Did You Know? The Global Airline Industry is expected to reach a Market Value of $744 Billion by 2026.
From budget backpackers to luxury jet-setters, everyone loves a good travel deal. But what if you could earn money by helping others find these deals?
Unlike most of the niches in the affiliate marketing industry, Airline affiliate programs can give you upto 50% commission (including high ticket offers) while giving some excellent choices under domains such as luxury jets, first-class bookings, and much more.
Major carriers like Qatar Airways and Emirates along with some other popular booking platforms such as Skyscanner and KAYAK, have pretty much opened up some new horizons into earning high commissions. These partnerships allow you to enter into the $300+ billion travel industry, offering high commission rates ranging from 1% to an impressive 50% on bookings.
But which one should you choose along the bunch of self-proclaimed best airline affiliate programs?
How to Choose the Best Airline Affiliate Programs?
Selecting the best airline affiliate programs for your review blog involves several key considerations to optimize your earnings and align with your audience's needs. Here are some essential factors to help you make the right choice:
- Commission Rates: Look for programs offering comparatively high commission rates. While higher commissions are attractive, also consider the conversion rates. Sometimes, programs with lower commissions but higher conversion rates can yield better overall returns.
- Cookie Duration: The cookie duration determines how long you can earn commissions after a user clicks your affiliate link. A longer cookie duration, typically 30 days or more, increases your chances of earning commissions from delayed purchases.
- Average Order Value (AOV): Higher AOV means more significant earnings per sale. Evaluate the AOV of the affiliate programs to ensure they align with your revenue goals. Programs with higher AOV can be more profitable, even with lower commission rates.
- Recurring Commissions: Some programs offer recurring commissions, allowing you to earn from repeat purchases by the same customer. While not common in airline affiliate programs, it's a valuable feature if available.
- Niche Alignment: Choose programs that match your blog's niche and audience interests. For example, if your blog targets luxury travelers, affiliate programs from premium airlines like Emirates or Qatar Airways might be more suitable.
- Reputation and Support: Select affiliate programs from reputable brands that provide robust support and marketing resources. This ensures reliability and helps you create compelling content that converts.
Airline Travel and Affiliate Potential
Air travel continues to show strong recovery and growth post-pandemic. In 2024, the global airline industry is expected to serve 4.96 billion passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This surge in demand presents great opportunities for affiliate marketers. The average affiliate marketer in the travel sector earns around $8,038 per month, with top performers reaching six-figure monthly incomes.
Airline affiliate programs offer commissions ranging from 1% to 6% on ticket sales, with some programs providing up to 50% revenue share on membership signups. With the industry's total revenue projected to reach $996 billion in 2024, and an average of 102,395 commercial flights operating daily, the potential for earning through airline affiliate marketing remains substantial for those who can effectively tap into this growing market.
High-Commission Airline Affiliate Programs
| Airline Affiliate Programs | Affiliate Network |
|---|---|
| Etihad Airways | Partnerize, MyLead |
| Emirates US Airline | CJ Affiliate, Rakuten Advertising, EarnKaro, Cuelinks |
| Qatar Airways | CJ Affiliate |
| Skyscanner | Impact |
| Hawaiian Airlines | CJ Affiliate |
| Opodo | Awin |
| KLM Airlines | Runs on KLM's in-house affiliate platform |
| CheapTickets | CJ Affiliate |
| Air france | TradeTracker |
| CheapOair | Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction (CJ), Impact |
| Omio | Impact |
| Dollar Flight Club | Refersion |
| Travelocity | CJ Affiliate, FlexOffers |
| Kayak | CJ Affiliate, FlexOffers, TradeTracker |
1. Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, offers a remunerative affiliate program for travel bloggers and marketers, connecting travelers to over 100 global destinations with a modern fleet and exceptional Arabian hospitality. Since its establishment in 2003, Etihad has become one of the world's fastest-growing airlines, carrying 18.6 million passengers in 2019.
The Etihad Airways affiliate program enables partners to earn commissions by promoting the airline's services, reaching a network that spans six continents. In 2020, Etihad operated over 80,000 flights, showcasing its resilience during challenging times.
Etihad Airways Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: 2% per sale
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- USP: Strong brand with global reach, eco-friendly initiatives, and luxurious service.
- Official URL: Etihad Airways Affiliate Program
2. Emirates
Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline, offers a bankable affiliate program for travel marketers. With a network spanning 150+ destinations across six continents, Emirates provides ample opportunities for affiliates to earn commissions. The program boasts competitive rates of 1.25% to 2.5% per booking, with a 30-day cookie duration through CJ Affiliate.
Affiliates can promote Emirates' world-class services, including its fleet of 250+ wide-body aircraft and extensive route network. In 2020-2021, Emirates served 6.6 million passengers, highlighting its significant market presence. This airline affiliate program provides access to marketing materials, real-time reporting, and dedicated support, making it an attractive option for those looking to monetize travel-related content.
Emirates Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission rate: 0.7% – 2.5% per sale, depending on the network and booking type.
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- USP: Emirates is a globally recognized airline known for its luxurious in-flight experience and extensive network of over 150 destinations worldwide.
- Official URL: Emirates Affiliate Program
3. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, one of the world's fastest-growing airlines, carried approximately 40 million passengers in FY2023/24, an 8 million increase from the previous year. The Doha-based carrier flies to over 170 destinations across six continents using a fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
The Qatar Airways affiliate program allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting flights and services. Qatar Airways serves over 170 destinations worldwide and has an average order value of $1,000. In 2022, it was named Airline of the Year by Skytrax for the seventh time.
Qatar Airways Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: Up to 2%
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: Partner with one of the world's leading airlines known for its luxury and high-converting website.
- Official URL: Qatar Airways Affiliate Program
4. Skyscanner
Skyscanner, a global travel search engine serving over 100 million monthly users, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel bloggers and marketers. Partners can earn up to 20% commission on bookings and redirects through the Impact.com network. The program features a 30-day cookie duration and provides access to various promotional tools, including widgets and deep links.
Skyscanner's extensive reach, covering 35 languages across 60 countries, offers affiliates ample opportunity to monetize their travel-related content. While the actual earnings per sale typically range from $0.40 to $1.00, high-performing affiliates can benefit from increased commission rates, also Skyscanner facilitated over 172 million travel searches in 2019.
Skyscanner Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: Up to 20% of Skyscanner's income from each booking
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: Earn commissions by promoting a leading travel search engine with a wide range of flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Official URL: Skyscanner Affiliate Program
5. Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, the Aloha State's premier carrier since 1929, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers. Partners can earn a 1.5% commission on flight bookings and 0.5% on vacation packages through the CJ Affiliate network. The program features a 30-day cookie duration, providing ample opportunity for conversions. With Hawaiian Airlines serving over 11.8 million passengers annually and generating $2.8 billion in revenue, affiliates can tap into a significant market.
The airline's extensive network, connecting Hawaii with the U.S. mainland and international destinations, offers different promotional opportunities. Affiliates gain access to marketing materials showcasing Hawaiian's authentic hospitality and island-inspired amenities. This airline affiliate program presents a valuable opportunity for travel bloggers and content creators to monetize their Hawaiian and Pacific region-focused content.
Hawaiian Airlines Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: Up to 1.5% per sale
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: Hawaiian Airlines is renowned for its on-time performance, complimentary meals on transpacific routes, and no change fees on Main Cabin and Premium Cabin seats
- Official URL: Hawaiian Airlines Affiliate Program
6. Opodo
Opodo, a leading pan-European online travel agency, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers and content creators. Partners can earn a competitive 10% commission on flight bookings, hotels, and vacation packages through the Awin network. The program features a 30-day cookie duration, providing ample opportunity for conversions.
Opodo's extensive reach across Europe and its different travel offerings, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, present numerous promotional opportunities for affiliates. In 2019, Opodo generated €4.2 billion in gross bookings, highlighting its strong market presence. The program provides affiliates with real-time performance tracking, a variety of promotional materials, and the potential for bespoke collaborations.
Opodo Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: 1% to 5.5%
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: Opodo offers access to over 660 airlines, 1.7M+ hotels in 200+ countries, and 7000+ car rental locations worldwide from a Pan-European travel service.
- Official URL: Opodo Affiliate Program
7. KLM Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the Netherlands' flag carrier, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers. Partners can earn 1% commission on medium-haul flights and 1.5% on long-haul flights through the Partnerize network. The program features a 30-day cookie duration and provides cross-country tracking, ensuring affiliates are compensated for bookings regardless of departure airport or currency.
KLM's extensive network, serving over 160 destinations worldwide, offers diverse promotional opportunities. Affiliates gain access to marketing tools including a link maker, product feed, flight search widget, and custom mobile banners. With KLM carrying 35.1 million passengers in 2019, this airline affiliate program presents a valuable opportunity for travel bloggers and content creators to monetize their European and international travel-focused content.
KLM Airlines Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: 1% for medium-haul bookings, 1.5% for long-haul bookings
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: Earn commissions on all KLM.com bookings regardless of carrier, with cross-country tracking, dedicated support, and marketing tools like link generators and widgets.
- Official URL: KLM Airlines Affiliate Program
8. CheapTickets
CheapTickets, a leading online travel agency under the Expedia Group umbrella, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers. Partners can earn commissions ranging from 1% to 6% on various travel products, including flights, hotels, and vacation packages. The program is available through multiple networks, including CJ Affiliate and FlexOffers, with a 7-day cookie duration.
CheapTickets' user-friendly platform and extensive inventory of budget-friendly options make it appealing to cost-conscious travelers. In 2020, the company generated $1.2 billion in gross bookings, highlighting its strong market presence. Affiliates gain access to a wide selection of marketing tools, including banners, text links, and data feeds.
CheapTickets Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: $2 per flight ticket sale; 1% to 5% for other services.
- Cookie Duration: 7 days
- USP: Offers a flat commission rate and a wide range of travel products including flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages.
- Official URL: CheapTickets Affiliate Program
9. Air France
Air France, a leading global airline serving over 200 destinations in 90 countries, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers. Partners can earn commissions ranging from 1% to 1.25% on ticket sales through the TradeTracker network. The program features a 30-day cookie duration and provides cross-country tracking. Affiliates gain access to a comprehensive dashboard with advanced analytics and promotional tools, including banners and deep links.
Air France's extensive network and French-inspired service present diverse marketing opportunities. With 52.5 million passengers carried and €16.1 billion in revenue generated in 2019, this airline affiliate program offers significant potential for travel bloggers and content creators. The program also benefits from regular peak periods, sales openings, and special promotions throughout the year, enhancing earning potential for affiliates.
Air France Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: 1.25% per sale
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: Earn commissions for promoting a globally recognized airline with no minimum payout threshold and a 30-day cookie duration.
- Official URL: Air France Affiliate Program
10. CheapOair
CheapOair, a leading online travel agency, offers affordable flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages to destinations worldwide. With a simple platform and 24/7 customer support, CheapOair simplifies the travel booking process for its customers.
The CheapOair affiliate program allows partners to earn commissions by promoting the company's travel services to their audience. In 2019, CheapOair generated $4.5 billion in gross bookings, highlighting its success in the competitive online travel market.
CheapOair Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission rate: $5 – $35 per sale, depending on product type and sales volume.
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- USP: Leading flight-focused online travel agency offering competitive commissions on flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages.
- Official URL: CheapOair Affiliate Program
11. Omio
Omio, a leading European multi-modal travel platform, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers and content creators. Partners can earn commissions ranging from 2% to 8% on bookings through the Impact network. The program features a 30-day cookie duration and provides access to over 1,000 travel partners across 37 countries. Affiliates benefit from Omio's comprehensive search API, widgets, and extensive media library, including banners and deep links.
With 27 million monthly users and coverage of 207 airports, Omio's platform presents diverse promotional opportunities for train, bus, and flight bookings. This airline affiliate program is particularly valuable for those focusing on European travel content, offering a unique combination of transportation options and competitive commissions for a wide range of travel services.
Omio Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: 2-8% depending on customer country
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: Omio is a comprehensive travel platform that allows users to compare and book trains, buses, and flights across Europe, providing a one-stop solution for all travel needs.
- Official URL: Omio Affiliate Program
12. Dollar Flight Club
Dollar Flight Club offers an attractive affiliate program for travel bloggers and marketers. Partners can earn a substantial 40% commission on premium membership signups through the Refersion network. The program features a generous 90-day cookie duration and provides lifetime commissions on membership renewals. Affiliates also receive $3 for every free signup, enhancing earning potential.
Dollar Flight Club's subscription-based service has helped members save over $500 million on airfare since 2016, showcasing its value to budget-conscious travelers. The program provides access to marketing materials, including banners and text links. With an average savings of $500 per international ticket, this airline affiliate program presents a valuable opportunity for travel content creators to monetize their audience while promoting significant travel savings.
Dollar Flight Club Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission rate: 50% Recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- USP: Earn 50% recurring commissions by promoting a service that provides cheap flight alerts, potentially saving users $500 or more on flights.
- Official URL: Dollar Flight Club Affiliate Program
13. Travelocity
Travelocity, a leading online travel agency, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers and content creators. Partners can earn commissions through the CJ Affiliate network, with rates varying by-product: a $2 flat rate for airline tickets, 3-4% for hotel bookings, 2% for car rentals, 3% for vacation packages, and a $30 flat rate for cruises. The program features a 7-day cookie duration and provides access to a variety of marketing tools, including promotional links and banners.
Travelocity's extensive inventory of travel products and its user-friendly platform makes it appealing to a wide range of travelers. With $2.3 billion in gross bookings generated in 2020, this airline affiliate program presents a valuable opportunity for travel bloggers and websites to monetize their content while offering complete travel solutions to their audience.
Travelocity Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission Rate: 2% – 6% per sale
- Cookie Duration: 45 days
- USP: Comprehensive travel booking platform with a user-friendly interface and price match guarantee, making it easy to plan and book travel with significant savings.
- Official URL: Travelocity Airways Affiliate Program
14. Kayak
Kayak, a leading travel metasearch engine, offers an attractive affiliate program for travel marketers and content creators. Partners can earn up to 50% commission on clicks, bookings, and ad revenue across various travel verticals, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. The program features a 30-minute cookie duration and provides access to a global network of travel brands, including Momondo and HotelsCombined.
With over 39 million monthly visits and 6 billion annual travel searches, Kayak presents a significant opportunity for affiliates to monetize their content. The program offers a range of promotional tools, including deep links, widgets, and APIs for seamless integration. Kayak's affiliate program supports over 15,000 partners who have collectively earned more than $76 million in sales, making it a reliable choice for travel-focused websites and blogs.
Kayak Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Commission rate: Up to 50% on clicks, bookings, and ad revenue across flights, hotels, cars, and packages.
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- USP: High commission rates up to 50%, extensive range of travel products, and robust support for customization and scaling.
- Official URL: Kayak Affiliate Program
Building Trust and Credibility as an Airline Affiliate
Building trust and credibility as an airline affiliate is essential for success. Start by providing honest and detailed reviews of the airline programs you promote. Share your personal experiences and highlight both the pros and cons. Transparency is key; your audience will appreciate your honesty and be more likely to trust your recommendations.
Engage with your readers by responding to comments and questions promptly. This interaction shows that you value their input and are committed to helping them make informed decisions. Additionally, use social proof by showcasing testimonials and success stories from other affiliates who have benefited from the programs you recommend.
Regularly update your content to reflect the latest information and trends in the airline industry. This demonstrates your commitment to providing accurate and up-to-date information, further establishing your credibility. By focusing on these strategies, you can build a loyal audience and succeed as an airline affiliate.
Seasonal and Event-Based Airline Affiliate Strategies
For event-based strategies, align your promotions with major events such as sports tournaments, festivals, and conferences. Tailor your campaigns to the interests of travelers attending these events.
Seasonal and event-based strategies can significantly boost your airline affiliate marketing efforts. During peak travel seasons like summer and winter holidays, focus on promoting special deals and discounts. Create content around popular travel destinations and highlight limited-time offers.
Key Strategies and Focus Areas
| Strategy | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Seasonal Promotions | Holiday deals, travel packages |
| Event-Based Campaigns | Sports, festivals, conferences |
| Content Marketing | Blogs, travel guides |
| Email Marketing | Newsletters, exclusive offers |
Common Queries Related to Airline Affiliate Programs
Which Airlines offer the Best Affiliate Programs?
Popular programs include Qatar Airways, Emirates, KLM, Etihad Airways, and Skyscanner, offering competitive commissions and marketing tools.
How Long Do Cookies Last for Most Airline Affiliate Programs?
What Marketing Materials Do Airline Affiliate Programs Provide?
Can I Join Multiple Airline Affiliate Programs?
Yes, joining multiple programs allows you to offer your audience a variety of travel options and increase your earning potential.
Are There Any Restrictions on How I Can Promote Airline Affiliate Links?
Wrapping Up on Top Airline Affiliate Programs
As we wrap up our journey through the top airline affiliate programs, it's clear that the sky's the limit for affiliate marketers like you and me. From major carriers to metasearch engines, these programs offer a different range of opportunities to monetize your travel-related content.
Remember, success in this space requires more than just signing up. It demands strategic content creation, audience understanding, and continuous optimization. Consider factors such as commission rates, cookie duration, and average order value when selecting the best airline affiliate programs for your website or blog.
So, fasten your seatbelt and prepare for takeoff ✈️
Your journey to passive income through airline affiliate programs starts now!
