How much does it cost to develop a flight booking app?

These days people are always on the move, and the internet has made traveling relatively more accessible for them around the globe.

Booking flights has become convenient and accessible for people as it is just a click away, due to which the demand for flight booking apps has increased.

Thus, making it a profitable market for businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking forward to investing in such projects.

As someone who loves traveling know well how a flight booking mobile app can be a game-changer for the travel industry.

Due to the rise in technology and the convenience of mobile apps, having your flight booking app can be a lucrative business opportunity.

The flight booking app market is competitive, with several established players such as Expedia and Kayak.

Still, there is room for new entrants in the market with new development ideas that makes the app unique.

One of the best trends in the industry is personalization, such as apps offering tailored recommendations and notifications per user’s preferences.

Another trend is integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the user experience.

Thus, you can develop a successful flight booking app by staying up to date on industry trends, research, and hard work.

However, flight booking app development is a challenging task. To develop one, you need to invest considerable time, effort, and money to get it right.

In this ultimate guide, we will discuss developing a flight booking app in-depth, and you will get all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Why do we need a Flight Booking Mobile App?

This means that having a mobile app is essential for businesses in the travel industry.

In addition, mobile apps offer a more seamless experience for customers, allowing them to easily book flights in a few seconds, manage reservations, and access information on the go.

Thus, having a flight booking mobile app helps customers receive real-time updates on flight delays or even cancellations, letting them adjust their travel plans.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Developing a Flight Booking App

The cost of flight booking app development is based on several factors, like app complexity because the more complex the app is, the more time and effort it will take to develop, adding to the cost and making it higher.

Another factor is the platform on which you have decided to develop an app.

For example, developing an app for iOS is generally costlier than Android because iOS apps require more coding and are subject to strict guidelines set by Apple.

The app design is also crucial in determining the app development cost—the more complex the design, the more time and effort are required at the development end.

The app development cost is also influenced by the features and functionalities the app offers.

Developing a basic flight booking app may cost less than adding features such as hotel booking, car rental, and travel insurance.

Understanding the App Development Process

Developing a flight booking app involves several stages, each contributing to the overall cost.

1. Understanding the market and competition

Before creating a flight booking mobile app, it’s important to understand the market and competition.

Research the existing apps in the market and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Look for gaps in the market that your app can fill.

Additionally, consider the target audience for your app and what they are looking for in a flight booking app.

You can create a unique and successful app by understanding the market and competition.

2. Design

In the design stage, developers design the app’s user interface and user experience. In this stage, wireframes and prototypes are created to represent the app visually.

3. Development

Next is the mobile app development stage. The development process involves coding and testing in order to ensure the app functions as expected.

4. Launch

The launch stage comes when the app is ready to be released to the market.

This stage involves submitting the app to the respective app stores and ensuring that it meets the guidelines set by the app store.

Business Models for Flight Tickets Booking App

1. Aggregator Model

Travel booking apps mainly adopt the aggregator business model, which is widely accepted.

It enables users to compare rates and airline itineraries and book flights at a reasonable cost.

The app acts as a mediator between customers and airlines, earning a commission from every booking made through its platform.

2. Dedicated Model

In contrast to the aggregator model, the dedicated approach involves collaboration between an app and either a single airline or a group of airlines to offer their services to consumers.

This approach allows consumers to use the app to manage their reservations with the associated airline(s) and enjoy a smooth travel experience.

The main benefit of this dedicated model is the ability to provide a seamless booking and travel experience through the airline’s app.

Key features for a successful flight booking app

User experience and booking process efficiency can significantly improve by including various features in a flight booking app.

Users can use different search parameters and filters to find the best flight options that match their preferences and requirements.

It is crucial to incorporate these features to ensure a seamless booking experience for users.

1. Interface

The app must be user-friendly and uncomplicated for users to easily search for and reserve flights.

2. Easy sign-up

To register on the app, users should have the option to use their official email address and phone number. Additionally, the app should provide the facility to sign up using social media accounts.

3. Profile Verification

After signing up for the application using their official email address, users need to authenticate their identity by entering a security code sent to either their phone number or email address.

4. Flight Search

For the convenience of customers, the application should have search features that enable them to find the most suitable flight options based on their desired destination, travel date, and budget.

5. Secure Payment Gateway

For transactions to take place through the app, it is crucial to have a payment gateway that is reliable and secure.
Also, Read | Top 10 Payment APIs to Manage Monetary Transactions on Mobile App

6. Ratings and Reviews

To make well-informed travel decisions, users can browse through reviews that cover a range of airlines, accommodations, and other relevant information.

7. Flight Management

The application should allow administrators to manage flight-related information, such as schedules, availability, and pricing.

8. Booking Management

The application should enable administrators to manage user bookings, cancellations, and reimbursements without leaving out any relevant details.

9. Artificial intelligence (AI) integration

The application must utilize AI technology to provide personalized vacation recommendations and locate the best deals.

10. Virtual Reality

To enhance the user’s experience, the application should offer comprehensive 360-degree tours of airplane cabins and airports.

11. Social Media Integration

Users should be able to share information regarding their travel plans and experiences through social media platforms using the app.

Cost Breakdown of App Development

The cost of developing a flight booking app can vary depending on the complexity of the app and the features it offers.

However, if you are planning to develop a basic flight booking app it will cost between $50,000 to $100,000, while developing a complex app can cost around $250,000.

The cost breakdown of app development typically includes the cost of hiring developers, designers, and project managers.

Additionally, there are costs associated with server hosting, third-party integrations, and app store fees.

Additional Costs to Consider

In addition to the development costs, other costs are associated with the development process, such as marketing/ advertising costs, legal fees, insurance costs, etc.

Strategies to Reduce the Cost of Developing a Flight Booking App

There are various strategies that businesses can use to reduce flight booking app development costs.

One such is hiring third-party mobile app development services.

Outsourcing an app development company can be more cost-effective than hiring an in-house team, as you do not need to pay for salaries, benefits, and overhead costs.

Another strategy is pre-built templates and modules.

Using these templates and modules in an app can save time and effort, reducing the overall development cost.

Outsourcing vs. In-house Development: Which is More Cost-Effective?

Deciding whether to outsource the development process or hire an in-house team is critical and can affect overall app development costs.

Outsourcing is cost-effective, as hiring and managing an in-house team is unnecessary. Additionally, outsourcing can provide access to broader skills and expertise.

Moreover, hiring an in-house development team can be more beneficial in the long run as it gives you more control over the development process.

The in-house team can provide more personalized support and faster response times.

Monetization Strategies for a Flight Booking Mobile App

There are several monetization strategies for a flight booking mobile app.

Commission

One of the most common is commissions on flight bookings. This means that the app charges a commission on each flight booking made through the app.

The described business model is appropriate for applications that facilitate the booking of flights, as well as additional services such as transportation, lodging, and travel insurance.

The software provides users with convenience through its ability to function as a comprehensive platform for trip planning.

The app can also enhance its revenue by expanding the range of services it offers.

Advertising

Another strategy is advertising.

This can be done by displaying ads within the app or partnering with other companies to display their ads.

The software earns money whenever a user clicks on an ad or views it for a set period.

The application generates revenue through advertising by providing businesses with a platform to reach a large audience.

Additionally, some apps offer premium features for a fee, such as access to exclusive deals or faster check-in.

Thus, it’s important to consider the monetization strategy that best aligns with your business goals and target audience.

Case Studies: How Successful Flight Booking Apps Were Developed

Various flight booking apps have been developed in recent years and are successful.

Skyscanner’s app, developed in 2003, has become one of the most popular flight-booking apps in the market.

This app succeeded by focusing on the user experience by providing a simple and intuitive interface.

Another example is Hopper, which was developed in 2015 and successfully provided users with real-time updates on flight prices and used machine learning algorithms to predict future flight prices.

Conclusion

Developing a flight booking app can be profitable for businesses and entrepreneurs.

However, if you are planning to develop one, you need to invest your time, effort, and money.

This guide has discussed factors that affect development cost, its stages, and so on.

Thus, understanding these factors will help you decide whether to develop a flight booking app and how to proceed with the development process.