Travel Management

Your legacy travel tech might be holding you back - here's why

Is your travel tech stuck in 1970? Learn how NDC and modern travel tech can fix booking inefficiencies, cut costs, and unlock better travel options.

Josefine Bovbjerg

Aug 8, 2025

Travel Management

Your legacy travel tech might be holding you back - here's why

From outdated interfaces to limited content options, legacy travel management systems often fall short of meeting the needs of today’s fast-paced business environment. With a growing number of companies modernizing their travel booking processes, it’s crucial to understand how outdated systems might hinder both travelers and travel managers—and why now might be the time to explore more innovative alternatives.

Go to cheat sheet of terms

What exactly are "legacy systems"?

To truly understand the challenges posed by legacy systems, it’s important to understand their origin and role in the industry. Legacy travel management systems date back to the 1960s and 1970s when Global Distribution Systems (GDS) first emerged. Originally designed to centralize flight inventory for airlines, these platforms represented a technological breakthrough for their time.

However, as technology has advanced, these systems have failed to keep up with the rapidly changing needs of today’s businesses. Despite a couple of updates over the decades, their core functionality has remained largely unchanged since the late 1970s. These systems are often patched together rather than reimagined. As a result, the booking systems that powered the travel industry for decades are now proving increasingly inadequate.

The fallout of patching these systems? A lot of complexity, and not a lot of flexibility. These systems lack the agility to support the needs of modern businesses, leaving little room for customization or user-centric innovation.

So why don't they just update the legacy systems? There are a lot of answers to this questions, but it mainly comes down to two things: Legacy code + tech and large market shares.

Legacy systems are built on legacy code, and on the back of legacy data standards like EDIFACT - which makes it hard to modify, compared to the new-gen code based on cloud based, open source tech that modern systems use. This makes it hard for legacy systems to integrate new features, as every new feature requires a patch, and the number of people able to code in legacy systems are dwindling. This especially slows down the introduction of NDC to the global travel market. On the other hand, because these legacy systems have owned the market for so long, they are not interested in losing their market share or opening up to new systems and players.

Modernizing the booking experience

The way people book travel is shifting, and for a good reason.
More companies are giving their employees the autonomy to book business travel themselves. This move empowers employees but also introduces new expectations. Today’s business travelers—especially younger professionals used to seamless online experiences—expect systems as intuitive as those they’ve encountered on platforms built on the "shopping basket" concept, like Amazon or leisure travel booking sites. The new modernized platforms are standing out, because they offer more tailor-made experiences and cater to more diverse travel needs (round trips, group trips), personal preferences (ex. seating preferences) and payment options.

This is one of the ways that legacy systems fall short - user friendliness. Their outdated interfaces and limited functionality create frustrating experiences for users accustomed to smooth and responsive platforms. While modern travel management systems simplify booking experiences with an everything-in-one-flow buyer experience, personalization options and easy changes, the legacy systems are a lot less agile. Patched systems often make booking everything in one go almost impossible, leaving travelers to book rail, flights and accommodation individually, if they are booking more complex trips - or scrambling to change one part of the booking, without rebooking the whole trip.

What travelers expect today

Seamless, intuitive experiences: Systems that are as easy to navigate and responsive as popular online platforms like Amazon or leisure travel sites
Personalized and tailored options: The ability to customize bookings, such as selecting seating preferences, adding extra baggage, or choosing travel dates and times that fit their personal needs
Everything-in-one flow: A streamlined booking process that allows users to book flights, hotels, and car rentals all in one go—without having to navigate multiple platforms or make separate bookings
Real-time updates: Instant notifications and updates to keep travelers informed, avoid booking ambiguity, and make real-time changes with minimal hassle
Mobile-friendly design: A platform that is accessible and fully optimized for mobile devices, so travelers can easily book and manage their trips on-the-go
Flexible booking options: Travelers want diverse content options, and easy, accessible options to book, change, cancel and rebook their trips, without having to get in touch with an agent or travel manager

....and where legacy systems fall short

Meeting these expectations isn’t just about convenience. It can directly impact productivity, traveler satisfaction, and compliance with corporate policies.

One of the biggest challenges of legacy systems is their complexity. Over the years, multiple patches have been added, but the systems themselves remain rigid and unable to meet the demands of today’s businesses. Travel managers and bookers often face a number of frustrations:

Limited and lost content access: Many legacy systems rely heavily on GDS, which will in turn limit the range of available inventory - both now and even more in the future. In contrast to NDC, GDS based systems rarely offer Low-cost carriers, and content like boutique hotels, and rail options are often excluded or have minimal coverage. As more airlines adopt NDC, the systems who only support GDS content will naturally loose content that was previously available, too. This can severely restrict the variety of travel options available, forcing travel managers to manually search for alternatives or use multiple platforms.
Leakage: Less content leads to more leakage, and with that, less transparency. As more and more airlines transition to NDC content and remove their content from traditional GDSs, leakage can occur if a platform doesn’t offer the content travelers seek.
Fragmented Booking Processes: Legacy systems don’t support the “shopping basket” concept, where different travel services like flights, hotels, and car rentals can be linked together into a single itinerary. Each booking is handled individually, creating inefficiencies and complicating the overall travel management process.
Difficult trip modifications and lack of flexibility: When it comes to modifying bookings, legacy systems can be incredibly challenging to work with. Bookers often need to contact agents or the travel management team for changes, adding unnecessary steps and delays. Additionally, booking round trips or journeys with more than three segments is often not possible within the system’s limitations.
Decentralized Setup: Many companies operate across multiple locations or points of sale, but legacy systems often struggle to provide a centralized view. This lack of integration means international customers don’t have a unified platform and must rely on country-specific configurations, making it difficult to manage global travel policies - and making it hard for global companies to have visibility of all their company travel.
Limited Payment Options: Legacy systems also provide very little flexibility in payment options, which can be a huge obstacle for businesses and travelers who need diverse payment methods to suit different preferences or geographic regions.

What’s the deal with GDS and NDC?

A notable change in the travel tech landscape is the industry-wide shift towards New Distribution Capability (NDC). The move from GDS to NDC marks a major milestone in travel tech, but it also highlights a key limitation of legacy systems. Platforms locked into GDS-only models cannot access the full benefits of NDC, leaving businesses with fewer options and less flexibility.

What is NDC?

NDC (New Distribution Capability) is an advanced technology standard developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This new XML-based communications standard was developed to help airlines bring richer content and ancillaries directly to online travel agencies (OTAs), corporate travel management companies (TMCs), and other flight resellers through a set of travel APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). NDC also improves how airlines and travel agents exchange information, and is accessible to all third parties, intermediaries, and technology providers.

Essentially, NDC empowers airlines to share more detailed and customized product offerings directly to travel agencies and booking systems, in real time. This includes not just basic flight data but also ancillary services like seat upgrades, additional baggage, flexible cancellation policies, loyalty programs, and special deals for frequent travelers.

The shift from GDS to NDC

The traditional GDS system was designed in the 1960s to handle flight inventory distribution across airlines, travel agents, and booking platforms. It was revolutionary at the time but now faces limitations, especially in terms of its flexibility and ability to adapt to modern traveler expectations. GDSs have become somewhat rigid and offer only a narrow, standardized set of products, primarily focused on flight booking. For example, they often do not include more complex travel packages (like customized itineraries) or offer access to low-cost carriers and smaller hotel chains.

NDC changes this by allowing airlines to bypass GDSs entirely and distribute their content directly, with much richer and more personalized options. This includes special fare bundles, detailed flight info, flexible options for baggage, and more.

So what's the status with NDC now?

Since IATA launched NDC in 2012, adoption has progressed slowly but steadily. As of 2024, a significant number of major airlines have implemented NDC to varying degrees, with some fully embracing the technology while others are in different stages of adoption. The trend shows an acceleration in NDC implementation, particularly among larger carriers and in regions with more developed aviation markets.

The chart below illustrates projected growth in NDC volume over the coming years, according to IATA. Naturally, this trajectory will be shaped by a range of factors that can influence adoption. (Source: IATA)

Retailing adoption rate for total ndc growth in percentage IATA estimate

Even though we've still not reached IATA's 2030 goal of 100% adoption, the growing emphasis on New Distribution Capability (NDC) and the presence of clear NDC strategies among the largest IATA member airlines are significant developments. These major carriers account for approximately 85-90% of the revenue generated by the roughly 330 IATA member airlines. In contrast, many smaller airlines lack the resources to develop their own NDC platforms and depend on third-party providers, such as Amadeus Altea, for assistance.

According to recent industry reports, approximately 60% of IATA member airlines have achieved some level of NDC certification, with about 30% actively using NDC for a portion of their distribution. For example, Air France-KLM continues to strengthen their NDC offerings in 2025, with 88% of tickets now being issued through NDC. Similarly, the Lufthansa Group has also embraced NDC, with a focus on providing richer content and better customer experiences through this modern distribution channel.

Implementing NDC is much like building an entirely new infrastructure for the travel industry: it requires rethinking long-established distribution models and replacing legacy connections with modern technology. This shift calls for extensive coordination between airlines, agencies, technology partners, and regulators to ensure systems communicate effectively, data security is maintained, and the traveler experience is seamless. While the goal set by IATA is for all airlines to be NDC-ready by 2030, the scale and complexity of this transformation means that true industry-wide adoption takes time and cooperation across all stakeholders -including legacy systems.

The timeline of the changes happening to the travel industry - specifically airline ticket distribution) can be seen in the illustration below. (Source: Goodwings)

Major technology change in travel happening now - airline ticket distribution

The benefits of NDC

Richer Content and competitive pricing
NDC allows airlines to display richer, more detailed offerings—including images, videos, and multimedia—giving travelers a clearer view of their options. NDC also enables airlines to display a wider range of options and real-time fare information, making it easier for travel bookers to find the best deals.
Upgrading is integrated into the booking flow
Extra ancillary services like seat upgrades, baggage, or lounge access can be offered as part of the booking flow, making customization and add-ons easy and improving the overall booking experience.
Personalization
Airlines can customize deals based on individual traveler profiles, preferences, and loyalty status, making each trip more relevant.
Real-time updates and improved transparency
With NDC, airlines can update flight availability, prices, and ancillary services in real time, ensuring travelers and bookers always have up-to-date information. The detailed breakdowns of flight options also enable travel managers to choose the options that align with traveler preferences and company policies.
Avoiding GDS Surcharges
By bypassing traditional GDS channels, travel managers avoid additional booking surcharges, resulting in cost savings and greater flexibility over travel arrangements.

Is it time to transition to a modern travel management system?

For companies still relying on legacy travel systems, it’s becoming increasingly important to understand the shifting landscape of travel technology and how these changes could impact your business. While legacy systems have served their purpose for decades, they are increasingly unable to keep up with the demands of modern travel—especially as more airlines and service providers embrace new technologies like NDC (New Distribution Capability), and weed out GDS.

What's the risk of staying?
Using an outdated system means your company may be missing out on rich content, better pricing, and more flexibility. Legacy systems are often limited by their reliance on traditional GDS platforms - a system that is projected by IATA to be sunset by 2030. Users are already feeling the difference, with GDS' lack of variety in content resulting in a less-than-ideal shopping experience, limited product differentiation, longer times to market, and less competitive pricing, compared to NDC enabled platforms. Over time, this can lead to “leakage,” where employees book outside of the system due to limited choices or better deals elsewhere—ultimately costing your company more.

Key benefits of transitioning to a modern travel management system include:

Data transparency: Real-time insights to help businesses make informed decisions.
Greater content variety: Access to both GDS and NDC content, offering a broader selection of travel services.
Easier integration: Seamless syncing with other enterprise tools, such as HR systems and expense management platforms.
Enhanced user experience: Simplified booking and better support for modern travel expectations.

What can modern platforms offer?
Modern travel management platforms, like Goodwings, offer a solution by integrating GDS, NDC, and LCC content into one platform. This allows you to provide your employees with more travel options, including cost-effective LCC choices and specialized services, all while ensuring better pricing and reduced leakage. The added flexibility of NDC means that airlines can deliver tailored offers directly to the platform, resulting in more dynamic pricing and a seamless booking experience.

Making the switch to a modern platform may seem daunting—data migration, retraining, and integration can be time-consuming. However, the rewards of transitioning to a system that supports both traditional GDS content and innovative NDC-driven offerings far outweigh the challenges. Not only will your company benefit from expanded content variety and more competitive prices, but you'll also see improvements in booking efficiency, real-time updates, and better control over travel policies.

If you want to remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing corporate travel landscape, adopting a system that supports NDC content as well as your travelers needs and expectations, is no longer just an option—it’s a strategic necessity. By embracing modern travel tech, your company can future-proof its travel management, ensuring a more streamlined and cost-effective process for your employees and managers alike.

Curious to learn about how a modern TMS can streamline your travel management?

Get a quick intro to the Goodwings platform with our on-demand video demo.

Cheat sheet of terms

What is NDC?
NDC (New Distribution Capability), is a modern data exchange standard developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to improve how airlines distribute and sell their services. Unlike legacy systems, NDC enables airlines to offer more personalized content, dynamic pricing, and ancillary services (such as seat upgrades and baggage). It allows for more flexibility, real-time updates, and better integration with modern technologies, providing a seamless experience for both travelers and travel managers.

What is GDS?

GDS (Global Distribution Systems) are centralized platforms that aggregate travel content from airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and other travel services. They have been the backbone of the travel industry for decades, allowing travel agents and corporations to access booking information. Major GDS providers include Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport. While essential for distributing travel content, GDSs are increasingly seen as outdated due to their rigid structures and limited access to newer services, driving the adoption of modern solutions like NDC.

What Is EDIFACT?

EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and Transport) is a global standard for electronic data exchange, originally developed in the 1980s by the United Nations. It was designed to facilitate the transmission of business documents and transactions between organizations, particularly in industries like transportation and logistics. In the travel sector, EDIFACT has been used for decades to enable airlines, travel agencies, and other service providers to share and process booking, pricing, and scheduling information. While it was revolutionary at the time, EDIFACT has become outdated due to its rigid structure, limited flexibility, and inability to support the personalized, dynamic features that modern travelers expect. As the industry moves toward more innovative solutions, EDIFACT is gradually being replaced by more advanced technologies like NDC (New Distribution Capability).

What is IATA?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a trade association of the world’s airlines. Founded in 1945, IATA represents approximately 350 airlines, which account for more than 83% of global air traffic. Its mission is to promote safe, secure, and efficient air travel and to advocate for the interests of the aviation industry.

IATA plays a key role in setting standards for aviation safety, security, and environmental sustainability. Through its influence, IATA works with governments, regulatory bodies, and industry partners to create policies that benefit both the aviation sector and its passengers. Additionally, IATA supports airlines in optimizing their operations, improving customer service, and meeting sustainability goals such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.