Amazon has another crack at travel with launch of flight bookings

November 2, 2018 Sunnyvale / CA / USA - Amazon headquarters located in Silicon Valley, San Francisco bay area

E-commerce giant Amazon is allowing users in India to book domestic flights, in a move that commentators say is a step toward building a travel ‘super-app’.

Skift reported at the weekend that Amazon has begun offering domestic flights in India, powered by online Indian travel agency Cleartrip.

It was later confirmed in another report that this was a direct move by Amazon in a strategy toward broader expansion into travel.

Not unlike Google and its recent roll-out of travel tech, Amazon has shown a very real interest in creating a stream-lined system that incorporates travel.

However, the e-commerce company has historically been unsuccessful in planting a foot-hold in the industry, capped by its failed hotels business in 2015, according to Skift. 

That hasn’t stopped it from trying again.

India-based airlines GoAir, Indigo, SpiceJet and Vistara are among the carriers involved in offering flights through the service that reportedly offers roughly $40 cash back on bookings – returned via Apple Pay.

Hospitality consultant Robert Cole tweeted screenshots of the Amazon domestic flights.

“Customers are already using Amazon beyond shopping,” Shariq Plasticwala, director of Amazon Pay, said in a statement.

“Over the past year, customers have rapidly adopted our payments services such as mobile recharges, utility payments, and money transfers. They love the convenience we offer of shopping and paying — all in one single app.”

At this stage, however, the flights are offered in partnership through Cleartrip, as opposed to being offered through an Amazon standalone app.

Latest News

  • Aviation
  • Luxury

Airlines Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800

Join me on my personal review of the iconic Singapore Airlines’ A380-800 business class cabin. Singapore Airlines is renowned for its luxurious and spacious seating in any class, it’s sleek and fine interior reflects a sophisticated yet relaxed charm, promising instant luxury the minute you board. The configuration in business class is 1, 2, 1 […]

  • Aviation

South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen

South African Airways will fly across the Indian Ocean for the first time since the pandemic today when the first of its relaunched Johannesburg to Perth flights touches down today. The South African Airways flights will connect 40,000 more passengers per year in each direction, between Perth and Johannesburg using Airbus A340-300s. Flight Centre Corporate […]

  • Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Partner Content

by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly
  • Aviation

Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport

Emirates has unveiled a glimpse of its future with the news of a new base at  Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai overnight. Also referred to as the Dubai World Central, the airport is undergoing an AUD $53.3b refurbishment. Once complete, it will become the city’s main international hub with five parallel runways and 400 […]

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]