Mindtree, a global technology services and digital transformation company, guiding its clients to achieve faster business outcomes, announced today the launch of the Lufthansa Open API direct booking functionality. Mindtree supported the Lufthansa Group and Lufthansa Innovation Hub with the technical implementation and conception within the Open API initiative. Through the booking API, authorized developers within the broader ecosystem can now integrate the sale of airline tickets into their own websites and applications using the Lufthansa Open API interface, accelerating context-based travel offers.

"IATA statistics show that Lufthansa is within the exclusive circle of only 4 percent of IATA members providing an Open API. The booking capability is an incredible accomplishment by the whole team from within Lufthansa Group IT, Mindtree and the Lufthansa Innovation Hub," said Reinhard Lanegger, Senior Venture Development Manager, Lufthansa Innovation Hub and Project Lead, Lufthansa Open API. "Opening such a core feature to be used by early stage startups and ventures is a great opportunity and strengthens Lufthansa Group's direct distribution strategy. Together, we have taken another huge step forward in our Open API journey."

Many travel services use the API interface for functions such as timetabling, flight status and seat maps.

By providing access to the airline's booking functionality, external programmers can now leverage flight search, selection, and ticketing data via developer.lufthansa.com to include in their own services and provide an elevated customer experience.

Mindtree is responsible for managing and supporting the integration of direct booking functionality into the Lufthansa Open API. A leader in API enablement, Mindtree helps travel and hospitality organizations, globally, conceptualize, build and maintain business solutions through an end-to-end engagement approach. Being engaged in the full lifecycle of the business solution enables Mindtree to identify specific opportunities that complement a business' digital strategy with the effective application of APIs.

"APIs have led to rapid, crowd sourced innovation in the travel industry," said Nalin Vij, SVP & Global Head - Travel, Transportation & Hospitality Group, Mindtree. "With Mindtree's 'API first' approach for enterprise connected services, Lufthansa has created new business opportunities and ways of travel planning that will enable streamlined experiences for travelers worldwide. We are excited to be part of Lufthansa's journey and look forward to creating more immersive digital experiences together."

Early stage startups, ventures, or those new to air travel, can now leverage the booking functionality for Lufthansa flights from the UK. Lufthansa plans to gradually expand this functionality into more markets.