Delta and Air France-KLM Join Forces with NDC Interline Booking Expansion—A New Era for Transatlantic Travel

Published on January 9, 2026

Air France-KLM has announced a new phase in its collaboration with Delta Air Lines, extending its New Distribution Capability (NDC) offer to include interline bookings. This integration, which now allows passengers to book Delta-marketed flights alongside Air France and KLM transatlantic flights, is set to transform the way travelers book transatlantic flights between North America, South America, and the Caribbean.

The innovative system, developed by the airlines as part of a strategic partnership, means that customers will now be able to combine flights operated by both Air France-KLM and Delta into a single booking. This will simplify the process for travelers, who previously had to book multiple segments for connecting flights, especially on transatlantic routes.

The announcement marks a major milestone for the airlines as they continue to push the boundaries of airline booking technology and seek ways to enhance the overall customer experience. By incorporating NDC technology into their partnership, Air France-KLM and Delta are paving the way for more flexible and streamlined travel experiences, which are expected to have a significant impact on the future of global air travel.

NDC Integration: Enhancing the Customer Journey for Transatlantic Travel

The shift to NDC-based booking offers a more modernized approach to flight reservations. NDC, a new airline distribution standard, has been designed to enhance the way airlines communicate and distribute their products to travel agents, aggregators, and consumers. With the integration of NDC into Air France-KLM’s booking system, passengers will benefit from increased flexibility, as well as the ability to book multi-leg flights more efficiently.

For the first time, travelers can now book Delta-marketed flights and Air France or KLM flights that operate on the same transatlantic route using the airlines’ NDC channels. These interline bookings will now appear as a single reservation, which passengers can complete in one go, reducing the need for separate bookings or coordination. According to Air France-KLM, this seamless booking option is designed to create a more convenient experience for both leisure and business travelers flying between continents.

While this integration is primarily focused on transatlantic flights, it also marks a future possibility for expanding NDC interline services to other regions, paving the way for further cooperation between Air France, KLM, and Delta.

Tackling Operational Challenges with NDC Technology

One of the key benefits of the NDC system is its ability to address operational complexities faced by airlines when managing different booking systems. With the NDC interline integration, passengers can now enjoy easier travel planning without needing to worry about whether they are booking with one airline or another.

As of January 2026, Air France-KLM has rolled out NDC interline booking capabilities through Delta for long-haul routes between North America, South America, and the Caribbean. The airlines have worked closely with Delta to ensure that seamless communication exists between their systems, reducing the confusion that can sometimes arise when booking flights with different carriers.

What Travelers Can Expect from NDC-Based Bookings

Starting in 2026, travelers will find that Delta-marketed flights can now be conveniently combined with Air France or KLM transatlantic flights, offering a single ticket for both segments. This change will be particularly beneficial for passengers who frequently fly between Europe and North America, as well as those traveling to the Caribbean and South America.

However, it’s important to note that, while interline bookings can now be made via NDC, travelers will not be able to combine these bookings with traditional EDIFACT-based segments. This means that passengers booking through NDC channels will have to stick to NDC-compliant flights within the same booking, but they’ll still experience the convenience of combining two major airlines into a single reservation.

A Long-Term Vision: How NDC Is Shaping the Future of Airline Partnerships

This partnership between Air France-KLM and Delta signals a bigger shift in the airline industry towards a more digital and customer-centric future. With NDC technology at the heart of this transformation, the airlines are positioning themselves to lead the industry in terms of providing seamless, integrated booking experiences for passengers.

Looking ahead, Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines are both working to extend their NDC capabilities to more airline partners, with the hope of making interline travel even more seamless. In the coming years, travelers could see this expansion into other regions, which will help to increase international cooperation between airlines, providing customers with more flexible, convenient options for their global travels.

Conclusion: A Seamless, Modernized Future for Air Travel

The NDC interline booking expansion between Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines is a groundbreaking step forward for the airline industry, offering passengers a more streamlined and user-friendly experience when booking flights. The integration of NDC technology enhances flexibility and ensures smoother coordination between airlines, making transatlantic flights and other routes more accessible and easier to book. This development reflects a broader trend of digitally-driven innovations in the airline industry that will define the future of travel for years to come. Whether you’re flying across North America, to Europe, or the Caribbean, this new system will make your journey more connected and enjoyable, simplifying the booking process and enhancing your overall travel experience.

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