IATA Standards

Aviation industry standards and specifications for airline technology systems.

Scope

Distribution Standards

• NDC (New Distribution Capability)
• ONE Order
• PADIS (Passenger and Airport Data Interchange Standards)
• EDIFACT messaging

Operational Standards

• SSIM (Standard Schedules Information Manual)
• BCBP (Bar Coded Boarding Pass)
• APIS (Advance Passenger Information)
• BagMessage/BIX

Settlement Standards

• BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan)
• DISH (Data Interchange Specifications Handbook)
• ICH (IATA Clearing House)

Research Topics

• NDC 21.3 schema documentation
• ONE Order implementation guide
• SSIM Chapter 7 format
• BCBP Resolution 792 specifications
• PADIS message catalog
• BSP HOT file format
• Type B message specifications
• IATA coding standards (airports, airlines)

NDC (New Distribution Capability)

Schema Version 21.3

Current milestone version with:

• Full offer/order lifecycle
• Rich content support
• Interline capabilities
• Payment integration

Core Messages

Shopping:
├── AirShoppingRQ/RS
├── FlightPriceRQ/RS
├── OfferPriceRQ/RS
├── SeatAvailabilityRQ/RS
└── ServiceListRQ/RS

Order Management:
├── OrderCreateRQ / OrderViewRS
├── OrderRetrieveRQ / OrderViewRS
├── OrderChangeRQ / OrderViewRS
├── OrderCancelRQ/RS
└── OrderReshopRQ/RS

Servicing:
├── AirDocIssueRQ/RS
├── AirDocRefundRQ/RS
└── ItinReshopRQ/RS

ARM Index (Airline Retailing Maturity)

77 capabilities across 6 categories:

1. Shop (search, offers, content)
2. Order (create, modify, cancel)
3. Pay (forms of payment, refunds)
4. Settle (BSP, direct)
5. Account (loyalty, corporate)
6. Setup (configuration)

ONE Order

Resolution 797

Consolidates three legacy records:

• PNR (Passenger Name Record)
• E-Ticket
• EMD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document)

Order Data Model

Order
├── OrderID
├── OrderItems[]
│   ├── OrderItemID
│   ├── Services[]
│   │   ├── FlightService
│   │   ├── SeatService
│   │   └── BaggageService
│   ├── Price
│   └── Status
├── Passengers[]
│   ├── PaxID
│   ├── Name
│   ├── Contact
│   └── Documents[]
├── PaymentInfo
│   ├── Amount
│   └── Method
└── DataLists
    ├── FlightSegmentList
    └── ServiceDefinitionList

Order Lifecycle

Created → Confirmed → Paid → Ticketed → In-Progress → Completed
                                    ↓
                        Cancelled / On-Hold / Refunded

SSIM (Schedules)

Chapter 7 Format

200-byte fixed-width records:

Record Type 1: Carrier header
Record Type 2: Flight leg record
├── Positions 1: Record type (2)
├── Positions 2-3: Operational suffix
├── Positions 4-6: Airline code
├── Positions 7-10: Flight number
├── Positions 11-13: Service type
├── Positions 14-28: Period of operation
├── Positions 29-35: Days of operation
├── Positions 36-39: Departure station
├── Positions 40-43: Departure time
├── ...
Record Type 3: Segment data
Record Type 4: Trailer
Record Type 5: Notes

SSM/ASM Messages

• SSM: Schedule change (inter-season)
• ASM: Ad-hoc changes

BCBP (Boarding Pass)

Resolution 792 Version 8

Mandatory fields structure:

M1DESMARAIS/LUC       EABC123 YULFRAAC 0834 226F001A0025 100
│ │                   ││      │      │    │  │   │    │   │
│ │                   ││      │      │    │  │   │    │   └─ Version
│ │                   ││      │      │    │  │   │    └───── Sequence
│ │                   ││      │      │    │  │   └────────── Seat
│ │                   ││      │      │    │  └────────────── Julian date
│ │                   ││      │      │    └───────────────── Flight
│ │                   ││      │      └────────────────────── Carrier
│ │                   ││      └───────────────────────────── Route
│ │                   │└──────────────────────────────────── PNR
│ │                   └───────────────────────────────────── E-ticket indicator
│ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Passenger name
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Format + legs

Symbologies

Baggage Messaging

Type B Messages (RP 1745)

BSM (Baggage Source Message)
├── .V/ Version
├── .F/ Flight
├── .N/ Passenger name
├── .W/ Weight
└── .D/ Destination

BPM (Baggage Processed Message)
BTM (Baggage Transfer Message)
BUM (Baggage Unload Message)

BIX (XML-based)

Modern replacement with:

• Full XML structure
• Image attachments
• Geolocation
• Enhanced tracking

IATA Codes

Airport Codes (3-letter)

• IATA Location Identifier
• Used in reservations, ticketing

Airline Codes

• 2-letter designator (marketing)
• 3-digit accounting code (ticketing)

Standards Documents