Flybe, one of the leading UK-based European regional airlines, has announced a partnership with Skyscanner, a global travel search engine, to offer long- haul travellers options for linked bookings such as from Newquay to Dubai, Southampton to Kuala Lumpur, Inverness to Hong Kong and such.
With the partnership, Flybe’s ‘One Stop to the World’ bookings can be instantly made via a direct link from its website www.flybe.com powered by Skyscanner. The customised search tool – developed by Skyscanner for Business using its White Label product – calculates all options available for flying to selected long haul destinations from several of the key regional airports served by Flybe. It details all possible itineraries, timings and convenient connections.
Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Simmons, said: ‘Our new partnership with Skyscanner fully leverages a wealth of travel possibilities available by combining Flybe’s own extensive route network with those offered by our increasing number of codeshare partners. Today’s news represents a major strategic step forward for Flybe, as well as a significant milestone in globe-trotting travel options for our customers.’
Skyscanner’s Director of Business Development, Hugh Aitken, added: ‘Flybe has long been offering ‘One Stop to the World’ travel options for our passengers with seamless onward travel. Now that dream destination is even easier to find and plan.
‘This powerful new search tool reinforces our commitment to empowering our customers with as much information about the enormous choice of itineraries they now have – and all on their doorsteps from their own regional airport.’
On deciding a travel plan, customers can immediately click through and complete their flight purchase direct with the relevant codeshare carrier’s website. These currently include Aer Lingus, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair and KLM.
Examples of the choice of long-haul destinations served by Flybe’s codeshare partners include Dubai with Emirates via Birmingham, Manchester and London Gatwick; and to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific via Manchester and Paris CDG, Flybe said.
