In a rapidly evolving travel landscape, real-time access to global flight, hotel, and transport inventory is no longer optional it’s essential. That’s where Travelport GDS API Integration Service plays a crucial role.

Whether you're running an OTA (Online Travel Agency), a corporate booking platform, or a niche travel startup, integrating a global distribution system (GDS) like Travelport can significantly streamline operations, boost inventory coverage, and improve the customer experience.

This blog unpacks what Travelport is, how its APIs work, the benefits of integration, and what a proper integration process looks like from a technical perspective.

What Is Travelport?

Travelport is a leading Global Distribution System (GDS), which connects travel service providers (airlines, hotels, car rental companies) with travel sellers (agencies, OTAs, platforms). Travelport offers access to a massive database of real-time travel content from:

Airlines (full-service and low-cost carriers)
Hotels and accommodation providers
Car rental companies
Rail and ancillary services

It supports multi-channel distribution through platforms like Galileo, Apollo, and Worldspan all of which fall under the Travelport umbrella.

Why Use Travelport GDS API?

Traditionally, travel agents used GDS terminals to make bookings. With APIs, this functionality is now accessible programmatically enabling automation, custom workflows, and digital customer experiences.

The Travelport GDS API Integration Service allows developers to:

Search and book flights in real time
Access seat maps, fare families, ancillaries
Manage PNRs (Passenger Name Records)
Book hotels and cars
Retrieve e-tickets, cancellations, and modifications
Access multi-language, multi-currency support

Key APIs Offered by Travelport

Here are the most used API categories from Travelport’s suite:

Air API

Search for availability based on location, date, fare class, etc.
Book and issue tickets
Handle cancellations, exchanges, and reissuance
Access branded fares and ancillary services (meals, baggage, seats)

Hotel API

Query availability and rates
Filter by amenities, star ratings, or chain
View cancellation policies
Confirm bookings

Car Rental API

Search, book, and cancel car rentals
View location availability, pricing, insurance options

Universal API

A unified API that combines air, hotel, and car services into a single integration point.

Technical Workflow: How Integration Works

Integrating Travelport APIs isn’t just about pulling some data. It involves secure authentication, structured messaging (usually XML or JSON), and careful business logic implementation.

Here’s a simplified overview:

Onboarding with Travelport
- You sign up as a developer partner or through an agency ID.
- Travelport provides credentials (API key, username, password).
Environment Setup
- Start in the test environment (UAT/sandbox).
- Later, you’ll move to the production environment after certification.
API Authentication
- Travelport APIs use SOAP-based messaging or REST with basic authentication.
- Each session typically involves a TargetBranch and PCC (Pseudo City Code).
Querying for Availability
- Send XML requests for flight/hotel search.
- Parse the response, display it to users in real-time.
Booking Flow
- Create a booking with customer details.
- Confirm and ticket the reservation.
- Handle post-booking operations (cancel, void, update).
PNR Management
- Retrieve, modify, or cancel reservations using the PNR locator.

Benefits of Travelport GDS API Integration

Global Inventory Access

Connect to over 400 airlines, 650,000 hotels, and 40+ car rental brands.

Real-Time Data

Instant updates on pricing, availability, and seat maps.

Automation

Automate the entire booking lifecycle from search to ticketing to post-sale operations.

Ancillary Revenue

Enable users to choose add-ons like bags, seats, meals boosting average booking value.

Multi-Channel Capability

Works for B2C websites, B2B agency portals, and mobile apps.

Challenges in Travelport Integration

Despite its power, integrating a GDS system like Travelport requires technical expertise. Some common hurdles include:

Complex API Structure

Travelport’s XML-based APIs can be verbose and have strict schema validation.

Credential Management

Each agency setup comes with specific PCCs and branch codes, which must be handled correctly across environments.

Dependency Management

Handling different fare rules, refund policies, ticketing conditions, and airline-specific quirks can become tricky.

UI/UX Considerations

GDS data must be transformed into a clean and user-friendly frontend experience especially for flight search or fare comparison screens.

Why Work with a Travelport GDS API Integration Service Provider?

Not every team has in-house experience with GDS protocols, ticketing workflows, or PNR systems. That’s where an expert Travelport GDS API Integration Service provider becomes crucial.

Here’s what such a provider brings to the table:

Domain Experience

They understand GDS logic, airline booking flow, and fare structures reducing the risk of errors and rejections.

Custom Workflow Support

Whether you need multi-city bookings, special fare deals, or travel agent dashboards, they can customize the flow.

Business Optimization

Integration partners can advise on caching, performance tuning, and fare markup strategies to improve profitability.

Testing and Certification

They manage test case execution, documentation, and Travelport certification, ensuring a smooth go-live process.

Maintenance & Updates

GDS APIs occasionally change formats or introduce new services. A service provider ensures your systems stay up to date.

Final Thoughts

In a world where travelers expect instant search, transparent pricing, and seamless booking, a robust back-end integration with Travelport GDS gives your travel business a competitive edge.

However, building that integration is not a weekend project. It involves navigating technical specs, handling real-time data, and ensuring system stability at scale.

Working with a reliable Travelport GDS API Integration Service provider helps reduce development time, improve accuracy, and build a more resilient travel product.

Whether you're a travel startup or a large OTA, connecting with a GDS like Travelport is a key step toward unlocking global inventory and automating the travel booking experience.

Travelport GDS API Integration Service: Powering the Future of Travel Booking