With Tripsource advancements and growing list of content partners, BCD expands serviceable travel content to clients through the channels they prefer

Direct connect with United Airlines reinforces BCD’s Open by Design approach, expanding content access while supporting policy compliance, traveler safety and program integrity

UTRECHT, The Netherlands, August 3, 2026 – BCD today announced advancements in its global vision to deliver clients the travel content they ask for through the channels they prefer. Enabled by a new generation of the Tripsource platform, announced recently, BCD provides clients access to content from multiple sources through a single connected experience.

“We believe the future of travel distribution is not about a single content source or booking channel,” said James Celani-Smith, vice president of Supplier Management & Delivery with BCD. “Instead, it requires a flexible ecosystem capable of bringing together content, technology and servicing in ways that work for managed travel programs. This includes a robust strategy around NDC.”

BCD combines content from direct connections, global distribution systems, aggregators and other sources. The company’s direct-connect architecture is built on Tripsource and an Accelya API and powered by the flexibility of Model Context Protocol. It provides a scalable foundation that powers flexibility to onboard future carriers and content sources as distribution models evolve. The result is expected to deliver broader access to content, fares and servicing capabilities, helping clients navigate a rapidly changing travel landscape with confidence.

BCD has supported direct-connect capabilities since 2019, when it was the first to launch a direct connection with one of Europe’s leading airlines. Today, the company supports multiple direct connections across air, rail and hotel providers as part of its broader content strategy.

An early enabler of NDC content for travel programs, BCD has established a strong position in NDC distribution, with more than 65% of itineraries globally booked through NDC where enabled. With 22 airlines already live through BCD’s NDC ecosystem, including United Airlines, clients are achieving NDC adoption rates of up to 80% of air bookings.

Direct connect with United Airlines

In an effort to continually expand access to the content clients require, BCD entered an agreement with United Airlines that provides access to the airline’s content through a direct connection. The agreement represents the latest milestone in BCD’s Open by Design approach, giving clients access to the content they need through the channels they choose while maintaining the serviceability, program integrity and duty of care capabilities required by managed travel programs.

The direct connect will be available through both online and offline channels via BCD’s AI-powered open platform, Tripsource. It supports BCD’s commitment to providing clients with seamless access to relevant content across the travel ecosystem.

“BCD has been a valued partner in helping corporate customers navigate the evolving distribution landscape,” said Jeff Christensen, Managing Director of Global Distribution Strategy with United Airlines. “This agreement brings together United’s modern retailing capabilities and BCD’s Tripsource platform to provide travelers with broader access to our content and a more seamless shopping and servicing experience.”

BCD’s modern retailing strategy extends well beyond NDC. The architecture that supports the United Airlines direct connection is a key component of its long-term vision. Through Tripsource, BCD has already established the Order Management foundation needed to support the industry’s transition to One Order, a cornerstone for the future of airline retailing.