How Much Does Flight Booking App Development Cost?

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Historically, people used to book flights through travel agents or airline reservation centers. But now, when technology is getting more advanced, the way people book flights has changed.

Now, there are dedicated flight-booking applications like Kiwi, Kayak, Agoda, Skyscanner, and Momondo available on the web and mobile devices letting people book flights directly from their smartphones.

Thus, being among the group of people who are thinking of developing a flight booking app, you’re probably wondering:

• What goes into developing a flight booking app?
• What will be the development cost of a flight booking app?
• In what ways can you make money from a flight booking app?
• What business model is suitable for your flight booking app?

Usually, these questions require an in-depth discussion and professional advice from an experienced flight booking app development company. With the right strategy and knowledge, you can create a profitable flight booking app within your budget.

Moreover, depending on features, complexity, and quality of work required, the cost of flight booking app development solutions varies widely. It could range from $15,000 to as much as $75,000. Therefore, you must consult with experienced mobile app developers who have expertise in creating such apps.

Let’s dive deeper into the cost of developing a flight booking app by taking a look at the current market situation.

Market Stats for Flight Ticket Booking App in 2023

• In 2020, the online travel booking market was worth $432 billion. By 2025, this is expected to reach $833 billion.

• 68% of all sales in travel & tourism are made online in 2022.

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• In 2023, Flights revenue is projected to reach US$0.63tn.
• A projected market volume of US$0.75tn by 2027 is based on a projected annual revenue growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 4.63%.
• Talking about the number of users in the flight segment, it is expected to reach 1.17bn by 2027.
• Also, 87% of total revenue will be generated through online sales in 2027.

What does it take to develop a successful flight booking app?

Did you know? In 2022, Booking.com mobile app was the top downloaded travel agency app globally, with a total of 80 million downloads across iOS and Google Play. Following behind was the Airbnb app with around 52 million downloads.

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Due to several established players present in the market creating a thriving flight booking app is quite challenging.

If you opt for developing your application through an iOS app development company or an Android app development company then they would have to take into account certain aspects prior to investing in the project based on your preferred choice of platform. Here are a few things to keep in mind while going for flight booking app development solutions:

• User Interface (UI) & User Experience (UX)
• Scalability & Performance
• Security & Compliance
• Third-Party Integrations
• Cross-Platform Compatibility

What will be the development cost of a custom flight booking app?

Frankly speaking, it is hard to give an exact figure for custom flight booking app development without considering specific requirements.  A number of factors such as project complexity, the type of technology used, and its integration with external services affect the cost.

The best way to find out the cost is to consult with a reliable mobile app development company that can provide you with a detailed estimate after evaluating all your needs. The estimate may include some or all of the following costs:

• Software Engineer Salaries – The cost of mobile application developers and designers depends on their experience level and availability in your region. Apart from this, you need to consider any other experts such as testers and project managers who may be involved in your project.

• Mobile Platforms – It’s important to consider which platform you are targeting with your flight booking app – Android or iOS. Besides, you may also require developing web and tablets that will add more cost to your overall budget.

• Server & Hosting Fees – You might have to pay ongoing server maintenance fees if you want to store user data within the app.

• Backend & Database Support – Complex apps usually require backend support to store large amounts of data securely. This typically involves setting up servers, databases, and support staff.

• Testing & Quality Assurance – A well-tested application is more likely to get positive reviews from customers. Therefore, it’s essential to allocate resources for testing and quality assurance before launching the app.

Type of App	Features	Estimated Cost	Estimated Time
Simple	Basic search and booking functionality, payment gateway integration, user registration, and login	$15,000 – $25,000	3 – 4 months
Complex	All features of a simple app, plus additional features such as multiple payment options, booking cancellation, booking modification, push notifications, and chat support	$25,000 – $45,000	4 – 6 months
Advanced	All features of a complex app, plus advanced features such as in-app flight tracking, integration with loyalty programs, travel itinerary management, and voice-enabled search	$45,000 – $75,000	6 – 9 months

 

Moving further, the biggest cost you might confront in building a custom flight booking app is ensuring the safety and security of the software and data.

Also, Airlines, credit card companies, and banks will require certain protocols and security measures to be in place before the app is given the thumbs-up.  Ultimately, these all take up the flight booking app development solutions cost of the app a bit higher.

Apart from development and testing, you’ll also need to factor in ongoing support and maintenance of your app. This will involve upkeep, updates, and changes to features – meaning you need a trusted flight booking app development company to perform all these for your project.

Factors Affecting The Cost of Flight Ticket Booking App Development

Again, we will say, the cost of creating a flight booking app can vary based on numerous factors. Here, we will analyze what major components make up the total cost of app development and how they affect the cost of creating a flight booking app.

1: Number of Screens

One of the factors on which the cost of flight booking app development greatly depends is the number of screens you will have. This is because creating more screens often leads to:

• more advanced navigation
• more content
• more backend developer’s efforts on backend integrations
• more design work
• user interface testing

These all require more time, hence more money. Therefore, It is important you have one-to-one interaction with your flight booking app development company to help you in providing the right number of screens to support in achieving user goals. This is one of the ways to cut down the cost and not waste money on unnecessary screens.

2. Features Integrated

The app must provide basic functions like allowing users to search for flights and purchase tickets. Depending on the type of services your business requires, you may also need to integrate additional features into your flight booking app. For example, you may want to offer users the ability to:

• check flight status
• View flight seat maps
• track flight prices
• book hotels and rental cars
• access loyalty rewards programs

Adding these features will increase the overall cost of the flight booking app development solutions. Therefore, it’s important to consider the must-have features for your app and prioritize them accordingly. This will help you avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure that your app meets the needs of your users.

3. Tools and Platform:

The choice of tools and platforms for developing the application also plays an important role in determining the flight booking app development cost.

For example, if you are developing your app for the iOS platform, then the cost of this app may be higher than if you were developing for the Android platform.

Apart from that, the cost may also vary based on the app development tools and frameworks the developer uses. Some of the popular tools and frameworks include React Native, Xamarin, and Flutter. These tools may have different licensing fees, and developers may have varying levels of expertise in using them.

It is essential to discuss with your flight booking app development company which tools and platforms they plan to use and how it will affect the cost. This will help you make informed decisions and choose the right tools to meet your needs without breaking the bank.

4. UI/UX Design:

A good user experience helps in attracting and retaining more customers. Investment in UI/UX design is a necessity for a flight booking app to be successful. This includes:

• Constructing a visually appealing
• Convenient interface
• Color psychology
• Button placements
• Fonts
• formulating a navigable design

And making sure the app is effortless to operate.

An effectively created app can differentiate your company from rivals and help to cultivate customer devotion. Remember, though, that high-grade design work comes with a price, thus it is essential to compare the advantages with the expenditure before committing.

5. Development team & their location 

The hourly rate of developers varies greatly depending on their location. For example, developers in the US charge between $95 to $100 per hour while mobile app developers in India charge between $25 to $40 per hour. 

Region	Hourly Rate of Development
UAE	$60-$65
US	$95-$100
Western Europe	$80-$90
Australia	$70-$90
Eastern Europe	$50-$55
Asia	$25-$40

 

Besides, the size of the development team required for your project will also affect the cost. A larger team will require more resources and a higher hourly rate. On the other hand, a smaller team may take longer to complete the project, resulting in a higher overall cost.

It is important to consider the expertise and experience of the development team when deciding on the size and location. Working with an experienced and skilled team may result in a higher hourly rate, but it can also lead to a more efficient and successful project outcome, saving you money in the long run.

Ways to Reduce Flight Booking App Development Cost

Well, without compromising the quality of your app, here are some of the points you can consider to cut down the development cost of your flight ticket booking app.

1. Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

By developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), you can greatly reduce the financial risks of a product launch. You can begin by releasing the product to a selected audience and gathering their feedback to perfect the version.

This is precisely how Airbnb tested the market demand before fully investing its resources. With an MVP, you can be assured of not wasting resources on a product that does not have any market potential.

2. Hybrid App Development

To lower the expenses of creating a flight reservation app, hybrid app development is a practical option. Hybrid applications are developed with web technologies, for instance, React Native, Flutter, Xamerin, Ionic, and more.

Using this, developers have to write only one set of code that can be deployed across multiple platforms. That ultimately, saves time and developers’ involvement, thus, lower costs.

3. Outsourcing

Choosing to outsource the development of a flight booking application can be beneficial to businesses in numerous ways. Not only can they reduce the cost associated with wages, benefits, and infrastructure, but they can also tap into a wider selection of talent and expertise.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to be smart in the selection of an outsourcing partner to guarantee the software’s quality. As research says 59% of companies outsource IT development to cut costs,

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4. Agile Development

Agile development is a software development methodology that emphasizes collaboration, flexibility, and rapid iteration. By using agile development, developers can quickly adapt to changes in the project requirements and deliver high-quality software in a shorter amount of time.

Features to be Integrated into a Flight Booking App

These features can greatly enhance user experience and speed up the booking process. Here are some of the essential features that a flight booking app should have:

Customer Panel Features:

Feature	Description
User-friendly interface	The app needs to be easy to use and navigate to help customers book flights with ease.
Easy sign-up	The app should allow users to sign up with their official email or social media accounts.
Profile verification	Users should be able to validate their accounts through email or phone verification.
Flight search	Customers should be able to search for flights by destination, date, and price range.
Secure payment gateway	The app needs to have a secure and reliable payment gateway to process transactions.
Notifications	The app should be able to send notifications about flight status changes, delays, and gate changes.
Loyalty program	A loyalty program that offers loyal users discounts, freebies, or other benefits can help retain customers.
Ratings and Reviews	Users can check reviews about airlines and accommodations to make informed travel decisions.

 

Admin Panel Features:

Feature	Description
Flight management	Admins should be able to manage flight data such as timetables, availability, and costs.
Booking management	Admins should be able to manage user reservations, cancellations, and refunds.
Payment management	Admins should be able to manage payments, including commissions and refunds.
Customer support	The app needs to provide admins with phone, email, and chat support options to help customers.

 

Advanced Features:

Feature	Description
Multilingual support	The app should support several languages to serve customers from various countries.
In-app chat	In-app chat features should allow users to communicate with customer service agents.
Artificial intelligence (AI) integration	The app can employ AI technology to find the best deals and offer personalized vacation recommendations.
Virtual reality	To enhance the user experience, the app should offer 360-degree tours of airports and airplane cabins.
Social media integration	The app should allow users to share details about their travel plans and experiences on social media platforms.
Accounting APIs	Integrating accounting APIs allows admins to easily track their overall finances.

 

Types of Business Models Available for Flight Tickets Booking App Development

When it comes to developing a flight booking app, there are two main business models to choose from:

• Aggregator Model:

This is the most popular business model for travel booking apps. With this model, users can easily compare rates and airline itineraries to book their desired flights. The app aggregates information from multiple airlines and presents it to users in a user-friendly interface. This model is ideal for users who are looking for affordable flights and are willing to be flexible with their travel dates and times.

• Dedicated Model:

This type of model is less ubiquitous than an aggregator, as it’s focused on a specific airline. The app offers detailed information regarding flights, timetables, and rates of the associated airline(s). This approach is especially helpful for users who fly with the same carrier often, as they can simply book flights right away.

Assessing each business model’s advantages and disadvantages, the aggregator flight tickets booking app development option allows users to compare fares and times between various airlines, enabling them to realize cost savings.

Nevertheless, the aggregator model may not present customers with the same degree of service and support that the dedicated flight ticket booking app development model provides. In contrast, the dedicated model grants users a more customized experience but may not present the same level of suppleness as the aggregator model.

When choosing which business model is ideal for a flight booking app, it is critical to reflect upon the target audience and their requirements.

How Can You Earn Money with Your Flight Booking App?

• Commission-based model: This is the most common revenue model used by flight booking apps. In this model, the app earns a commission on each booking made through the app. The commission rate can vary depending on the airline and the type of ticket booked.
• Advertising: Another way to earn money with your app is through advertising. You can display ads within the app and earn revenue based on the number of clicks or impressions.
• Sponsorship: You can also earn money through sponsorships. Airlines or travel companies may sponsor your app in exchange for advertising or other promotional opportunities.

No matter the approach you decide on to monetize your app, it’s vital to guarantee that it furnishes your users with worth. This can be accomplished by setting competitive prices, making a straightforward user experience, and including supplementary features like flight tracking and trip management.

How iWebServices can help in this?

iWebServices is an acclaimed flight booking app development company, with highly proficient developers and top-notch technology. We will help you in building robust, feature-rich, and highly scalable flight booking solutions.

On top of that, you are able to customize your flight booking app to meet your company’s individual needs. In addition, you gain access to dedicated client service, plus our in-house Android app developers and iOS app developers can guide you in designing and constructing your app from the ground up.

Moreover, iWebServices’s flight booking app development services come with a cost-effective rate, so you can acquire a high-caliber app without draining your funds. With our flight booking app development services, there is no need to worry about extensive lead times or hefty fees linked to personalized app production. With iWebServices, you can have your own flight booking app up and running rapidly and at a budget-friendly cost.

FAQs

What is the cost of creating a flight booking app?

The price of creating a flight booking mobile app varies depending on the intricacy of the app, the development team, and other contributing elements. Typically, flight booking app development services cost between $15,000 -$75,000, and even more if you have some custom requirements.

How long does it take to build a flight booking app?

The time frame for developing a flight booking application depends on various things such as the availability of the development team, the complexity of your app, and other elements. On average, flight booking app development solutions may take anywhere from 8 weeks to 6 months to completely finish the project.

What features should be included in a flight booking app?

Some of the key features to include in a flight booking app are user-friendly search and filter options, secure payment processing, multi-currency support, fare alerts, ticketing services, push notifications, customer service, and more.

What type of company should I hire for flight booking app development?

When looking for a flight booking app development company to assist in the development of an app, it is important to choose one that has prior experience with mobile app development and a track record of successful project delivery. In addition, the company should possess knowledge of the most current technologies and trends in the industry.

How can I ensure the success of my flight booking app?

To make sure your flight booking app is successful, it is important to have a well-thought-out user interface and offer helpful customer service. Moreover, you should concentrate on providing a seamless user experience and giving relevant content such as deals and discounts. Lastly, use analytics tools to measure user engagement and usage in order to improve the app continuously.