The FlexFly platform, launched by Air France last April and tested by the airline over a period of several months, is designed to enable private individuals to purchase tickets that have not been used by another passenger due to unforeseen circumstances. Its principle is based on that of participative economy platforms. Through Flexfly, passengers can place their own a ticket that cannot be used. If a buyer is found, FlexFly undertakes to pay 50% of the ticket price, with the remainder being used to remunerate FlexFly's services and the airlines involved.
For Air France, the idea is appealing and could enable it to limit the harmful effects of no-shows and therefore maximise the load factors of its aircraft. It's also in the interests of the retail traveller. Rather than lose his entire ticket - Although these are of course preferential fares with financial penalties, resale via FlexFly enables Air France to recoup at least half of its investment. As for the end user, Air France would guarantee him or her, via FlexFly, fares 25% cheaper than those offered on its own site.
Would such an offer appeal to business customers? Air France, through the FlexFly site, indicated that it wanted to target a younger clientele and encourage them to travel. The irregularity of the offer - the site only resells unused tickets - creates a random element that is difficult to predict.
It's a fact, only a few routes on the Air France network could be used by an individual business traveller or by an SME via FlexFly, those where the offer is substantial such as Paris-New York or Paris-Montreal where it is likely that around ten tickets become available each day due to the large offer on these markets. Paris-Tokyo, Paris-Antilles and Paris-La Réunion could also have some potential for the FlexFly product for business travel, as could certain major medium-haul routes. Like Paris-Moscow or Paris-Dubai, for example. But the FlexFly offer is more like a lottery... if certain businessmen are gamblers!
