Today's flights booking landscape is more competitive than ever. Travel consumers are seeking not only affordable options but also flexibility in their itinerary plans. At Trip Ninja, we provide flight search solutions to empower Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) to offer cost-effective travel options, increase revenue, and stay ahead in the market. One of these solutions is our Virtual Interlining feature included in our SmartFlights API.

Overview

With Trip Ninja's Virtual Interlining solution, OTAs can achieve the below improvements using two sub-second API calls.

• $225 average savings on VI itineraries
• 15% reduction in itinerary price

The Power of Virtual Interlining:

Virtual Interlining is the process of combining non-interlined flights (i.e. flights from separate airlines that do not have a carrying agreement) into a single itinerary that can be less expensive than what a traveller might find on offer from without virtual interlining. Traditionally, savvy travellers have manually constructed such itineraries to increase options and lower costs. With Trip Ninja's technology, OTAs can now provide an automated and seamless booking experience to their entire customer base while leveraging the power of Virtual Interlining.

Tapping into Travellers' Preferences

According to a study from OAG [1], 92% of travellers are willing to self-connect flights under the right circumstances. Furthermore, 37% of all travellers are willing to endure layovers exceeding four hours to save $200, a figure that jumps to 55% for millennials. These statistics underline the immense potential for OTAs to cater to travellers' preferences and capitalize on the cost-saving appeal of Virtual Interlining.

Key Benefits for OTAs:

1. Substantial Cost Savings: By utilizing Virtual Interlining, travellers can experience an average savings of $225 on their itineraries. This translates into a significant competitive advantage for OTAs, as cost-conscious travellers are increasingly drawn to agencies that can deliver substantial savings.
2. Increased Revenue through Markups: Virtual Interlining not only benefits travellers but also presents a lucrative opportunity for OTAs to generate higher revenues. Trip Ninja's revenue management system, combined with Virtual Interlining, utilizes machine learning to determine the optimal markup for each trip. This approach strikes a balance between increasing conversions and maximizing markups, resulting in increased Revenue Per Search  for OTAs.

How Trip Ninja Approaches VI Differently:

1. Risk Control for Virtually Interlined Flights: Trip Ninja's technology seamlessly connects flights from various airlines into one itinerary and enables risk control so the OTA can choose the risk profile right for them and their customers.
2. Advanced Routing Algorithms: Leveraging sophisticated routing algorithms, Trip Ninja analyzes numerous flight options to identify the most efficient routes for travellers. By considering factors such as flight duration, layover times, and cost, optimized itineraries are generated, saving valuable time and effort.
3. Limitless content Integration: Trip Ninja's technology integrates with content from major Global Distribution Systems (GDS) like Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, as well as NDC and LCC content providers. By leveraging your content, Trip Ninja enhances the choices available to travellers.
4. Free Revenue Management Tool: All API integrations include a free machine-learning driven revenue management system to maximize the savings produced from virtual interlining itineraries to earn your OTA greater revenue per search.
5. Seamless Integration and Support: Implementing Trip Ninja's Virtual Interlining API is a straightforward process. The user-friendly API, supported by comprehensive documentation and a dedicated support team, ensures a seamless integration experience for OTAs.

Trip Ninja's Virtual Interlining technology is reshaping the travel industry by offering OTAs a competitive edge. With the ability to construct virtually interlined itineraries worldwide, OTAs can provide cost-effective options that resonate with travellers seeking savings and flexibility. By integrating Trip Ninja's API, OTAs can leverage the power of Virtual Interlining to convert and retain customers. Embracing this technology is not only a way to stay ahead but also a means to unlock new possibilities in the ever-evolving world of travel.

If you would like to learn more about how Trip Ninja can help you harness the full power of your content with Virtual Interlining, we encourage you to check out our website or set up a meeting with our sales team at www.tripninja.io.

Links:

1. https://www.oag.com/blog/airline-passengers-embrace-self-connection