United Airlines and Travelport have established a strategic partnership aimed at transforming airline retailing through advanced technology collaboration. This new model of cooperation enables both companies to work closely on developing innovative capabilities for travel agencies and corporate buyers, marking a shift from traditional airline-distributor relationships.
Under this agreement, Travelport will gain early access to United’s NDC technology roadmap and collaborate in co-developing new features, including digital retailing enhancements. United Vice President Andrew Nocella stated that this partnership helps ensure that travel agencies benefit from the most sophisticated merchandising tools, setting a new standard in transparency, flexibility, and value.
Travelport will also incorporate United’s Online Booking Tool (OBT) extras into its platform, allowing functionalities like pooling unused travel credits, enrolling in loyalty programs, and using amenities as payment options. The collaboration’s phased rollout is set to begin in early 2026, with additional features introduced throughout the year. United will deploy support teams to assist agencies during the transition and proprietary technology adoption.
Greg Webb, CEO of Travelport, emphasized that combining United’s NDC capabilities with Travelport’s platform will deliver richer content and better service solutions worldwide, significantly advancing airline retailing for travel agencies and corporate clients. The partnership aims to accelerate deployment of innovative features, benefiting the entire travel distribution channel and marking a significant milestone in airline retail evolution.
