The Rise of Branded Fares: A Game-Changer in Air Travel

Branded fares are transforming the way airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) maximize revenue. By segmenting fares into tiered bundles—such as Basic, Standard, and Flex—airlines can upsell premium services, while OTAs enhance customer choice and boost conversions.

According to IATA, over 65% of airlines now offer branded fares, with adoption growing rapidly among both full-service and low-cost carriers. Meanwhile, 80% of business travelers opt for add-ons like priority boarding and flexible changes, while long-haul passengers frequently pay extra for baggage and premium seats.

"Branded fares are no longer an option—they’re a necessity," says Jason Song, President and Founder of PKFARE. "Airlines want higher yields, OTAs want richer content, and travelers demand transparency. The key is seamless integration."

Why OTAs Are Betting on Branded Fares—And the Challenges They Face

OTAs are aggressively adopting branded fares to:

• Boost ancillary revenue by bundling extras like price-lock guarantees, travel insurance, and hotel discounts.
• Enhance user experience with transparent fare comparisons, catering to both budget-conscious and premium travelers.

However, integrating airline-branded fares isn’t simple. Many OTAs struggle with:

• Tech stack mismatches when connecting to GDS solutions.
• Slow, costly development to maintain dynamic pricing and fare rules.

"Most OTAs don’t have the resources to build these integrations in-house," notes Jason Song. "That’s where aggregators like PKFARE step in—bridging the gap between GDS complexity and OTA agility."

PKFARE’s Solution: Smarter, Faster Branded Fares Integration

PKFARE empowers OTAs with a scalable, high-performance branded fares solution, backed by deep airline distribution expertise.

“At PKFARE, we understand the technical complexities OTAs face when adopting branded fares. Our goal is to simplify the process with a plug-and-play solution, offering OTAs a smooth integration experience and access to a more diverse range of branded fare content,”says Jason Song.

Here is why PKFARE's branded fares solution stands out:

More Diverse Content: PKFARE sources content from global GDS and direct airline connections, offering branded fare options from 120 airlines worldwide.

Seamless Integration: PKFARE provides flexible integration methods tailored to OTA needs, significantly reducing the burden on their tech teams. With a single API plug-in, OTAs can effortlessly access branded fare content without the need for extensive backend modifications.

Enhanced Data Performance: Leveraging its AI-driven pricing engine and machine learning system, PKFARE ensures superior price accuracy and booking relevance, ultimately improving booking conversion rates for OTAs.

The Future of Branded Fares: PKFARE’s Vision

Looking ahead, PKFARE is committed to enhancing branded fare offerings by integrating more diverse content from direct airline connections, tech aggregators, and additional partners.

“We are reshaping the branded fares landscape by providing OTAs with more comprehensive content and cutting-edge technology solutions. Our mission is to create greater value for our partners while offering travelers more choices and flexibility,”says Jason Song.

Ready to transform your branded fares strategy?

Explore PKFARE’s solution today: https://apifox.pkfare.com/apidoc/project-345083/doc-338119