yes |
| SN | Yes |
| UA | Yes |
| WS | Yes |
Contact us
If you have additional questions or would like to request access to American’s NDC connection, please submit the form below.
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