Ugandans planning business trips, holidays, studies abroad or visits to family can now search for flights, compare fares and pay for tickets using mobile money through Travel by MoMo, a digital booking service designed to simplify access to air travel.
The platform, developed through a partnership between MTN MoMo Uganda, Next Travel and global travel technology company Amadeus, allows customers to book flights directly through the MTN MoMo app without necessarily needing an international debit or credit card.
Launched in Kampala in July 2026, the service brings flight search, fare comparison, booking and payment into one digital experience, with prices displayed in Uganda shillings.
For many travellers, this offers an alternative to navigating multiple airline websites or relying entirely on physical travel agents to arrange their journeys.
Booking a flight from your phone
Travel by MoMo allows users to search available flights by entering their departure and destination airports, selecting travel dates and specifying the number of passengers.
The platform displays available options, allowing travellers to compare fares, airlines and schedules before choosing an itinerary that fits their needs and budget.
Customers then enter the required passenger details and complete payment using their MTN MoMo wallets. Following successful booking, they receive confirmation and an electronic ticket through the platform's stated delivery process.
The process can be useful for people organising regional business trips, students travelling to universities, families planning holidays and Ugandans arranging international journeys.
Making travel payments more accessible
One of the platform's key features is its use of mobile money for flight payments.
Traditionally, some online travel bookings have required international payment cards or alternative payment arrangements that may not be convenient for every customer. Travel by MoMo provides an option for travellers who can fund their mobile money wallets but do not have access to such cards.
Displaying fares in Uganda shillings also helps customers understand the cost of their selected itinerary in local currency before confirming payment.
The service combines MTN MoMo's payment infrastructure with Next Travel's travel management expertise and Amadeus' global travel technology, which supports access to airline schedules and fares.
A partnership bringing travel and digital payments together
For Next Travel, the partnership provides an opportunity to apply travel management expertise to a digital service accessible through a familiar payment platform.
At the launch, Next Travel General Manager Jonathan Martin Kyeyo said the service was designed around travellers' demand for speed, transparency, convenience and choice.
MTN MoMo Uganda Managing Director Phrase Lubega said the platform was developed in response to challenges customers face when booking flights, including navigating different websites and payment options.
The partnership reflects a wider shift in which digital financial services are being used for more than everyday transactions such as sending money, paying bills and buying airtime. They are increasingly becoming part of how consumers access other services.
What travellers should check before paying
Although digital booking can simplify travel planning, customers should still review the conditions attached to their tickets before completing a transaction.
Travellers should ensure that passenger names match their passports or other applicable travel documents, confirm departure dates and times, and check baggage allowances, stopovers, and any additional charges.
Those travelling internationally should also establish the visa and entry requirements for their destinations. Ticket cancellation, amendment, and refund conditions should be reviewed before payment because they vary according to the fare and applicable booking terms.
Customers should protect their MoMo PINs and verification codes and retain their payment confirmation and electronic tickets for reference.
Taking the next step
As digital services become increasingly integrated into everyday life, Travel by MoMo offers Ugandans another way to plan and pay for air travel using a familiar mobile money service.
The platform does not remove the need to plan ahead or check travel requirements, but it brings several booking steps together in one place.
Ugandans can explore available routes and fares through the official Travel by MoMo platform or access the feature through the MTN MoMo app by selecting Lifestyle, followed by Travel.