Published on
August 15, 2025

Lufthansa Group is embarking on a decisive upgrade to its flight-booking model by embracing New Distribution Capability (NDC) channels. Effective September 2, 2025, the entry-level “Light” fare on Lufthansa domestic routes within Germany will be withdrawn from traditional EDIFACT-based Global Distribution Systems (GDS). Passengers will instead find the lowest fares only on NDC-capable interfaces, such as the airline’s own websites and select NDC aggregator marketplaces. This initiative is a cornerstone of Lufthansa’s broader strategy to refine its distribution framework and deliver a more streamlined and informative experience for leisure and corporate travelers alike.

Importantly, the shift will apply to the entire Lufthansa airline family, encompassing Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Swiss and Brussels Airlines. By adopting a coordinated, cross-carrier approach, the group is positioning itself alongside the broader industry wave of airlines reclaiming latitude over fare structures, product merchandising and direct customer dialogue through agile sales channels.

NDC Channels: What It Means for Travelers and Agents

Travelers booking flights within Germany will notice a change: the lowest fares will no longer appear on the familiar GDS systems—Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo—once the airlines migrate to NDC channels. Those fares will instead live on NDC-enabled platforms, where airlines can apply live pricing, make tailored offers, and bundle services in ways the legacy systems don’t allow. Although the switch may challenge those who rely on traditional third-party agents, the goal is to create a booking process that feels more personal and reacts more swiftly to individual needs.

NDC gives airlines the room to present the entire product set, so travelers will see bundled packages, detailed seat maps, and pricing that can shift in real time to reflect demand and personal profile. It’s no longer a matter of finding the lowest price alone; passengers will select a travel experience that resonates with their preferences, from luggage to in-flight meals. The layout is designed to clear up what’s included in the price and what’s extra, so satisfaction with the booking itself starts on the right foot.

For agents and online travel platforms, moving to NDC is more than an upgrade; it’s a market-wide milestone. Tightly woven content from airlines, once masked behind traditional fares, will soon become the norm. Agencies that embrace this early can craft offers that feel bespoke to the traveler. In fledgling markets like Africa, where the NDC wave is only beginning, the message is clear: sink resources into new APIs and upskill staff, or risk falling behind an increasingly agile competition.

Trial and Global Launch

Building on its European footprint, Lufthansa Group is launching a NDC-focused trial that runs from September 1 through November 30, 2025, on selected flights connecting Singapore and the DACH market. International legs will mirror the NDC-only fare philosophy that the airline has already tested across German domestic routes. By placing this corridor under the NDC lens, Lufthansa can closely monitor the interplay with global booking platforms, gather data, and refine the template for future expansion to a broader roster of intercontinental flights.

The upcoming trial aims to clarify how NDC channels can deepen customer engagement and smooth the booking workflow for travelers across Europe and beyond. Should the test prove effective, the program could roll out to additional regions and routes, further empowering the airline group to deliver customized travel experiences throughout its network.

Broader Changes to Global Airline Distribution

The push to NDC sits within the industry-wide drift toward a retail-centric model. Under this framework, airlines position themselves like e-commerce firms, cultivating a more direct and tailored dialogue with travelers. Carriers including American, British Airways, and Qatar Airways have already adopted NDC to deliver bespoke journeys and reclaim authority over their service portfolios.

For Lufthansa Group, NDC means diminished dependence on expensive GDS fees, a stronger digital footprint, and the introduction of more adaptive pricing schemes. The combination of flexible pricing and the introduction of tailored services is predicted to boost revenue management without sacrificing customer satisfaction.

As airlines fully embrace digital retailing, a fresh chapter in airline distribution is unfolding, granting travelers smarter, more context-driven services while empowering carriers to maintain tighter command over their offers and pricing. The result is a more seamless and meaningful journey from first search to final boarding.

Advantages for Tourism

Lufthansa’s integration of the NDC standard confirms a sweeping industry shift toward greater customization and agility. Tourism professionals who adopt NDC will gain powerful new tools to bundle competitive fares, add-on services, and tailor-made itineraries. For travel to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the opportunity to weave a more unified and bespoke experience into every proposal has never been greater, enticing visitors who prize distinctive, personal service.

In the African landscape, where many agencies are still decoding NDC’s promise, the evolution is both a hurdle and a chance. Building the necessary technology and training into everyday operations will be essential, enabling agencies and tourism operators to leverage personalized, real-time pricing and inventory. The investment will safeguard their relevance as global expectations for tailored travel experiences continue to elevate.

The Road Ahead for NDC in Aviation

Transitioning to NDC platforms will require industry-wide collaboration and patience, but the rewards are a more adaptable and responsive journey for travelers and airlines alike. By successfully integrating NDC on every sector, whether domestic or intercontinental, Lufthansa Group is providing a blueprint that peers are already studying. Their progress encourages other carriers to accelerate their own NDC implementations.

Looking ahead, NDC will empower airlines to offer more granular pricing, strengthen direct communication with travelers, and create tailored itineraries that reflect individual preferences. These capabilities become essential competitive levers in a global market that demands differentiation. For travelers, NDC promises a richer array of choices, pricing that aligns to specific needs, and a booking interface that feels more intuitive and transparent.

Conclusion

Lufthansa Group’s pivot to NDC is more than a technical upgrade; it is a transformative shift in how products are presented and purchased in aviation. By embedding real-time pricing and personal relevance into the journey, the airline is staking its claim to leadership in next-generation travel. Ongoing refinement and a broader rollout will pave the way for NDC to become standard across fleets, ultimately redefining the airline experience for customers everywhere.