Group travel is trending: Omio launches seat reservation feature “Seat Maps” and ‘Seat Maps Air’ for train and plane journeys

Group travel is trending: Omio launches seat reservation feature “Seat Maps” and ‘Seat Maps Air’ for train and plane journeys

• Seat reservations for train journeys in Germany and Italy as well as globally for air travel with various airlines can now be booked via Omio. 
• Omio gives travelers more control and provides easier access to seamless, multimodal travel.
• The use of Seat Maps for rail travel is becoming increasingly popular: since the start of the beta phase in May, the use of seat reservations has increased by almost 20 per cent.
• Seat Maps Air has also already been used for 45 per cent of all bookings since its launch at the beginning of July. 
• Group travel is increasing as group travel accounted for more than a third of all bookings with Omio.

Berlin, 30 Juli 2024. Omio, the world’s leading travel platform for search, comparison and booking, announces the launch of two new features: “Seat Maps” – the option to book seat reservations for train journeys – and “Seat Maps Air” – the option to book a seat on flights.  The reservation feature is now available in Germany and Italy for Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia, Frecciarossa and Italo trains within the respective national borders.  Seat bookings for air travel are available for flights operated by EasyJet, Eurowings, Iberia, Transavia, Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa Group, Vueling and Air France / KLM Group. This is Omio’s response to travellers’ need to manage the entire travel planning within one app, and offers  more information on whether their ticket allows seat reservations and their desire for more control over seat selection.  

The new feature allows passengers to select seats according to their personal preference, be it a window seat, an aisle seat or – when booking a train – also a seat in the quiet compartment. A clear seat map (‘Seat Map’ or ‘Seat Map Air’) graphically displays the available seats and shows which seats are free so that the desired seat can be reserved.

“At Omio, our dedication lies in enhancing and streamlining the travel journey. We are thrilled to unveil a significant enhancement in this regard: Moving forward, our customers can now reserve and choose their seats ahead of time when making a booking for train journeys or flights – whether it’s a window seat, a four-person compartment, or a spot near power outlets. The option to secure your preferred seat in advance elevates the travel planning experience, making it more pleasant and seamless.”says Veronica Diquattro, President B2C & Supply Europe Omio.

In the last two years, Omio has recorded an increase in the number of group tours booked. In 2024, group travel accounted for more than a third of all bookings made with Omio in Germany. The most frequently booked destinations by German group travellers within Germany include Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt. These cities are not only popular for their tourist attractions, but also as venues for major music and sporting events, which are increasingly attracting group travellers. The launch of the reservation features makes it possible for groups of friends and families to book seats together. Solo travellers also have the opportunity to travel according to their seating preferences.

The next step is to introduce “seat maps” for trains operated by SNCF, Ouigo Spain, Renfe and Movelia, and also to make “Seat-Maps Air” available to more airlines.