How to Develop a Flight Booking App Like Saudia?

Imagine that your long-awaited trip to Maldives is finally happening! You’ve got the ideal itinerary in your mind – beach sunsets, all-you-can-eat seafood, and no emails from your manager. 

The last thing left? Yes, booking your flight! But instead of a smooth, hassle-free experience, you’re stuck juggling through a sea of clunky apps, surprise fees, and ancient interfaces. Frustrating, no?

That’s why high-flying airlines such as Saudia invest so much in custom flight booking app development – so that passengers enjoy a hassle-free, seamless experience. Witnessing the global online travel book market hit $833.5 billion by 2025, anyone who steps into the market of getting a flight booking app is surely going to play in dollars! 

Saying that, fasten your seatbelts because we are going to deconstruct everything right from the  market trends to every other thing you may need to know along the way!  

Understanding the Flight Booking App Landscape

Before going into development, it is important to see where the airline and tourism sector is scaling today.

Current Market Trends in the Airline Industry

• Mobile bookings are soaring – More than 70% of travelers now book flights via mobile apps. If your airline doesn’t have an app, you’re missing out on a huge revenue stream.
• AI-powered personalization is the future. Travelers expect their apps to remember their preferences, suggest the best flights, and even offer discounts based on previous searches.
• Eco-conscious travel is a rising trend. Airlines incorporating carbon footprint calculators and sustainable travel options are gaining a competitive edge.

Key Features of a Successful Flight Booking App  

Now that we’ve established why flight booking apps are a must-have let’s get into the nitty-gritty. What makes a flight booking app successful? If you’re thinking, “Well, as long as users can book flights, we’re good, right?”—think again!

A high-quality flight booking app development project is not merely about ticket booking; it’s about delivering a hassle-free, smooth travel experience. 

Here are the features your app should have to ensure users return.

• User Registration and Profile Management

No one wants to complete forms every time they book a flight. Your app must have fast sign-up alternatives, including Google, Apple ID, and social media authentication. 

You’ll earn extra points if you allow users to store their passport information, frequent flyer numbers, and payment details for a one-tap reservation experience.

• Advanced Flight Search and Booking Functionality

Customers ought to be able to sort flights based on price, airline, departure, layovers, baggage allowance, and even the availability of in-flight WiFi. 

Why? To provide them with the flexibility and control to book the ideal flight without having to keep switching between 20 tabs.

• Secure Payment Gateway Integration

If your payment system isn’t fluid, your customers will leave their carts quicker than an airplane hitting turbulence. 

Use multiple payment methods such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and even cryptocurrency (for the tech-happy audience). 

Make sure transactions are quick, secure, and provide multi-currency support. 

• Real-Time Flight Status Updates

No one likes to reach the airport to discover that their flight has been pushed back three hours. 

Your app should provide real-time alerts for gate changes, cancellations, delays, and boarding notifications. The top apps even provide live flight tracking maps for users who prefer to be in the driver’s seat. 

• Loyalty Programs and Rewards

Who doesn’t want freebies? A good loyalty program that rewards regular flyers with points, rebates, or complimentary upgrades can make users addicted. Allow users to view and redeem their miles or points easily within the app.

• Customer Support and Assistance

Problems happen missed flights, last-minute cancellations, baggage issues. If your customer support isn’t easily accessible, you’re going to have some very angry users. Offer live chat, call support, and even AI-powered chatbots to handle queries 24/7.  

Steps to Develop a Flight Booking App

So, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and build a custom flight booking app? Wonderful! But before you begin slinging code around, you need a good road map. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your app happen:

• Conduct Market Research

You can’t create an app and hope that people will fall in love with it. Learn about your target market, observe competitors (such as Saudia, Emirates, and Qatar Airways), and figure out what’s lacking in current apps.

• Define the Business Model

How do you plan to generate revenue? You can opt for:

• Commission-based model – Get a percentage on each booking.
• Subscription-based model – Pay a monthly subscription for upgraded features.
• Affiliate partnerships – Partner with hotels, car hire companies, and travel agents.

• Get Your Development Team Together

You will require:

• UI/UX designers (to ensure the app looks and feels spectacular)
• Frontend & Backend developers (to have it working like a dream)
• QA testers (to spot the bugs before your users do)

• Create the User Interface (UI/UX)

An intuitive, beautiful design is paramount. Consider it your app’s initial impression—don’t let it down!

• Build & Integrate APIs

Integrate with airline databases, payment gateways, and third-party services to get live flight data.

• Test & Launch

Prior to broadcasting, try the app out on various devices, correct bugs, and start with a promotion campaign.

Here’s a summary of whatever we said above!  

Challenges in Flight Booking App Development

Developing a custom flight booking app is a thrilling idea, but let’s get real—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows (or takeoffs and landings). 

There are a few challenges that can put a damper on your plans. But don’t fret! We’re here to dissect them and, more importantly, explain how to overcome them.

• Real-Time Data Synchronization

• The Problem: Flight fares, availability, and timetables fluctuate every second. If your app displays old data, users will be irate and go elsewhere for their business. 
• The Solution: Embed Global Distribution Systems (GDS) APIs such as Amadeus, Sabre, or Travelport to retrieve real-time flight information. These APIs keep your app current.

• High Competition in the Market

• The Problem: The travel space is saturated with large players such as Expedia, Kayak, and Google Flights. How do you differentiate?
• The Solution: Provide something different! Consider features such as personalized AI-powered flight recommendations, sustainable travel options, or single-click rescheduling.

• Secure Payments

• The Problem: Processing credit card information makes your app a target for cyber crooks, and a security breach will ruin your reputation.
• The Solution: To secure user transactions, utilize PCI-DSS-compliant payment gateways (such as Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay) and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  

• Supporting Multiple Currencies and Languages

• The Problem: If you aspire for a global audience, listing prices in USD alone is not sufficient. You have to support multiple currencies and languages.
• The Solution: Incorporate currency converters and localization features to show content in various languages and currencies according to user location.

• Managing Cancellations & Refunds

• The Problem: Flight cancellations and refund requests are logistical headaches. A poor refund experience will turn users against your app.
• The Solution: Automate refund processing through smart algorithms that establish eligibility and process refunds without human intervention.

How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Flight Booking App?

Let’s talk money! Developing a custom flight booking app may not come cheaply, but its return on investment (ROI) can be substantial if done right. 

The total costs of this venture depend on several factors, including features, team size, development location, and tech stack.

• Factors Affecting Development Cost

1.1 App Complexity

• A basic app with a simple user interface and payment integration costs between $25,000 and $50,000
• Complex apps with loyalty programs, real-time tracking capabilities, multiple payment options, and real-time tracking may cost between $50,000 and $100,000 to develop.
• Advanced App (AI-based recommendations, multilingual capabilities, and currency conversion) can cost you $100,000+ in Investment

1.2 Development Team and Location

• Hiring freelancers is cost-effective but lacks scalability. 
• Outsourcing to Eastern Europe/Asia can cost $30-$70/hour with high-quality output.
• US-based teams tend to cost between $100-$200 per hour but produce superior work.

1.3 Tech Stack Used

Your choice of technology impacts costs. A typical flight booking app development stack includes:

• Frontend: React Native, Flutter (cost-effective, cross-platform).
• Backend: Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails.
• Database: PostgreSQL, Firebase.
• APIs: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport (for flight data).

1.4 Additional Costs

• UI/UX Design: $5,000 $20,000
• Marketing & Maintenance: $10,000+ annually
• Cloud Hosting (AWS, Google Cloud): $500 $5,000 per month

Additional Costs

• UI/UX Design Costs: $5,000-$20,000 
• Marketing and Maintenance Costs of $10,000 or More per annum. 
• Cloud Hosting (AWS, Google Cloud): Hosting services charges can range between $500 and $5,000 monthly.

Here’s a summary of all the app development costs you should know! 

As far as budget goes, expect to spend at least $50-150k to develop a high-quality app that competes effectively in its niche market. 

The next step should be to find ways to monetize it and make this investment worthwhile!

Why choose Tekrevol?

Crafting an engaging flight booking app takes more than code; it requires creating an experience that keeps users coming back for more! That’s where Tekrevol comes in!

With years of experience in flight booking app development, Tekrevol has helped businesses launch high-performing apps that stand out in the travel industry. Here’s why you should trust us with your project:

• Expert Developers: Our team specializes in creating applications with cutting-edge tech stacks and API integrations that ensure real-time flight updates and an effortless booking process.
• Custom Solutions: From basic MVP apps to comprehensive airline apps, our custom solutions are tailored specifically to meet the business requirements of each of our clients. In addition, our 24-hour support and maintenance packages go further by optimizing, updating, and supporting it long after delivery has taken place.
• Proven Track Record: With decades of experience providing revenue-generating solutions at startup and enterprise-level travel businesses, we’ve provided top-tier solutions that increase revenue streams.