FlightHub’s growth and evolution to become a leading online travel agency

21.11.2023 - 08:14 / travelweekly.com

People who are eager to experience travel adventures around the globe have many options, but they will stick with products that are user-friendly and offering high value. Now serving more than five million customers each year, FlightHub’s growth journey traces back to its founders’ dedication to innovation in the travel technology space, persistence in a competitive sector, and a diverse talent force focused on collaboration and success.

Launching a Bold Vision for Air Travel: How FlightHub Took off

FlightHub’s inception in 2012 stemmed from partners coming together with a shared passion for and fascination with the travel industry. Eager to explore opportunities and revolutionizing the travel booking process by making it more user-friendly, the Montreal-based company acquired a brick-and-mortar travel agency that held a special place in the heart of FlightHub’s co-founder and first CEO Matt Keezer: Working there was his summertime job.

“We embarked on this ambitious journey, leveraging our collective skills and experiences, and we began building on an initial off-the-shelf booking engine, with the grand vision of creating a platform that would make travel booking a seamless, convienient and enjoyable experience,” says Keezer, who is now CEO of FlightHub’s parent company Momentum Ventures.

FlightHub’s founders used their backgrounds in technology, finance, engineering and marketing to tap into the burgeoning market potential and transform the way people approach travel.

Overcoming Company Challenges

Of course, there were bumps on the runway. Early on, FlightHub navigated a series of challenges that tested its resilience and adaptability, including a limited starting budget. But those limited resources didn’t prevent the company from achieving early financial stability.

“Unlike many start-ups that prioritize rapid growth, which sometimes compromises profitability, we opted for a different route,” explains Keezer. “The team was determined to quickly create value for our customers without compromising our financial stability. We achieved this by crafting a business model that would allow for profitability in the short term that would also allow for growth."

At first, the FlightHub team had a limited knowledge of how complex the aviation sector was. Their expertise mainly centered around internet marketing. To expand their understanding of this industry, they threw themselves into an intense learning process and adapting to the industry’s intricate dynamics.

Embracing gradual growth, FlightHub looked towards lucrative opportunities in niche markets often overlooked by larger corporations. One promising market segment between Canada and Romania caught their eye. Backed by favorable contracts that