SunExpress is enabling customers to search for and book flights via Amazon Alexa.
The Germany-based airline is using technology from InteRES to enable the service which also allows customers to pay via Amazon Pay.
InteRES has created an Alexa skill as part of its Airline Retail Engine which currently enables booking in German with English to be added shortly.
The retail engine has been developed using an NDC-based API and the plan is to offer ancillaries via Alexa as well.
SunExpress, which is a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, is claiming a first for the voice booking service.
InterRES director of airline solutions Alexander von Bernstorff says the Alexa skill is “the latest example of how our Airline Retail Engine opens up totally new horizons. Airlines can dip their toes into digital marketing, in real-time, without taking a lot of risk.”
Skyscanner was the first travel search provider to offer voice search to find flights three years ago. Since then metasearch rivals including Kayak as well as a number of airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair have added their own Alexa skills.
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The jury is still out on how much traction voice assistants will gain when it comes to actual bookings with some believing they may never catch on.