What is an OTA flight?

OTA stands for online travel agent (or online travel agency) and is an online company where travellers can book hotels, flights, car hire, or even entire vacation packages.

Why Choose OTA for Flight Booking?

Choosing an Online Travel Agency (OTA) for flight booking offers several advantages. Here’s a breakdown of why many travelers prefer OTAs:


1. Price Comparison & Deals

  • Aggregated options: OTAs pull flight data from multiple airlines, allowing you to compare prices, routes, and times in one place.

  • Exclusive discounts: Some OTAs negotiate special rates or flight deals, potentially saving you money.


2. Convenience

  • All-in-one booking: Book flights, hotels, car rentals, and even travel insurance in a single transaction.

  • User-friendly interfaces: Most OTAs offer intuitive platforms with filters for dates, layovers, departure times, etc.


3. Access to Multiple Airlines

  • Broader selection: Unlike airline websites, OTAs show options from multiple carriers, including budget and international airlines that may not be easily accessible otherwise.


4. Transparent Comparisons

  • Side-by-side details: View flight duration, baggage fees, layover times, and total cost in a single glance.


5. Reviews & Ratings

  • Traveler insights: Many OTAs include customer reviews of airlines or specific routes to help inform your decision.


6. Loyalty & Rewards

  • Points and cashback: Some OTAs offer their own loyalty programs or allow you to collect points for future discounts.


7. Multi-airline itineraries

  • Custom combinations: OTAs can create itineraries combining multiple airlines, often leading to cheaper or more convenient routes than single-airline bookings.


8. 24/7 Customer Support

  • Global assistance: Most major OTAs offer round-the-clock help for cancellations, rebookings, and travel disruptions.


When to Be Cautious:

  • Customer service can vary.

  • Change/cancellation policies may be stricter or involve extra fees.

  • Double-check baggage and seat selection policies as they might not be clearly communicated.