Ryanair has announced that the Expedia Travel Group has become the latest online booking platform to join its growing list of approved online travel agencies (OTA), allowing customers to book flights with the low-cost carrier directly. Once, such carriers were eager to handle all bookings through their own websites, but throughout 2024 the Irish-based airline group has been developing a list of travel partners to act as authorized agents to sell flights on its behalf.
Enabling Expedia Group customers to book Ryanair-operated flights will open up over 240 Ryanair destinations to its users for the first time. According to a Ryanair statement, customers using Expedia websites will be able to book either standalone flights on Ryanair group airlines (Ryanair, Ryanair UK, Malta Air, Buzz, Lauda Europe) or travel packages on one itinerary.
The platform will also allow Expedia customers to access their ‘myRyanair’ booking accounts directly through its websites, providing them with travel updates and other services without having to complete Ryanair’s customer verification process. The new service is expected to be rolled out across Expedia’s travel websites in the next few months, although a specific date has yet be announced.
The announcement follows similar deals that have been agreed during 2024 with other OTAs such as lastminute.com, On the Beach, TUI, Loveholidays, Kiwi.com, and Etraveli.
“We are pleased to announce our latest Approved OTA partnership with global travel tech leader, Expedia Group,” said Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara O’Brady. “Through this new agreement, Expedia Group travelers will be able to book Ryanair’s low-fare flights as part of their holiday packages or standalone bookings, with the guarantee of full price transparency and full access to their booking.”
“We look forward to working with Expedia Group and carrying their customers onboard our market-leading network of Ryanair flights in the coming months,” he added.
“This marks a significant step in our partnership with Ryanair,” said Expedia Group’s SVP for Trips Partnerships, Susan Spinney. “Earlier this year, we collaborated on ‘Ryanair Rooms,’ allowing Ryanair travelers to seamlessly book a hotel alongside their flight. Soon Ryanair flights will be available directly on Expedia Group’s marketplace, expanding the way travelers benefit from this powerful combination.”
Spinney concluded: “Ryanair’s extensive network of budget-friendly flights, together with Expedia Group’s comprehensive travel offerings, creates an unbeatable value proposition for travelers seeking affordability and convenience.”
