Amadeus Flight API Integration for Travel Portal Development

Getting Started with Amadeus APIs

Amadeus is one of the world's leading GDS systems. They offer two categories of APIs: Self-Service (for developers, startups, and quick mockups) and Enterprise (for full-scale OTAs, requiring high volumes and commercial certification).

This technical tutorial outlines the core integration phases to build a flight booking engine utilizing the Amadeus REST API.

Session Token Authorization Lifecycle

To optimize API query usage and maintain sub-second search times, OAuth2 session tokens must be stored in a centralized cache layer rather than requested fresh for every query.

Flight Booking Engine Integration Steps

Step 1: OAuth2 Authentication

Every API call requires a Bearer token. To fetch a token, you make a POST call to the token endpoint with your API Key and Secret:

Step 2: Flight Offers Search

Query the `/v2/shopping/flight-offers` GET endpoint with parameter lists like originDestinations, departureDate, and passenger details. This returns available flight pricing, segments, and airline operators.

Step 3: Fare Price Validation

Fares change constantly. Before presenting the payment gate, make a POST call to `/v1/shopping/flight-offers/pricing` sending the selected offer details. Amadeus returns the verified final price and baggage restrictions.

Step 4: Create Flight Booking (PNR)

Transmit traveler details and verified price offer token to `/v1/booking/flight-orders`. Amadeus will register the booking, create a Passenger Name Record (PNR), and return a booking reference.