If I connect to a flight API, how long does it usually take to get a booking confirmation after my customer pays?

This depends on the airline and how their system works with the API. Most of the time you will get a confirmation within minutes, and your customer will receive their ticket details straight away. Some airlines are faster than others, and a small number may take a few hours to issue the ticket, particularly if they need to carry out extra checks or if there are system delays on their end.

When your customer pays on your portal, the booking request goes to the airline through the flight API. The airline then issues the ticket and sends it back through the system. During busy times or for certain routes, this process can sometimes take a bit longer than usual. You should always let your customer know that they may need to wait a short time before they see their ticket, rather than promising it will appear instantly.

The best thing to do is check with your API provider about what happens after payment and how long confirmations typically take for the airlines you will be selling. They can tell you whether there are any airlines on your portal that are known to be slower, and whether there are any steps you need to take to speed things up. You should also set clear expectations with your customers about when they can expect to receive their ticket confirmation.