Heathrow Express launches improved third-party ticketing platform

Heathrow Express has launched its new JSON REST API Developer Portal, making it faster and easier than ever before for third-party booking platforms to integrate the train service’s tickets into their own systems.

The new platform provides an easy and accessible way for partners to engage with the Heathrow Express Digital Platform. It provides a tried and tested, secure, industry standard mechanism for integrating Heathrow Express ticket sales into a partner’s sales channel. This platform reduces integration cost and time to market for prospective partners.

Heathrow Express has commenced migrating current partners across to the new platform and has attracted interest from new travel-tech partners including airlines operating to London, traditional travel companies and corporate travel buyers.

Mark Eastwood, Heathrow Express Business Development Manager said: “We are delighted to be providing this technology. It enables third-party distributors to easily include Heathrow Express tickets within their booking platforms. For airline and travel industry partners, this provides an extra revenue stream, a seamless booking experience for customers and a new offering for both corporate and leisure travellers. Our team is seeing significant interest from new tech start-ups looking to broaden their product offering and grow their online presence.

“This technology is also allowing us to work with new partners across the globe, particularly in emerging markets such as South East Asia and beyond. Our sandbox environment allows partner developers to co-create and test their own integrated API system, ensuring Heathrow Express ticket sales work seamlessly alongside their own platforms before being launched to customers. We are excited about the future and are looking forward to seeing Heathrow products sold across new channels.”

Sophie Chapman, Heathrow Express Director, said: “We are very pleased to be offering our partners a new and easy way to integrate the Heathrow Express booking process and an extra revenue stream. Speed and convenience are crucial to Heathrow Express customers and our continued investment in technology will ensure that continues. The launch of the upgraded API is also an excellent opportunity to remind customers and partners alike that Heathrow Express is the fastest way from central London to Heathrow Airport and that we have committed to be the cleanest, safest and most environmentally responsible airport transfer provider.”

Berlin-based Distribusion Technologies was the first partner to connect to the new API, and they have ensured that there will be a smooth migration of Heathrow Express services to the world’s largest online travel agencies.