What is a GDS Anyway?
Travelport’s self-service portal for requesting support, accessing tools, and finding key travel insights
Let’s start with the basics. A Global Distribution System (GDS) is like the ultimate travel matchmaker — connecting travel suppliers (airlines, hotels, car rentals) with travel sellers (agencies, OTAs, TMCs). It’s the tech backbone that powers the travel industry.
Here's how a GDS works:
01
Search
A travel agent enters a query — say, flights from NYC to London.
02
Book
The GDS finds the best options, confirms availability, and books it.
03
Service
Need to change a seat, cancel, or rebook? The GDS handles that too.
So, how does travelport work?
Travelport is a GDS — but we’re not just any GDS. We’re a modern, AI-powered platform built for today’s travel industry.
Travelport+
A Modern Retailing Platform
Everything runs on Travelport+, our modern retailing platform that brings together:
Multi-source content
(air, hotel, car, rail, NDC, LCCs, and more)
Modern API's
for seamless integration
Retailing tools
to help you sell smarter
Servicing capablities
to manage bookings with ease
Whether you’re using our Smartpoint Desktop, Smartpoint Cloud, or connecting via APIs, Travelport+ gives you one powerful way to search, book, and service travel content.
Where does the content come from?
We partner with global suppliers to bring you the best content — and we do it in a smarter way:
- Traditional GDS content via EDIFACT and using fares filed in ATPCO
- API content via NDC and modern airline APIs
- Hotel and car traditional GDS content along, with additional aggregated content for hotel and rail
- Non-GDS tools like Deem for corporate travel and advertising tools for suppliers
All of it flows into our Content Curation Layer, which normalizes, enriches, and displays content in a clean, consistent format — so agents can shop and compare with confidence.
Why Travelport+? Here's the value
More efficiency, more control
With Travelport+, you get one smart platform — powered by AI — that brings together all the content you need, including NDC. That means fewer errors, faster workflows, and more control over your revenue and operations.
Better experiences, bigger edge
Innovation moves fast — and so do we. Travelport helps you deliver smoother, smarter experiences for your customers, giving you a competitive edge that keeps you ahead of the curve.
Support that’s actually supportive
From day one, we’ve got your back. Our onboarding is hands-on, our training is tailored, and our support teams are always ready to help your business (and your people) thrive.
Who benefits?
01
Travel agents
Faster workflows, better content, happier customers.
02
Suppliers
Greater reach, better merchandising, smarter distribution.
03
Travellers
More choice, better service, smoother journeys.
Modern retailing, amplified Easier, faster , smarter
Contact our sales team to find out more
