1 min read
The aviation industry is undergoing one of the most far-reaching transformations in its history. Concepts such as NDC and ONE Order promise a completely modernized world of retailing. But the reality is currently very different.
Most airlines are caught between two system worlds.
They are neither fully anchored in the legacy model nor have they fully arrived in the new retailing world. Instead, many operate in a hybrid system landscape that can be described as a "split-brain" state.
From legacy system to airline retailing
Traditional airline systems are based on:
- Passenger Name Records (PNRs)
- Filed Fares (e.g. ATPCO)
- Ticketing via ET/EMD
- Batch-driven processes
These systems are stable, but only flexible to a limited extent.
New airline retailing approaches, on the other hand, are based on:
- Dynamic real-time pricing
- Personalized offers
- Order-based data models
- Event-driven processes
This change enables innovation, but brings with it new integration and quality risks.
The reality: Hybrid airline system landscapes
A complete switchover is currently not realistic.
Instead, hybrid architectures are emerging:
- Legacy systems remain in place for central processes
- New retailing components complement existing structures
This coexistence leads to complex integration requirements.
Visualization of the "split-brain"
Figure: Split-brain system architecture in airline retailing
Where the greatest risks arise
The biggest challenges arise at the interfaces between legacy and retailing systems.
- Backward compatibility
New systems must remain compatible with existing processes. - Order lifecycle management
Dynamic changes must remain consistent across systems. - Dynamic pricing
Real-time pricing increases complexity and susceptibility to errors. - Real-time vs. batch
Different processing logics lead to synchronization problems. - Settlement & billing
New models are fundamentally changing financial processing.
Why the "split-brain" phase is critical
This transition phase is not an exceptional situation - it is the norm for the next few years.
Airlines must simultaneously:
- Drive innovation
- ensure stability
- continue to operate existing systems
This creates increased risks for data consistency, revenue security and customer experience.
Testing as a decisive success factor
Traditional test strategies are no longer sufficient.
What is needed is
- End-to-end tests across system boundaries
- Validation of data consistency
- Testing of real-time processes
- Validation of integration layers
- Validation of financial processes
Testing is thus becoming a key lever for successful airline transformation.
For the future, this means
The transformation to modern airline retailing is irreversible,but airlines are currently operating ina hybrid system world in which legacy and new technologies must function simultaneously.
Success depends not only oninnovation, but also on how well these systems are integrated,because the biggest challenge is to ensure that both worlds work together reliably.
This is where we can help you with our airline expertise.
