Imagine having real-time access to every global flight movement, with advance knowledge of delays or cancellations, and precise cabin seat availability. OAG (Official Airline Guide), as the world's leading aviation data provider, turns this vision into reality through its powerful suite of API services. This article examines OAG's flight information, connections, master data, and schedules APIs, revealing their technical specifications and industry applications.
1. Flight Information Services
OAG's flight information services deliver comprehensive, real-time flight data including schedules, status updates, and seat availability. These structured datasets enable seamless integration for various applications.
Flight Info Alerts
This subscription-based service notifies clients about flight changes including delays, cancellations, or schedule modifications. Key features include:
- Instant API push notifications for subscribed flight events
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28-day trial period with limitations:
- Maximum 10 active alerts
- Global alerts (monitoring all flights) disabled during trial
Flight Info Trial
The 14-day trial version allows testing of both flight information and connection APIs with restrictions:
- 100 API call limit
- Maximum 100 flights returned per call
Flight Info API
The core service provides detailed flight instances including:
- Scheduled and actual departure/arrival times
- Delay information
- Flight routes
- Optional seat availability data (projected and actual)
2. Flight Connection Services
The Flight Info Connections API delivers global passenger and cargo connection data, updated weekly using OAG's verified schedules and Minimum Connection Time (MCT) standards.
Connection Algorithm
The service employs sophisticated logic accounting for:
- Airport infrastructure
- Flight timings
- Passenger flow patterns
- Security procedures
Industry Applications
This API supports:
- Airline route optimization
- Fare structure development
- Connection process improvements at airports
3. Master Data Services
OAG's Master Data APIs provide standardized reference information for key aviation entities:
Location Data
Includes comprehensive airport, city, and country information with geographic coordinates and timezone details.
Carrier Data
Contains airline identification codes (IATA/ICAO) and operational details for carrier-specific analysis.
Equipment Data
Provides aircraft specifications including model, manufacturer, and seating capacity for fleet utilization analysis.
4. Schedule Services
The Schedules API offers near real-time access to OAG's comprehensive flight timetable database.
Data Characteristics
Information includes:
- Flight numbers
- Origin/destination airports
- Departure/arrival times
- Aircraft type
Operational Uses
The API facilitates:
- Flight search functionality
- Travel itinerary planning
- Fare comparison systems
OAG's API suite provides the aviation industry with robust data solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve passenger experiences, and support data-driven decision making. As air travel continues evolving, OAG remains committed to delivering increasingly sophisticated data services to meet industry demands.