| | 19TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY TECH OUTLOOKOCTOBER 2024By David Crivello, Vice President, Revenue Optimization, FlightHub GroupNAVIGATING THE BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL INTERLININGEvery air traveler hopes for a seamless experience getting from point A to point B, but when you add in a few more stops along the way, things can get a little more complicated. The airlines and travel agencies are turning to tech for innovative solutions to meet customer demand and minimize the challenges linked to multi-leg trips. Virtual interlining is a practice that offers a fresh perspective on putting together a travel itinerary that can save the customer money and help them turn a layover into an adventure in its own right. The practice can help customers weave together tickets from different airlines into a single, comprehensive itinerary, it is gaining popularity.Virtual interlining is an approach used by online travel agency (OTA) platforms to offers customers more options that would not be visible when booking directly with a single airline. Instead of relying solely on pre-established partnerships between different airlines to create itineraries, virtual interlining algorithms identify and suggest connections across different airlines and, often, unaffiliated flights. These algorithms consider factors like cost, layover times, terminal distances, and overall travel time.With airline ticket prices outpacing inflation, affordability is the main reason to consider virtual interlining. It is common to find fares that are up to 50 percent cheaper on sites that leverage virtual interlining technology to create flexible and economical travel itineraries. Creative Travel ItinerariesWhile cost reduction remains the primary allure of virtual interlining, this option also suits those with an adventurous side. The extended layovers involved can sometimes stretch beyond 24 hours, allowing travelers to explore new cities during their layover. As avid travelers know, navigating the labyrinth of airline websites and searching out the best deals and most convenient itineraries by going to each site can be daunting. OTAs, especially those using virtual interlining technology, can help consumers aggregate all possible travel options and select the flights that make the most sense for their budget and schedule. These digital platforms have become the go-to destination for those seeking convenience, variety, and competitive prices. Virtual interlining arms you with the potential to unearth the David CrivelloCXO INSIGHTS
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