In this webinar, Senior Manager, Direct Connect and ONE Order, Paige Blunt, and Senior Analyst and Direct Connect Onboarding Specialist, Cassie Kilcarr discuss the history of New Distribution Capability (NDC) as an enhanced distribution option, the driving forces behind it and how ARC supports travel innovation through our Direct Connect program.
Paige and Cassie provide detailed information about NDC fundamentals, ARC Direct Connect rules and their impact on settlement and reporting. The webinar also covers program scope, participants, upcoming implementations and provides guidance on accessing valuable resources and FAQs.
Watch the full video below or use the links to skip ahead to specific parts of their discussion.
1:44 Paige starts the webinar by discussing how airlines have different visions of distribution strategies and the key themes that airlines focus on, including omnichannel customer experience, retail shopping capabilities and content control.
3:20 This section covers the top three benefits of ARC Direct Connect for travel agents.
5:16 Cassie guides a visual exercise to help viewers understand the difference between Direct Connect and NDC.
6:19 Watch this section to understand how travel suppliers use direct connections to access their systems, enabling third parties to search, book, pay and manage reservations.
7:32 Learn about NDC as an XML messaging standard.
9:15 Cassie hands the presentation to Paige to review how ARC supports direct connections. She discussed ARC’s involvement in the process since 2006 and how it has evolved to where it is today.
11:17 Paige explains five Direct Connect features for agents.
13:18 See the current list of ARC’s Direct Connect airline participants, those awaiting onboarding and program performance.
14:47 Cassie is back to provide details about the key differences between Direct Connect and GDS transactions. She also answers an audience question about collecting commissions.
22:28 Discover the common misconceptions and reality about ARC's role in agents getting started with Direct Connect and NDC.
Cassie reviews a list of questions and considerations agents should think about when entering a commercial agreement with airlines.
24:20 Cassie and Paige provide answers for the six most frequently asked questions and answer audience questions. Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
33:04 See an overview of the Direct Connect webpage, including details on the airlines participating in the program.
The remainder of the presentation addresses audience questions.
The ARC Direct Connect team is available to answer your questions and chat with you about program details. Please email ndc@arccorp.com, and we’ll be in touch.