Alternative Airlines
 | |
| Company type | Private (Ltd) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Online travel agency |
| Founded | January 6, 1994 (incorporation) 2006 (operational launch) |
| Founder | Samuel Argyle |
| Headquarters | Suite 6f, Gatwick House, Peeks Brook Lane, Horley, Surrey, England, RH6 9ST |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Samuel Paul Argyle (Director) |
| Products | Flight booking; payment options (BNPL, crypto, etc.) |
| Website | alternativeairlines.com |
Alternative Airlines is a UK based online flight booking company headquartered in Horley, West Sussex. The company operates a web based platform that allows users to search, compare, and purchase airline tickets from a range of global airlines, integrating multiple payment methods including buy now, pay later (BNPL) and cryptocurrency options.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]Alternative Airlines Limited was incorporated in England and Wales on 6 January 1994.[4] The company launched its online flight booking platform in 2006, which allow users to access tickets from multiple carriers through a single interface. The platform connects flights from over 600 airlines, including full service, regional, and low-cost carriers.[1][5]
In 2019, the company was ranked 93rd in The Sunday Times Tech Track 100, a league table of the United Kingdom's privately held technology companies with the fastest growing sales.[6]
According to filings at Companies House, the company reported annual revenue of £75.2 million in 2023 and £83 million in 2024.[1][7]
Partnerships
[edit]Alternative Airlines has announced partnerships with several travel technology and financial service providers. In 2024, Amadeus renewed its collaboration with the company to support booking infrastructure.[8][9] That same year, Alternative Airlines became the launch partner for Affirm’s UK based BNPL service for air travel.[2][10][11] It also associated with Singapore based payment processor Triple-A to enable cryptocurrency payments on its platform.[3][12]
Media coverage
[edit]The company has been cited in various media outlets for its travel data and platform features. In December 2022, The Telegraph referenced Alternative Airlines in a feature on the cheapest days to fly.[13] The New York Post and other publications have highlighted the platform's ability to filter flights by aircraft type, allowing travelers to avoid specific models.[14][15] Earlier, The Times included Alternative Airlines in a roundup of recommended flight booking websites.[16]
Operations
[edit]Alternative Airlines operates globally, offering services in multiple currencies and languages.[1] They also allow for the booking of open-jaw tickets, which has been noted in media as a potential cost saving option for travelers.[17] The platform supports payment methods including PayPal, Stripe, Klarna, Affirm, Slice Pay[18], and cryptocurrencies. The company positions itself as a flexible option for international travelers seeking alternative payment solutions.[3][19][20]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Ltd, Travel Weekly Group (22 November 2023). "Alternative Airlines soars to new heights to reach £75M in revenue". Travolution. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ a b Kular, Dalvinder (11 April 2024). "Klarna rival Affirm launches in the UK". FStech. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Alternative Airlines adds crypto payments with Triple-A". thepaypers.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "ALTERNATIVE AIRLINES LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "The daring travel trend that has Britons hooked". www.telegraph.co.uk. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Tech Track 100 league table 2019". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Ltd, Travel Weekly Group (24 April 2025). "Alternative Airlines reveals best financial year to date". Travolution. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Innovative Alternative Airlines extends long-standing Amadeus collaboration". amadeus.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Amadeus extends Alternative Airlines partnership". Breaking Travel News. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ Sawers, Paul (4 November 2024). "Affirm launches in the UK as 'buy now, pay later' market faces regulatory overhaul". TechCrunch. Regent LP. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Buy now, pay later giant Affirm expands to the UK in first major international foray". CNBC. NBCUniversal News Group. November 2024. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ "Q&A: Exploring the role of cryptocurrency in travel's recovery". www.phocuswire.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Hyde, Amanda (22 December 2022). "The truth about the cheapest day to fly – and five ways to bag a bargain". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ Cost, Ben (14 March 2024). "Innovative booking tool allows travelers to avoid flying on 'terrifying' 737 MAX planes: 'If it's Boeing, I'm not going'". The New York Post. News Corp. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ Gallagher, Declan (14 March 2024). "New Booking Tool Allows Travelers to Avoid Certain Airplane Models, Including 737 MAX". Men's Journal. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Best websites for booking flights". www.thetimes.com. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ Duffy, Tom (15 June 2024). "MOUTH OFF The 'open-jaw' flights that can save you money on your European holiday this year". The Sun. News Group Newspapers Limited. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Travel Daily | An alternative slice". traveldaily.com.au. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ "Alternative Airlines and Klarna enable flexible payment alternatives for travellers across Europe". www.klarna.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Alternative Airlines becomes the first travel company to use Stripe's Issuing Travel BIN for its travel offering". stripe.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.