Can I search for flights through the API without showing every single result to my customers, so I can filter out the ones that don't work for my business?

Yes, you can filter flight results through the API based on rules that matter to your business, though what you can filter depends on what the flight suppliers allow. Most flight APIs let you set parameters before you search, such as a minimum or maximum number of stops, preferred airlines, departure time windows, or price ranges. This means you can search broadly but only show your customers the flights that meet your criteria, rather than displaying every option the supplier returns.

The filtering happens at two stages. First, you can build your search request to ask suppliers only for flights that match certain conditions, which reduces what comes back to you in the first place. Second, you can take the full results you receive and apply your own rules before showing anything to your customers. For example, you might search for all flights but then hide any that fall below your profit margin or that have a connection time that seems too tight.

What you can actually filter depends on the suppliers and what data they include in their responses. Some suppliers provide detailed information about aircraft type, meal service, or seat availability that you could use to narrow things down further, while others give you only the basics. The API documentation from your supplier will show you exactly which fields you can filter on and which ones are available in their data.

Start by checking what filter options your flight supplier supports in their API guide, then work with your development team or glideFares support to set up the rules that match how you want to run your business.