NDCTerm vs Duffel

Duffel is a developer-first NDC API for builders. NDCTerm is an agent-first cryptic terminal for travel agents. Both touch NDC content — but the audience and the shape of the work are different.

At a glance

Capability Duffel NDCTerm
Primary user Developer building a product Travel agent making a booking
Interface JSON API + components Cryptic command terminal
NDC content Yes Yes
Typical use case Embed flight booking in another app Book directly as an agent
Engineering required Yes — you build on top None — you log in and type
Pricing Per-transaction, public TBD — in limited release
Setup Self-serve, sign up & build Invitation / partnership

Code vs cryptic

Searching for a flight in Duffel means writing code. In NDCTerm, it's a single command. Same content, different shape.

Duffel — build it yourself
// Create an offer request
const request = await duffel.offerRequests.create({
  slices: [
    {
      origin: 'JFK',
      destination: 'LAX',
      departure_date: '2026-11-15',
    },
  ],
  passengers: [{ type: 'adult' }],
  cabin_class: 'economy',
});

// Then fetch offers, present to user, create order…
NDCTerm — just type
> 15NOVJFKLAX
Searching JFK → LAX · 15 Nov · All carriers…
  1  AA   1   08:00  11:30  Nonstop
  2  UA 269   09:15  12:35  Nonstop
  3  B6 524   10:45  14:15  Nonstop
> 1
> -DOE/JOHN MR
> WP
> 2ER
Booked. PNR: ABC123

When to use which

Duffel is the right tool when…

  • You're a developer or product team embedding flight search and booking into your own application.
  • You need a programmatic interface to manage offers, orders, ancillaries, and post-booking servicing.
  • Your end users are travelers or expense systems, not agents.
  • You want public per-transaction pricing and self-serve onboarding.

NDCTerm is the right tool when…

  • You're a travel agent who books directly — not a developer building a product.
  • You think in cryptic and want NDC content without the GDS contract overhead.
  • You want the speed of a terminal with the offers of NDC.
  • You don't want to maintain code; you want to type a command and get an offer.

Different tools, different jobs. Duffel for builders, NDCTerm for agents.

FAQ

>Are Duffel and NDCTerm direct competitors?+

Not really. Duffel is a developer-first API for building travel products. NDCTerm is an agent-first cryptic terminal for booking flights. Both deal with NDC content, but the user is different — a developer integrating travel into another product, versus a travel agent making a booking.

>Can a travel agent use Duffel directly?+

Duffel is designed for engineers writing code. An agent can't open Duffel and type a cryptic command — they'd need an application built on top of it. NDCTerm is the application; agents can use it directly.

>Does NDCTerm have an API like Duffel?+

Today NDCTerm is focused on the agent-facing terminal. We don't expose a public API. If your need is to embed flight booking into your own product, Duffel is purpose-built for that.

See if NDCTerm fits the way you book

NDCTerm is in limited release. Tell us how you'd use it and we'll be in touch.

Request Access

Compare with: Sabre · Amadeus · Travelport