How to Build a Travel Booking App Like Etihad Airways

June 25, 2025

Traveling has evolved significantly, with users preferring quick, digital solutions. A Travel Booking App Like Etihad Airways reflects this shift with efficient trip planning and management for travelers. Its streamlined design and fast performance deliver a seamless, user-focused experience that meets the expectations of both modern travelers and businesses.

And guess what, several investors and business owners aiming to enter the digital travel space are considering the Etihad Airways app development as a strategic venture. Why not? Developing a similar platform offers structured engagement, recurring revenue opportunities, and direct user interaction. It serves as an effective strategy for building scalable solutions in a growing digital travel market. 

Are you also among those enthusiasts who want to launch a similar Travel Booking App Like Etihad Airways? Keep reading this blog! 

Understanding the Etihad Airways App

The Etihad Airways app prioritizes operating on a B2C model. It helps the audience book a flight ticket on the platform and also offers features like seat upgrades, rewards, and real-time travel support.

It also has a B2B side for corporate travel and programs that support partnerships with companies. These options help business clients manage trips, bookings, and travel plans more smoothly on a larger scale.

A travel booking app like Etihad Airways shows how digital tools can turn air travel into a smooth and user-led experience. If you have decided to invest in the development of an app like Etihad Airways, you must go through its business model and see how it holds a strong position in the industry: 

Key Notes Of This Business Model—

• The app allows Etihad Airways to maintain full control over customer interactions and booking activities without any need for third-party services.
• It works with global payments, local money types, and many languages to reach more people.
• The app keeps users engaged with updates, reminders, and easy travel tracking.
• It reduces support queries through self-service features like mobile check-in and boarding passes.
• Deals, rewards, and upgrades within the app to foster user loyalty more quickly.
• The model saves cost on commissions paid to third-party platforms or agents.
• A travel booking app like Etihad Airways builds long-term user trust through a consistent app experience.

Step-by-Step Process to Build a Travel Booking App Like Etihad Airways

Building a travel booking app takes time and clear planning. Each step is essential during development, and if not considered important, it can impact the app’s performance. Additionally, if entrepreneurs rush to incorporate something or overlook something important, it can cause problems later. To build a travel booking app like Etihad Airways, every aspect should focus on quality, speed, and lasting results. Let’s look at the steps involved:

Market Research & Competitor Study

Before anything, having a full understanding of the business market is essential. Travel app users already have high expectations, so it’s a smart strategy to know what others are doing. Review the original app and explore other popular travel apps as well. Check their strengths and find the gaps, so that you don’t repeat the same mistake. Following this step, entrepreneurs can build a masterpiece app that feels familiar to the audience but offers something fresh. 

Finalizing Features & Project Scope

After research, it’s time to outline every small detail about what the app will offer. Typically, some users want only bookings, while others want features like seat selection, offers, and loyalty tools. Create a comprehensive list of integration options for your travel app, including smart technologies and user engagement features. It also avoids extra costs later. Finalizing the project scope helps the team understand timelines, priorities, and future goals, all of which are based on your idea for travel booking app development.

UI/UX Designing & Prototyping

The interface is the first thing the audience notices. Travelers enjoy apps that feel smooth and simple. So, hire UI/UX designers who utilize their overall skills to build an interface for your app that is both impressive and simple. Ask them to create early wireframes and clickable demos to test flows and layouts. This stage builds the visual identity and usability of your travel booking app, like Etihad Airways.

Backend and API Integration

Once the design is locked, developers start connecting all moving parts. APIs power real-time data like flight search, seat maps, and payment status. The backend handles booking requests, user profiles, and admin tasks. It’s like the engine behind the scenes. A good development company will set up strong foundations so your app runs fast, stays safe, and handles many users at once.

Testing Across Devices

Before the app goes live, it must work well everywhere. Android, iOS, tablets, and different networks—users expect no delays or bugs. The testing phase checks every feature, screen, and tap. It spots problems early. Developers test booking flows, payment steps, and account settings to ensure seamless functionality. This step clears the path for smooth travel app usage, just like in the Etihad Airways app.

Deployment on App Stores

Now it’s time to go public. App stores have their own rules, so developers handle the final submissions. The launch includes titles, screenshots, and descriptions that tell users what the app does. A good launch grabs attention quickly. 

Ongoing Support & Scaling

Steps do not stop after launch. Users expect new updates and new features over time. Make sure your developers track how the app performs and improve it with regular care. Meanwhile, you must also go through the market and check what’s new and what can be integrated into your app. As more people use the app, it must grow without slowing down. Ongoing support helps your travel booking app stay fresh and relevant in the long run, just like Etihad Airways keeps updating its features.

Cost Overview to Develop App Like Etihad Airways

If you are planning a budget for Travel Booking App development, please note that you cannot accurately estimate the development cost without a proper strategy. Every small detail can make a big impact on the overall development cost. 

For example, if you want to build a simple flight booking app with basic features, it may cost between $25k and $60k. But if you’re planning a full app like Etihad Airways with advanced features, the cost can go above $250k.

Factors That Influence Overall Cost

• Total number of screens and features
• Type of booking (flight only or hotel + more)
• UI design style and app flow
• Platform types (iOS, Android, or both)
• Use of external APIs and booking systems
• Developer location and hourly rates
• Timeframe to complete the project
• Long-term support and update plans

Take a look at the table below to understand where your travel app investment will go:

Plan Your Travel Booking App Development Budget the Smart Way

Are you starting a travel business from scratch and want a budget-friendly way to launch your app? Don’t worry, we have multiple solutions for you. Want to know? Making smart decisions before any indirect investments can reduce expenses and still deliver a seamless booking experience. Below, we are sharing development methods to launch your app in the market without incurring huge costs. Explore them:

MVP Development for Smart Launch

Start with MVP development and focus on core booking features like search, payment, and ticket confirmation. This allows you to test the travel app in real time, gain feedback fast, and adjust features later, without spending on everything at once.

Prototype Development for Visual Clarity

Invest in a prototype development of your app before starting the actual build. This gives a clear view of how the travel app will work. It helps avoid mistakes later, saves cost on fixes, and lets you improve the app flow early in the process.

Cloud Integration for Better Flexibility

Run your travel booking app on cloud services to avoid costly hardware setups. Cloud platforms reduce maintenance and scale as your user count grows. This option suits startups that want to keep the app light, secure, and always ready.

Use of Pre-Built Travel APIs

Tap into ready travel APIs like flight search, seat maps, and payment gateways. These tools speed up development, lower costs, and bring reliable data into your app without building every detail from the ground up.

Hire Offshore developers

Partner with an offshore developer like RichestSoft. You skip the hiring process and get expert help. It cuts fixed costs and brings in a team that already knows how to build travel apps from scratch.

Monetization Options for a Travel Booking App Like Etihad Airways

If you want to build a powerful and profitable travel app, integrating an ideal monetization model is crucial. And remember to make a well-planned strategy in advance and incorporate the right monetization options that not only earn revenue but also support user experience. When you build a Travel Booking App like Etihad Airways, picking smart income paths can boost your success. Here are a few ways to monetize when you develop an app like Etihad Airways:

• Commission-Based Model: Earn from every confirmed booking on your platform. You can charge airlines, hotels, or travel partners a small cut per transaction.

• Ads & Sponsored Listings: Let brands run ads or promote travel deals inside your app. These placements boost your income without hurting user flow.

• In-App Purchases: Travelers demand a comfortable traveling experience. Offer the audience an in-app shopping experience with options like seat upgrades, travel insurance, or early check-in. It enhances value for users and also increases your revenue.

• Subscription for Premium Features: Offer a monthly plan with early discounts, special services, or zero ads. Travelers enjoy perks, and you earn a steady income.

Conclusion

The Etihad Airways app is rapidly capturing the travel market. Its business model proves how strong the demand is for smooth digital travel platforms. In fact, several travelers expect more solutions like quick bookings, real-time updates, and full access. 

So, if you’re considering investing in a Travel Booking App like Etihad Airways, you’re building a sustainable business. The travel booking app market offers a wide scope for growth when paired with a solid plan and skilled execution.

At RichestSoft, we build structured travel applications that align with your business goals. Our focus stays on precise development, clean interfaces, and high usability. When you partner with us, you don’t just launch an app—you build a modern travel solution built for impact and long-term scale.