INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Huge travel platforms that run airline booking systems like Sabre and Amadeus were invented eons ago and are so large and cumbersome that
innovating with them is no easy feat
In the same way that challenger banks have come along to re-invent the banking software Starck, U.K
startup Duffel has done the same in the travel market, linking up airlines directly with travel agents with a 21st century platform.Today it
has announced a $30 million Series B funding round from investors Index Ventures; existing investors Benchmark Capital and Blossom Capital
Its airline partners already include American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa Group, Aegean Airlines, Vueling and Iberia.Duffel will
use the new funds to hire more engineers and increase its broader team
It is focusing on expanding in North America and Europe, with its first customers drawn from the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany and
offers, make bookings, access live seat availability and buy extra services
associated with the legacy flight booking systems
By reinventing the underwiring between online agents and airlines we can transform the world of travel booking and reduce barriers to entry
have been opened up by deregulation, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) created a new industry standard, known as New
Distribution Capability (NDC), which transformed the way air products are retailed through the use of modern XML technology
Duffel team, who we have supported since the days of their seed funding
There is an opportunity here to transform the booking experience for travelers and ease many of the pain points in the industry
From the launch of budget airlines to sharing economy businesses like Airbnb, travel has changed and Duffel will provide the tools, built
sell travel products to agencies
There is too much complexity
When the IATA came up with its new XML platform, no-one wanted to use it
