Do you want to build a website that provides flight data but don’t know where to begin? We have a recommendation that might be a great help in your project.
What is flight data?
Flight data refers to code that provides information about flights. This can include flight schedules, flight status, and other useful information about a given flight. It can be used by airlines and airports to provide up-to-date information to customers.
What is an API?
An API (application programming interface) is the method a programmer uses to connect two existing systems together to create a new system that uses both of their strengths together. It is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. One common way an API can be implemented is by using a RESTful HTTP server that returns JSON or XML responses.
Why should you use an API to build a flight data website?
Because it’s fast, easy, and cheap! By using an API to get flight data directly instead of manually entering it all into your website, you can save yourself hours upon hours of work and hundreds of dollars in fees.
Airports have begun employing airport feeds and APIs to make data more available in recent years. An application programming interface (API) is a method of embedding a third-party application on another website.
Thankfully, we’ve discovered a very accurate, easy-to-use API that can help us do just that.
FlightLabs
FlightLabs enables finding and obtaining real-time worldwide flight information from a range of airlines and airports simple and quick. This API provides real-time information about flights, airports, schedules, timetables, IATA codes, and other topics.
A passenger or an agency can use this API to get current flight discounts from a range of airlines. It will also make it much easier for developers to integrate all of the data into a platform or application. The data is also available in a variety of computer languages, including JSON, Python, and PHP.
The Flightlabs API includes a lot of features.
- Airports Database
- Airline Routes
- Cities Database
- Countries Database
- Airlines Database
- Historical and Live Flight
How can I use an API for my flight data website?
To obtain information on international airports, use the following methods:
- Go to www.goflightlabs.com and create an account. After that, search for symbols that signify an airport or airline.
- You can use the API once you’ve used these symbols. Your account dashboard will provide you with a unique API key.
- Press the “run” button to complete the operation. On your screen, the API will show. The information is also available in a number of other computer languages.
If you were to make an API call, for example, the request might look like this:
https://app.goflightlabs.com/airports
? access_key = YOUR_ACCESS_KEY
And the response would be as follows:
{
"data": [
{
"flight_date": "2019-12-12",
"flight_status": "active",
"departure": {
"airport": "San Francisco International",
"timezone": "America/Los_Angeles",
"iata": "SFO",
"icao": "KSFO",
"terminal": "2",
"gate": "D11",
"delay": 13,
"scheduled": "2019-12-12T04:20:00+00:00",
"estimated": "2019-12-12T04:20:00+00:00",
"actual": "2019-12-12T04:20:13+00:00",
"estimated_runway": "2019-12-12T04:20:13+00:00",
"actual_runway": "2019-12-12T04:20:13+00:00"
},
[...]
]
}
Related posts:
Get Historical Airport Data With An API
Get Departure Time Data Using An API
Also published on Medium.