generated: '2026-07-28'
method: searched
source: >-
  https://ndc.ba.com/start/build-and-test-the-api and https://ndc.ba.com/start/get-certified-and-go-live
  (routes in the NDC hub Angular router); archived
  https://developer.iairgroup.com/british_airways/plans/ndc_certification (2021-03-03 capture).
description: >-
  British Airways runs a real test environment for NDC — a partner develops against it, must
  demonstrate successful test bookings to British Airways' satisfaction, and only then receives
  live credentials. It is a gated sandbox, not a self-serve one: there is no public console, no
  anonymous playground, and no published magic test values. Everything below is what British
  Airways actually documents about the sandbox; no test identifier, card number, PNR or fare is
  invented here because none is published.
access:
  self_serve: false
  gate: registration + Trial Use Agreement + certification
  console_public: false
  note: >-
    The NDC hub's in-browser sandbox screens exist as Angular routes and are the only console
    British Airways offers, but they are behind a Microsoft Entra External ID login
    (see authentication/british-airways-authentication.yml).
modes:
  - name: test
    label: Shop and Order - test
    credential: client-key
    how_to_obtain: >-
      Register via the NDC ServiceDesk selecting "Issue a new key for Shop and Order - test"
      and accepting the British Airways API and Services Trial Use Agreement. The key is issued
      in a disabled state and enabled for test use only.
    verbatim: >-
      "Complete required fields, ensuring that you select 'Issue a new key for Shop and Order -
      test' and 'I agree to the terms of service' (British Airways API and Services Trial Use
      Agreement.)"
  - name: live
    credential: client-key
    how_to_obtain: >-
      Pass B1 (direct) or B2 (via an NDC Service Provider) certification, return the
      certification form to the NDC ServiceDesk, accept the Travel Agency Addendum if an IATA
      accredited agent, and sign the Live API Contracts tailored to your business activity.
    verbatim: >-
      "You will receive access to the live environment within 5 working days after contracts are
      signed by both parties."
certification:
  paths:
    - id: B1
      label: direct connection
      steps:
        - Register and accept the Trial Use Agreement
        - Receive a disabled client-key
        - Complete and return the B1 Certification Form to the NDC ServiceDesk
        - Accept the Travel Agency Addendum if an IATA accredited agent
        - Develop against the test environment using technical specifications sent by email
        - Demonstrate successful test bookings to British Airways' satisfaction
        - Sign Live API Contracts, countersigned by British Airways
    - id: B2
      label: via an NDC Service Provider
      steps:
        - Contract with an NDC Service Provider already connected to British Airways
        - Complete a B2 Certification Form and register via the NDC ServiceDesk
        - Accept the Trial Use Agreement, plus the Travel Agency Addendum if an IATA agent
        - Receive provisional then full certification
  docs:
    - https://ndc.ba.com/start/ndc-registrations
    - https://ndc.ba.com/start/build-and-test-the-api
    - https://ndc.ba.com/start/get-certified-and-go-live
technical_specifications:
  delivery: email
  public: false
  note: >-
    Technical specifications are sent to the registered email address after registration. They
    are not published, which is why no schema, WSDL or OpenAPI exists in openapi/.
test_values:
  published: false
  test_cards: null
  test_pnrs: null
  test_routes: null
  time_simulation: null
  note: >-
    No magic test values of any kind are published — no test card numbers, no test PNR record
    locators, no reserved test routes or fare families, no test clock. Whatever fixtures exist
    arrive with the emailed technical specifications under the Trial Use Agreement.
sandbox_message_surface:
  note: >-
    The hub's own sandbox screens are wired to these relative message paths (extracted from the
    application bundle). No host accompanies them.
  paths:
    - /AirShopping/17.2/V1
    - /OfferPrice/17.2/V2
    - /SeatAvailability/17.2/V2
    - /ServiceList/17.2/V1
    - /OrderCreate/17.2/V5
    - /OrderRetrieve/17.2/V3
    - /OrderChange/17.2/V4
    - /OrderCancel/17.2/V1
    - /OrderReshop/17.2/V3
related:
  - authentication/british-airways-authentication.yml
  - conventions/british-airways-conventions.yml
  - lifecycle/british-airways-lifecycle.yml