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Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights

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Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights

#1

Post by stevedomin »

Hi everyone!

I'm Steve, founder and CEO of Duffel. We're so excited to introduce Duffel Links today - a low code solution to sell flights online fast. Through one single API request, offer your customers a best-in-class shopping experience tailored to your brand.

Since day 1, we've made it our mission to break down barriers in the travel industry and make it easy for anyone to start selling travel. Now with Links, you can still use Duffel even if you don't have technical skills. It truly has never been easier to get started selling travel.

The Problem: We've removed many blockers to selling flights, but until today, offering even a simple flight shopping experience could be a complicated task. Even with our APIs and components, you would still face challenges such as handling search inputs for passengers of all ages, getting the details of one-way, return and multi-city trips and more.

The Solution: Enter Duffel Links! Links take care of all of this for you so you can start offering flights to your customers immediately; with a single API call, you can generate a link where your customer can access our best-in-class flight shopping experience, customised to match your brand. Leverage thousands of hours of product design and travel expertise every time you generate a link.

Key features: -Search intuitively - Your customers will be able to input search parameters to ensure they see the most relevant flights and filter itineraries, so they can find the perfectly timed flight. -Optimised for conversion - When booking, they can pick the fare with the right level of flexibility and amenities, complete our simple checkout, and instantly access all the information needed to fly. -Access to 300+ airlines - including low-cost carriers, NDC and GDS. -Add markups - Quickly and dynamically add markups to fares when creating a link and easily charge your customers. Up-sell to your customers by offering premium seats and paid bags. -Make it your own - Customise the entire search and book experience to match your brand. Include your logo, custom URL and brand colours throughout. -Compatible with all screen sizes - Links is fully responsive for all devices - including mobiles, tablets and desktops.

Feel free to try Links today - we're looking forward to your feedback and comments.

Thanks, Steve

Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights
duffel.com

Re: Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights

#3

Post by ceejayoz »

> Quickly and dynamically add markups to fares when creating a link and easily charge your customers.

What's the customer benefit to using a random site to book tickets they could already book on something like Google Flights without a markup?

Who handles support for rebookings, cancelations, etc.? It's bad enough having to go through an OTA with airlines/hotels when there's a problem; they tell you to call Expedia.

Re: Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights

#4

Post by monero-xmr »

Flights are a loss leader, with middlemen making very little or no money. The real money is in hotels and rental cars. Will purchasers via this API pay more than they would for flight tickets in other services? Or how are you making any money off of this?

Re: Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights

#6

Post by dkindler »

monero-xmr wrote: post #4

Flights are a loss leader, with middlemen making very little or no money. The real money is in hotels and rental cars. Will purchasers via this API pay more than they would for flight tickets in other services? Or how are you making any money off of this?

The real money is also in FF points. https://youtu.be/ggUduBmvQ_4

Re: Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights

#7

Post by chinathrow »

ceejayoz wrote: post #3

> Quickly and dynamically add markups to fares when creating a link and easily charge your customers. What's the customer benefit to using a random site to book tickets they could already book on something like Google Flights without a markup? Who handles support for rebookings, cancelations, etc.? It's bad enough having to go through an OTA with airlines/hotels when there's a problem; they tell you to call Expedia.

Does Google flights sell flights directly?

Re: Show HN: Duffel (YC S18) – A faster way to sell flights

#9

Post by ceejayoz »

chinathrow wrote: post #7
ceejayoz wrote: post #3

> Quickly and dynamically add markups to fares when creating a link and easily charge your customers. What's the customer benefit to using a random site to book tickets they could already book on something like Google Flights without a markup? Who handles support for rebookings, cancelations, etc.? It's bad enough having to go through an OTA with airlines/hotels when there's a problem; they tell you to call Expedia.

Does Google flights sell flights directly?

No (which is very much preferable, IMO); they link you directly into the airline's purchase flow. The search results include a lot of folks who do, like Expedia, if you want the third party experience. It's not much fun when things go wrong.
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