I've heard there are only two back-end solutions for airfare search. Does this mean I only need to search on two different sites?

I've heard there are only two back-end solutions for airfare search. Does this mean I only need to search on two different sites? - Young woman choosing book from bookshelf

I recall that in the past there were basically two big backends (Saber and something else) for all the online search engines, so you really only needed two search on one site from each group (choosing within a group based on features or points or whatever). There could still be differences within a group using the same backend due to stale prices, but those would usually disapear when you proceeded to booking.

Is that still true (and if not, was it ever)? Where can I see a list of sites that use a given backend?



Best Answer

No, it isn't and it was never. And they won't tell who uses what.

Several airlines don't participate in any of those systems, but force all sales through their own system (example: Southwest).

They have obviously some disadvantages from that, but also some advantages; they think it is the better solution.

Google's ITA (http://matrix.itasoftware.com/) or Google's direct flight search (https://www.google.com/flights/#search, very fast) are generic and touch nearly all airlines (including Southwest, etc.), but you cannot book there - once you see the cheapest or you preferred offer, you need to go to that airline to book it.




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What search engine is best for flights?

  • Best cheap flight search engine: Skiplagged. ...
  • Best search engine for cheapest flights: Agoda. ...
  • Best mobile app flight search engine: Hopper. ...
  • Best international flight search engine: Momondo. ...
  • Best European flight search engine: Skyscanner. ...
  • Best search engine for flight packages: Kayak.


  • What is back to back airline ticketing?

    Back-to-back ticketing is a type of nested ticketing whereby a traveler tries to circumvent minimum stay requirements. For example, a traveler may want to make two round trips midweek in two different weeks.

    Can airlines track your searches?

    Airlines are not tracking your searches. Neither is Google Flights \u2013 the best search platform for finding good deals on airfare \u2013 or most other search engines and online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Priceline. Your flight searches aren't being affected by your previous searches.

    Do flight prices change if you keep searching?

    However, airlines say prices change not because of a consumer's search history on a website, or their cookies, but because of inventory updates or glitches on the website, FareCompare's Rick Seaney said in an email.



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