Key Features Travel Agents Should Look for in a Flight Booking API

The best flight booking API allows travel agencies to offer seamless flight reservations, real-time pricing, and instant bookings. By integrating a reliable API, businesses can enhance user experience, reduce errors, and streamline operations.

Statista hints that the expected number of users in this market will rise to 1.39bn users by 2029. As a result, B2B and B2C businesses have started adopting advanced travel tech innovations to scale their operations. Thankfully, it’s not as hard as it sounds, as TMCs, DMCs, and OTAs can do the same for their flight booking portals and grow exponentially.

But with so many options out there, sometimes it’s hard to determine which flight booking API will suit your travel portal. Don’t worry, as this blog will help in identifying the key features every travel agent should look for in a flight booking API. We’ll not only discuss the applications of such advanced APIs but also how OneClick is redefining the future of travel tech.

Why Travel Agencies Need the Best Flight Booking API for Growth?

Before we get to the good stuff, let’s first try to understand what the whole facade about. Why do so many travel agencies are rushing to integrate API for booking flights into their portal? Here are some reasons why:

1. Updated Information

First of all, flight booking API enriches the travel portal with real-time information. This allows their customers to check flight flight availability, pricing, and schedules with maximum accuracy. What’s more, travel portals and OTAs can use this information to notify their customers about fare drops or seat availability.

2. Reduced Manual Work

API for booking flights is equally advantageous for businesses as well. They save the teams from the manual hassle of handling user data like cross-checking airline websites or manually updating reservations. This helps the business to focus on important tasks like making customer relationships stronger than before.

3. Error-Free Bookings

It’s very important for small B2B and B2C businesses to handle their operations without any errors. When done manually, there are chances of misspelling a name or recording an incorrect date. But not with a flight booking API as it validates data in real-time resulting in reducing error by over 90%.

4. Customized Packages

Another important benefit that businesses get by using a flight booking API provider is the ability to offer multiple customized packages. Portals often bundle flights with hotels, car rentals, or experiences, creating tailored itineraries that meet unique client preferences. Some even provide an end-to-end travel solution that offers everything such as flights+activities+hotel.

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Key Features Travel Agents Should Look for in a Flight Booking API

Choosing an all-rounder API for an air ticket booking portal is not so simple. There are multiple factors to be considered before making this decision. To help you with the same, below we’ve discussed some prominent features to look for in a flight booking API solution that sets the best apart:

Real-Time Data

The first and maybe the most crucial element of a third-party API is data. Customers should get access to real-time flight data when they visit your portal. Everything from live status to fares should be updated regularly. Hence, look for flight booking API providers like OneClick, who provide updated data to avoid overbookings and missed opportunities.

Global Coverage

Customers should have access to multiple airlines to make informed decisions. Travel agents can ensure this by incorporating an API that sources information from multiple airlines, GDSs, aggregators, and OTAs. OneClick has access to more than 500 airlines with multiple global routes so users can pick from budget regional flights to luxury international travel.

Flexible Pricing Options

Not every customer is the same. All have different preferences and budget constraints. Hence, it’s important to choose a flight booking API provider that enables your portal to provide competitive fares, seasonal discounts, or loyalty rewards. Dynamic pricing helps to connect with the users on a deeper level and fosters strong relationships.

Easy Integration

Before integrating an API into your portal, carefully analyze its documentation. You must only consider the flight booking APIs that come with pre-built SDKs as the integration process becomes seamless with existing booking engines or CRM systems.

Customization

Consider the possibility of upgrading your portal or API integration with time. With a growing user base, you’ll require it in the future. Hence, only go for API for booking flights that provide the ability to white-label the API, add branded interfaces, or modify the workflow. This will help you in the long run.

Additional Features

As we discussed a few important factors that you should not overlook while selecting a flight booking API provider, here are some additional features that can come in handy for your travel portal.

• Global Airfare: Access to the best fares globally.
• Seat Layout: Ability to view and select seat layouts.
• Add-On Services: Options for baggage, meals, and other extras.
• Real-Time PNR Generation: Instant confirmation of bookings.
• Web Check-In: Facilitate easy check-in for clients.
• Online Rescheduling and Cancellation: Provide flexibility for changes.
• Multiple Payment Options: Support for various payment methods.
• Multilingual API: Cater to a global audience.
• Multi-Currency Support: Enable transactions in different currencies.

How to Get a Flight Booking API for Travel Agents

Here’s how travel agents can integrate a flight booking API into their systems. Let’s quickly go through the entire process:

Step 1: Research Providers

Before making a decision, carefully analyze and compare everything from features to pricing. Also, take a brief moment to go through all customer reviews and testimonials. 

Step 2: Request Demos

Once you’ve finalized a flight booking API provider either request a demo or schedule an onboarding to discuss your requirements with the team.

Step 3: Negotiate Contracts

If the second step goes as planned, it’s time to negotiate the terms. Only go for flight booking API providers with transparent pricing and who can help you scale your portal in the future. You can consider both subscription vs. pay-per-use based models.

Step 4: Train Your Team

Once the API is integrated into your flight booking portal, schedule sessions with your team to maximize the API utilization. Ensure everyone on the team understands the capabilities of your portal with API.

Partner with OneClick for a Future-Ready Flight Booking API

While many APIs offer basic features, OneClick stands out by blending innovation with reliability. Here’s why forward-thinking agencies choose OneClick:

1. AI-Powered Personalization

OneClick’s API uses machine learning to recommend flights, seats, and add-ons personalized for each customer. An important number of frequent business travelers, for example, might receive automatic upgrades to premium economy.

2. Voice Search Integration

This offers clients considerably improved access to voice-enabled booking options. This allows them to conveniently search for flights using natural language, such as “Find me a morning flight to Paris under $500”.

3. Blockchain Security

OneClick’s strong blockchain technology securely encrypts transactions and passenger name record (PNR) data, providing considerably improved fraud protection. Additionally, it’s CCPA and GDPR-compliant.

4. Sustainability Metrics

A meaningful number of ecologically conscious travelers are attracted by prominently featured carbon footprint calculators. Our solution allows customers to choose airlines with considerably lower emissions or compensate for their travel’s large ecological effect.

5. 24/7 API Support

OneClick’s dedicated technical team offers around-the-clock API support. This team, composed of several engineers, resolves many issues immediately to reduce downtime, as well as improve agent productivity.

6. Omnichannel Accessibility

OneClick’s API integrates smoothly with many websites, several mobile apps, and a collection of chatbots to provide a unified client experience.

Elevate Your Travel Business with the Right Flight Booking API

The right flight booking API is more than a tool, it’s a strategic partner that drives growth, efficiency, and client satisfaction. Travel agents can future-proof their operations by prioritizing features like real-time data, global reach, and customization. OneClick takes this a step further with AI, voice search, and blockchain, positioning your agency as a leader in the digital travel era.

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