Enterprise Modernization

Enterprise Modernization: How a Global Airline Increased Ancillary Revenue by 22% with a New AI-Powered Mobile App

Industry Aviation

  • Client Revenues

    $10B+ Client Revenues

  • Successful Years

    12+ Successful Years

  • IT Ninjas

    1000+ IT Ninjas

  • Successful Projects

    5000+ Projects

Client's Testimonial

Developers.dev didn't just rebuild our app; they re-architected our mobile commerce strategy. Their expertise in both legacy modernization and cutting-edge AI was the perfect combination. The new platform is not only stable and scalable but is now our primary driver of high-margin ancillary revenue. The 22% uplift is just the beginning.

Avery Winscott, VP of Digital Transformation

Avery Winscott, VP of Digital Transformation, AeroLink Airlines

Client Introduction

A legacy international airline with over 20 million annual passengers, operating in a highly competitive market. Their existing mobile application was over eight years old, built on a monolithic architecture, and struggled with performance issues, a clunky user interface, and an inability to support modern personalization features. This resulted in low user engagement and significant revenue loss to more agile competitors.

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Airline App Problem

Problem

The airline's outdated app was a liability. It couldn't effectively sell ancillary products (seat upgrades, lounge access, extra baggage), suffered from frequent crashes during peak booking times, and had a 1.8-star rating on the app stores, damaging brand perception.

Key Challenges

Migrating from a complex, poorly documented monolithic backend

Migrating from a complex, poorly documented monolithic backend to a modern microservices architecture without disrupting ongoing operations.

Migrating from a complex, poorly documented monolithic backend to a modern microservices architecture without disrupting ongoing operations.

Integrating with a dozen legacy internal systems

Integrating with a dozen legacy internal systems, including the GDS, loyalty program database, and crew scheduling software.

Integrating with a dozen legacy internal systems, including the GDS, loyalty program database, and crew scheduling software.

Developing a sophisticated AI personalization engine

Developing a sophisticated AI personalization engine to provide tailored offers to millions of diverse users in real-time.

Developing a sophisticated AI personalization engine to provide tailored offers to millions of diverse users in real-time.

Ensuring the new application met stringent aviation industry security

Ensuring the new application met stringent aviation industry security and data privacy standards.

Ensuring the new application met stringent aviation industry security and data privacy standards.

Our Solution for Airline App

Our Solution

Developers.dev assembled a dedicated POD of 25 experts, including cloud architects, Java and Swift/Kotlin developers, AI/ML engineers, and a UI/UX design studio.

⚙️ Re-architecting the Backend

We designed and implemented a cloud-native microservices architecture on AWS, breaking down the monolith into independent, scalable services for bookings, check-in, ancillary sales, and user profiles.

🔗 Building an API Gateway

We created a robust API gateway to act as a secure and managed intermediary between the new app and the legacy backend systems, ensuring a smooth transition.

🧠 Developing the AI Engine

Our AI team built a recommendation engine using machine learning models to analyze user data and predict which ancillary offers were most likely to convert, personalizing the user's journey.

📱 Crafting a Native Mobile Experience

We built new, high-performance native apps for iOS and Android from the ground up, focusing on a frictionless UI and a 3-tap booking process.

Implementation and Execution

Conducted an intensive 4-week discovery and architecture design phase

Conducted an intensive 4-week discovery and architecture design phase

Conducted an intensive 4-week discovery and architecture design phase.

Utilized an Agile methodology with two-week sprints to ensure transparency and iterative feedback

Utilized an Agile methodology with two-week sprints to ensure transparency and iterative feedback

Utilized an Agile methodology with two-week sprints to ensure transparency and iterative feedback.

Employed a 'strangler pattern' to gradually phase out the old monolith, minimizing risk

Employed a "strangler pattern" to gradually phase out the old monolith, minimizing risk

Employed a "strangler pattern" to gradually phase out the old monolith, minimizing risk.

Built a comprehensive CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins and Kubernetes for automated testing and deployment

Built a comprehensive CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins and Kubernetes for automated testing and deployment

Built a comprehensive CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins and Kubernetes for automated testing and deployment.

Performed rigorous load testing to ensure the app could handle 3x the anticipated peak traffic

Performed rigorous load testing to ensure the app could handle 3x the anticipated peak traffic

Performed rigorous load testing to ensure the app could handle 3x the anticipated peak traffic.

Managed a phased, geo-targeted rollout to monitor performance and gather user feedback before a global launch

Managed a phased, geo-targeted rollout to monitor performance and gather user feedback before a global launch

Managed a phased, geo-targeted rollout to monitor performance and gather user feedback before a global launch.

Positive Outcome

📈 22% Increase in Ancillary Revenue

The AI-powered offer engine led to a significant and immediate uplift in sales of high-margin products.

⭐ App Store Rating Improved from 1.8 to 4.7 Stars

The new, intuitive, and stable app was a hit with users, leading to a dramatic improvement in public perception.

💸 40% Reduction in Server Costs

Migrating to a scalable, serverless AWS architecture optimized resource usage and lowered infrastructure expenses.

🚀 5x Faster Feature Deployment

The new microservices architecture allowed the airline to develop and deploy new features in weeks instead of months.

Positive Outcome for Airline App

Why Choose Us

🔄 Legacy Modernization Expertise

Proven ability to handle complex, high-risk migrations.

🤖 AI/ML Prowess

In-house team dedicated to building revenue-driving AI solutions.

✅ CMMI Level 5 Process

Ensured predictable, high-quality delivery on a mission-critical project.

☁️ Scalable Cloud Architecture

Deep expertise in AWS and cloud-native design.

🤝 Dedicated POD Model

A cohesive, managed team that acted as a true partner.

✈️ Aviation Domain Knowledge

Understanding of GDS, ticketing, and industry regulations.

🔒 Ironclad Security

SOC 2 certified processes to protect sensitive customer data.

⚡ Performance Engineering

A commitment to building fast, reliable applications.

🗣️ Transparent Communication

Daily stand-ups and detailed weekly reports kept all stakeholders aligned.

Conclusion

By partnering with Developers.dev, the airline successfully transformed its mobile channel from a cost center into a powerful revenue-generating and brand-building asset, positioning itself for future growth and innovation in the competitive aviation market.