The aviation industry has rebounded stronger than ever, creating unprecedented opportunities for affiliate marketers in the travel space. After challenging years, the landscape has transformed dramatically with renewed travel enthusiasm driving remarkable growth across airline partnerships.

Recent market research reveals compelling trends that signal exceptional opportunities ahead. Research from March 2022 revealed that 70% of Americans planned to take a leisure trip in the next 12 months, while 47% were planning to or more trips within the same period. Additional studies show 80% of Americans who have traveled internationally in the past 14 months feel like they need overseas vacations more than ever in 2023.

These shifting consumer behaviors create excellent prospects for the global airline industry, which analysts project will be worth $744 billion by 2026, representing more than double its 2020 valuation.

For affiliate marketers, the travel niche presents diverse monetization opportunities spanning budget-conscious travelers to luxury trips and adventure seekers. Industry data shows that the average travel website earns more than $13,000 per month, according to comprehensive affiliate marketing statistics.

Ready to capitalize on airline tickets, flight deals, and vacation packages? This comprehensive guide examines the most profitable airline affiliate programs available today.

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1. Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways operates as one of the Middle East’s premier carriers, connecting travelers to over 150 international destinations worldwide. The airline’s excellence has been recognized consistently, with Skytrax naming it Airline of the Year in 2022 for an unprecedented seventh successive time. Additional accolades include recognition for World’s Best Business Class among other prestigious awards.

The Qatar Airways affiliate program operates through two major networks: Awin and FlexOffers. Commission structures range from 1.6% per sale on FlexOffers to 2% through Awin, both featuring 30-day cookie windows. Awin reports indicate an impressive average order value of $1,000.

Approved affiliates gain access to comprehensive creative libraries including HTML and JPG banner formats. Qatar Airways maintains regular communication with partners regarding promotional opportunities and campaign updates.

Program Details:

• URL: Qatar Airways affiliate program
• Commission: 1.6% – 2% per completed sale
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: International flights

2. Kiwi.com

Kiwi.com functions as an innovative online travel agency specializing in connecting transportation options that traditionally operate independently. The platform’s nomad travel search technology analyzes every possible combination of airlines, trains, and bus operators to deliver optimal savings on complex multi-city journeys.

The program utilizes a CPA model where completed sales constitute conversions. Attribution follows last-click methodology, ensuring commissions reach the final traffic source responsible for conversion. Additional benefits include performance-based bonuses and dedicated affiliate management support for strategy optimization.

Commission payments occur monthly in arrears through automated systems, eliminating invoice requirements. The platform offers a competitive 3% commission rate with standard 30-day tracking windows.

Program Details:

• URL: Kiwi.com affiliate program
• Commission: 3% per sale
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: Flight tickets

3. Emirates US Airline

Emirates operates one of the world’s largest airline fleets, utilizing over 260 aircraft to serve 152 international destinations. The carrier transported 19 million passengers during 2021-22, establishing itself as a major force in global aviation.

Passenger experience remains central to Emirates’ strategy, evidenced by recognition for best in-flight entertainment at the 2022 World Airline Awards. The airline holds five-star status from APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association, joining only 22 other carriers with this distinction.

The Emirates affiliate program operates through CJ Affiliate with 30-day cookie tracking. Commission structures include 1.25% on standard US bookings, increasing to 2.5% for specific airport combinations. Commissions calculate based on net fare excluding fuel surcharges and taxes. Emirates Skywards points redemptions are non-commissionable and won’t generate tracking.

Program Details:

• URL: Emirates US affiliate program
• Commission: 1.25% – 2.5% per US sale
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: Airline tickets

4. Skyscanner

Skyscanner has established itself as the world’s leading flight search engine, enabling bookings across hundreds of major airlines. The platform processes 10 billion price searches daily, supports over 90 million monthly active users, and operates in 30+ languages across 52 countries.

The flight affiliate program through Impact Radius offers affiliates a 20% revenue share of Skyscanner’s earnings from each booking. Standard 30-day cookie tracking applies across all transactions.

Skyscanner maintains strict approval standards for affiliate partners. Successful applications require complete HTTPS websites with functional navigation, current travel content, and excellent user experience. Direct ticket booking on behalf of customers is prohibited, and certain business types face restrictions including coupon sites, discount platforms, networks, sub-networks, marketing agencies, and technology partners.

Approved affiliates receive monthly newsletters featuring travel trends, industry events, and exclusive insights. The platform provides sophisticated tools including customizable widgets that allow visitors to search flights, hotels, and cars without leaving partner sites.

Program Details:

• URL: Skyscanner affiliate program
• Commission: 20% of Skyscanner’s booking revenue
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: Flight comparison

5. KAYAK

KAYAK operates a comprehensive travel network encompassing multiple brands including Cheapflights, HotelsCombined, and Momondo. The combined network processes over six billion annual travel searches, maintains relationships with more than two million properties, and collaborates with 15,000+ affiliate partners.

The affiliate program enables earnings through clicks, bookings, and advertising revenue across flights, car rentals, hotels, and vacation packages. Affiliates receive a 50% share of KAYAK’s revenue from travel partner relationships.

Commission processing typically requires 45 days with monthly payments via bank transfer or PayPal upon reaching minimum thresholds. KAYAK provides extensive marketing tools including deep links, widgets, and search functionality. Advanced features include API integration and white-label solutions, making this among the most technologically sophisticated airline affiliate programs available.

Program Details:

• URL: KAYAK affiliate program
• Commission: 50% of KAYAK’s booking revenue
• Cookie Duration: Unlisted
• Products: Flight comparison

6. Momondo

Momondo operates as an international travel agency facilitating price comparisons across 700+ providers for flights, hotels, and car rentals. The platform’s Price Forecast tool utilizes historical data analysis to predict whether flight prices will increase or decrease, helping travelers make informed booking decisions.

As part of the KAYAK network, Momondo affiliates earn 50% of platform revenue from flight, car, hotel, and vacation bookings through the main affiliate program.

An alternative program through CJ Affiliate utilizes session-based tracking, requiring bookings within the same browsing session for commission eligibility. This program offers specific commission rates:

• Flights: $0.48 (desktop/tablet), $0.21 (mobile)
• Hotels: $0.95 (desktop/tablet), $0.56 (mobile)
• Rental Cars: $0.75 (desktop/tablet), $0.55 (mobile)
• Travel Deals: $0.16 (desktop/tablet), $0.14 (mobile)

Monthly commission payments process within 45 days following the relevant month’s conclusion.

Program Details:

• URL: Momondo affiliate program
• Commission: 50% of Momondo’s booking revenue
• Cookie Duration: 30 minutes
• Products: Cheap flights

7. CheapTickets.com

CheapTickets.com operates within the Expedia group, attracting 60+ million monthly unique visitors and partnering with over 400 bookable airlines. The platform features more than 260,000 properties and operates a popular loyalty program offering CheapCash rewards for flight bookings redeemable toward hotel stays.

The affiliate program through CJ Affiliate pays $2 per air booking with rates of 1% – 5% on most other booking categories including hotels, car rentals, and activities. Cruise bookings generate $30 bounty payments. All categories feature seven-day cookie duration.

Air commissions calculate per ticket basis while cruises pay per reservation. Other categories use percentage-based commission structures. CheapTickets.com provides potential incentives for high-quality traffic generation and distributes affiliate newsletters promoting current deals.

Program Details:

• URL: CheapTickets.com affiliate program
• Commission: $2 per air booking
• Cookie Duration: 7 days
• Products: Flight, car hire, cruise, and hotel bookings

8. KLM

KLM serves 92 European cities and 70 international destinations while forming part of Air France KLM, Europe’s largest airline group. The carrier participates in the SkyTeam Alliance, collectively serving 1,063 destinations across 173 countries.

The airline’s global tracking system ensures affiliate compensation for all KLM.com bookings regardless of country, departure airport, currency, or language preferences.

Program access requires Partnerize account creation and approval. Approved affiliates earn 1% commission on medium-haul flights and 1.5% on long-haul routes with 30-day cookie tracking.

KLM provides conversion-focused tools including link generators, product feeds, flight search widgets, and custom mobile banner options.

Program Details:

• URL: KLM affiliate program
• Commission: 1% – 1.5% on flights
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: Short, medium, and long-haul flights

9. Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways operates routes across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. The carrier’s commitment to exceptional service earned recognition as Best First Class at the 2022 Business Traveller Middle East Awards.

The affiliate program operates through FlexOffers, providing 1.6% standard commission on all flight bookings with 30-day cookie tracking. Commission payment options include bank transfer, wire transfer, check, or PayPal.

Program Details:

• URL: Etihad Airways affiliate program
• Commission: 1.6%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: International flight bookings

10. Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines operates approximately 130 inter-island flights plus daily nonstop services to 16 US gateway cities. Long-haul routes extend to American Samoa, Japan, South Korea, Sydney, and Tahiti.

The airline achieved superior on-time performance compared to all US carriers annually from 2004 – 2020 while earning recognition as best US airline at Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers Choice Awards.

The CJ Affiliate program pays 1.5% commission on flight bookings and 0.5% on vacation packages with 30-day cookie duration. Flight completion must occur within 180 days of booking for commission eligibility.

Program Details:

• URL: Hawaiian Airlines affiliate program
• Commission: 1.5% on flights; 0.5% on vacation packages
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: International and domestic flights; vacation packages

11. Omio

Omio enables international travelers to search and book comprehensive journeys by plane, train, ferry, and bus through partnerships with 1,000+ travel providers.

The affiliate program through Impact Radius accepts affiliates operating websites, apps, or online travel agencies. Commission rates range from 2% – 8% per booking with 30-day cookie duration. Impact data indicates a 30-day EPC of €1.10.

Application reviews complete within 14 business days with approval feedback. Accepted affiliates access extensive media libraries featuring various banners, creative assets, search widgets, and API integration.

Program Details:

• URL: Omio affiliate program
• Commission: 2% – 8% per online sale
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: Bus, train, and flight ticket bookings

12. Dollar Flight Club

Dollar Flight Club operates as a membership platform sharing updates on discounted flight deals with savings reaching 90% below regular pricing. The service claims average subscriber savings exceed $500 annually.

The Refersion-powered affiliate program targets partners producing regular travel blog content, showing preference for established audiences over limited social media followers. Approved affiliates earn 50% revenue share on new memberships, equivalent to $35 per sale.

Unlike typical travel programs, Dollar Flight Club offers lifetime commissions, providing additional 50% cuts on customer membership renewals. The program features an extended 90-day cookie window.

Program Details:

• URL: Dollar Flight Club affiliate program
• Commission: 50% revenue share for life
• Cookie Duration: 90 days
• Products: Cheap airline tickets

13. JustFly

JustFly operates within the FlightHub Group, assisting over five million annual customers in finding optimal airfare deals. The platform enables searches and bookings across 440+ airlines while offering car rentals and hotel bookings.

The CJ Affiliate program pays $8 commission on US origin/destination bookings and $16 for all other routes with extensive 45-day cookie tracking. Earning enhancement opportunities exist through private commission arrangements and consumer offers.

Conversion support includes dynamic banner access and dedicated affiliate management services.

Program Details:

• URL: JustFly affiliate program
• Commission: $8 – $16 on flight bookings
• Cookie Duration: 45 days
• Products: International and domestic flight bookings

14. CheapOair

CheapOair facilitates flight comparisons and bookings across 500+ airlines while providing hotel reservations, car rentals, and flight insurance. Parent company Fareportal operates additional brands including OneTravel, Travelong, and Dukes Court Travel. The platform maintains excellent reputation with SiteJabber ratings based on 125,000+ reviews.

Monthly commission distributions exceed $500,000 across the program. Affiliates can join through three major networks: CJ Affiliate, Impact, and Rakuten Linkshare, each offering different terms.

CJ Affiliate provides 30-day cookie tracking with $8 base flight commissions, scaling to $10 for high-volume partners. Vacation packages earn $25 – $35 commissions. Impact Radius offers $5 – $25 per booking with 30-day tracking, while Rakuten features 90-day cookies and $5 – $35 per booking rates.

All networks provide regular promotional newsletters and high-volume booking incentives.

Program Details:

• URL: CheapOair affiliate program
• Commission: $5 – $35 per booking (varies by network and booking type)
• Cookie Duration: 30 – 90 days
• Products: Flights, flight insurance, hotels, car rentals

15. Travelocity

Travelocity operates within the Expedia group as a comprehensive travel solution with particular focus on family travel needs. Search filters specifically help users identify family-friendly trip options.

The CJ Affiliate program pays $2 flat rate on all airline ticket bookings with seven-day cookie duration. Additional earning opportunities include 3% – 4% on hotel bookings, 2% on car rentals, 3% on vacation packages, and $30 flat commission on cruises. New affiliates can earn $20 bonuses for generating three completed trips within their first 30 days.

Program Details:

• URL: Travelocity affiliate program
• Commission: $2 per flight booking
• Cookie Duration: 7 days
• Products: Flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars, travel deals

16. Air France

Air France operates within Europe’s largest airline group alongside partners KLM and Transavia. The French flag carrier earned recognition as Western Europe’s best airline for consecutive years at the 2022 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Program participation requires TradeTracker publisher registration, providing access to tracking tools, statistical reports, and additional features. Approved affiliates earn 1.25% commission on all flight bookings originating from affiliate links within 30-day cookie windows.

Program Details:

• URL: Air France affiliate program
• Commission: 1.25% per flight booking
• Cookie Duration: 30 days
• Products: Short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul flights

Strategic Considerations for Airline Affiliate Success

Success in airline affiliate marketing requires balancing transaction volume against commission rates. Higher-paying programs like KLM and Qatar Airways generate superior per-transaction revenue, while budget-focused options like KAYAK and CheapTickets.com facilitate consistent sales volume.

However, affiliate program selection becomes irrelevant without sufficient traffic generation capabilities. Building effective travel websites requires significant time investment and strategic optimization.

The travel industry offers exceptional earning potential for dedicated affiliate marketers willing to develop comprehensive content strategies and build sustainable traffic sources. Success requires understanding audience preferences, seasonal patterns, and conversion optimization techniques specific to travel bookings.