> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.payvessel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Search Flights

> Search for available flights by route, date, and passenger count

Search for available flights. The response contains a list of flight options with pricing and availability. Pass one of the returned `flightKey` values to [Select a Flight](/flight/select-flight) to confirm pricing before booking.

## Trip types

| `tripType`         | Behaviour                                                                     |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `OneWay`           | Requires `origin`, `destination`, `departureDate`                             |
| `Return`           | Requires `origin`, `destination`, `departureDate`, `returnDate`               |
| `MultiDestination` | Requires `legs` array (each leg has `origin`, `destination`, `departureDate`) |

## Usage

### One-way flight

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.payvessel.com/pms/api/external/request/flights/search/ \
  -H "api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "api-secret: YOUR_API_SECRET" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "tripType": "OneWay",
    "origin": "LOS",
    "destination": "ABV",
    "departureDate": "2026-08-20",
    "adultCount": 1,
    "childCount": 0,
    "infantCount": 0,
    "cabinClass": "Economy",
    "currencyCode": "NGN"
  }'
```

### Return flight

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.payvessel.com/pms/api/external/request/flights/search/ \
  -H "api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "api-secret: YOUR_API_SECRET" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "tripType": "Return",
    "origin": "LOS",
    "destination": "LHR",
    "departureDate": "2026-09-01",
    "returnDate": "2026-09-15",
    "adultCount": 2,
    "childCount": 1,
    "infantCount": 0,
    "cabinClass": "Economy",
    "currencyCode": "NGN"
  }'
```

## Request body

| Field              | Type    | Required         | Description                                             |
| ------------------ | ------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `tripType`         | string  | Yes              | `OneWay`, `Return`, or `MultiDestination`               |
| `origin`           | string  | OneWay / Return  | 3-letter IATA code of departure airport                 |
| `destination`      | string  | OneWay / Return  | 3-letter IATA code of arrival airport                   |
| `departureDate`    | date    | OneWay / Return  | Departure date (`YYYY-MM-DD`)                           |
| `returnDate`       | date    | Return only      | Return date (`YYYY-MM-DD`)                              |
| `legs`             | array   | MultiDestination | Array of `{origin, destination, departureDate}` objects |
| `adultCount`       | integer | No               | Number of adult passengers (default: `1`, min: `1`)     |
| `childCount`       | integer | No               | Number of child passengers (default: `0`)               |
| `infantCount`      | integer | No               | Number of infant passengers (default: `0`)              |
| `cabinClass`       | string  | No               | `Economy` (default), `Business`, or `FirstClass`        |
| `preferredAirline` | string  | No               | IATA airline code to filter (e.g. `QR`, `ET`)           |
| `currencyCode`     | string  | No               | Response currency (default: `NGN`)                      |

## Response

The `data` field contains an array of available flight options. Each option includes price, airline, flight numbers, and a `flightKey` to use in the next step.

```json theme={null}
{
  "status": true,
  "message": "Flight search completed",
  "data": {
    "flights": [
      {
        "flightKey": "a1b2c3d4e5f6...",
        "airline": "Arik Air",
        "flightNumber": "W3 204",
        "origin": "LOS",
        "destination": "ABV",
        "departureTime": "2026-08-20T06:30:00",
        "arrivalTime": "2026-08-20T07:45:00",
        "duration": "1h 15m",
        "stops": 0,
        "cabinClass": "Economy",
        "availableSeats": 12,
        "price": {
          "amount": 45000.00,
          "currency": "NGN",
          "breakdown": {
            "base": 38000.00,
            "taxes": 7000.00
          }
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

<Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/flight/search">
  Full request/response details and Try it
</Card>