Ryanair Adds Kiwi to Approved Online Travel Agents
Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline, has announced a new agreement with Kiwi, adding it to its list of approved online travel agents (OTAs). This partnership allows Ryanair's tickets to be bookable through Kiwi’s systems for the upcoming summer season, enhancing booking options for travelers.
Oliver Dlouhý, co-founder and CEO of Kiwi, expressed pride in becoming the first OTA to offer bookable fares for Europe’s largest airline. He highlighted that this recognition reflects Kiwi's investment in product and customer experience, demonstrating their commitment to building beneficial relationships with airlines.
Ryanair’s CEO, Eddie Wilson, noted that Kiwi customers can now book flights with full price transparency, avoiding overcharges and hidden fees. Additionally, passengers will have direct access to their bookings through their myRyanair accounts, simplifying the process and enhancing user experience.
With the peak summer travel season approaching, this partnership aims to provide seamless booking experiences for Kiwi customers. Ryanair flights will be available from four Czech airports to 39 destinations across Europe, offering extensive travel options.
The agreement with Kiwi means that customers can now book Ryanair’s low fares combined with Kiwi’s interlining services. This setup ensures all flight-related communication is direct and provides access to myRyanair accounts, eliminating the need for separate verification processes.
Over the past months, Ryanair has signed agreements with six OTAs, including Kiwi, On The Beach, and eSky. Despite previous criticisms of OTAs for overcharging customers, Ryanair continues to expand its partnerships, aiming to protect travelers from price gouging and ensure direct access to booking information.
In legal matters, some OTAs, such as Lastminute and Viaggiare, have challenged Ryanair’s exclusive online distribution model, claiming it abuses its dominant position. However, the Milan Court of Appeals recently ruled in favor of Ryanair, supporting its approach to reduce operating costs and eliminate intermediaries.
Ryanair remains committed to providing transparent and cost-effective travel solutions, enhancing customer experience through strategic partnerships and legal victories.