If you’ve never booked a flight before, it can feel confusing, especially the first time you try doing it from your phone in Nigeria. The good news is: once you know the steps, it’s actually fast.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to book a flight ticket online in Nigeria the clean, safe, and stress-free way, whether it’s a local trip like Lagos to Abuja or a longer trip outside the country.
This same process works whether you’re thinking, “i want to book a flight” for tomorrow or you’re planning months ahead. By the end, you’ll know how to book flights online in Nigeria, what to prepare, and what to do after payment so you don’t get stuck at the airport.
What You Need to Know Before Booking a Flight in Nigeria
Before you start, keep these basics in mind:
- Booking is usually done through an airline’s official website/app or a trusted travel platform.
- Your ticket is tied to the exact passenger name you enter. Small mistakes can cause delays or extra charges later.
- Domestic flights in Nigeria typically use your government-issued ID during check-in, while international flights require a passport.
- Always confirm your departure airport/city code and flight date twice before paying.
Also, don’t wait until you’re at the airport to start asking questions about baggage, check-in, or payment options. Airlines publish these details on their websites, and airport guidance is also available from official airport authorities.
How to Book a Flight Ticket Online in Nigeria
Here’s the exact workflow for how to book a plane ticket online in Nigeria, from start to finish.
Step 1: Choose where you’re booking from (Airline or Travel Platform)
To book a flight, the first step is to decide which airline to use and then visiting their booking platform. You have two main options here:
- Airline website/app (direct booking)
This is the cleanest option if you already know the airline you want. - Trusted travel platform (comparison booking e.g; wakanow)
This can help you compare prices across airlines for the same route.
For Nigeria, many major airlines provide direct “Book a Flight” and “Manage Booking” tools on their official sites/apps.
Step 2: Enter your trip details
You’ll see a flight search box. Fill in:
- Trip type: One-way or return
- From: your departure city/airport (example: Lagos)
- To: destination city/airport (example: Abuja)
- Travel date(s)
- Number of passengers (adult/child/infant)
If you’re wondering how to book a flight in Nigeria or how to book a flight within Nigeria, this is the same starting point, just choose Nigerian cities (like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, etc.).
Step 3: Pick your flight
You’ll see available flights with:
- departure time
- arrival time
- duration
- fare type (sometimes “Lite/Flex” or Economy/Business)
Pick the one that matches your budget and schedule. If you’re flexible, try adjusting dates, sometimes moving by one day can change the price.
Step 4: Enter passenger details carefully (this part matters)
This is where many people make mistakes.
You’ll typically be asked for:
- Full name (exactly as on your ID/passport)
- Phone number
- Email address (very important, ticket and updates go here)
- Gender
- Date of birth (sometimes required)
This section is also where knowing the details needed to book a flight is really important. If you enter the wrong email, you may not receive your booking confirmation.
Step 5: Add extras (only if you need them)
Depending on the airline, you may be able to add:
- extra baggage
- seat selection
- priority options
- travel insurance (optional)
For baggage expectations, airlines publish their domestic baggage rules and excess baggage charges on their sites.
Step 6: Pay securely
This is the final step for how to book flights online in Nigeria.
Most airlines support options like:
- Nigerian bank-issued debit cards
- Visa/Mastercard (where available)
- bank transfers or online transfer options (varies)
- payment at airport/sales outlet (some airlines)
Some airlines list multiple payment methods including bank-issued debit cards in Nigeria and other options depending on booking location.
Step 7: Save your booking confirmation (PNR/Reference)
After payment, you’ll get:
- a booking reference (PNR)
- an e-ticket or itinerary
- confirmation email/SMS (varies)
Screenshot it and also save it in your email. This is what you’ll use to manage your trip later.
Example: How to Book a Flight from Lagos to Abuja
If your exact question is how to book a flight from Lagos to Abuja, do this:
- Pick your prefered airline
- Visit theier website or app
- Select Lagos as departure city
- Select Abuja as destination
- Choose date (and return date if needed)
- Compare available flights and pick one
- Enter passenger details
- Pay
- Save your booking reference
This is still the same process as how to book a local flight in Nigeria, only the route changes.
How to Book Flights with Different Destinations (Multi-City Trips)
If you’re traveling like:
- Lagos to Abuja to Port Harcourt
or - Nigeria to another country with a stopover city
Look for Multi-city (sometimes called “Multiple destinations”) on the booking page.
Important tip: if you book multi-city on one ticket through an airline, it’s usually easier to manage changes than booking separate one-way tickets across different platforms. If you book separate tickets, treat them like separate trips, each with its own rules.
How Long Does It Take to Book a Flight Ticket?
For most people, the actual booking time is 5 to 15 minutes.
It can take longer if:
- your card is failing or bank OTP is delayed
- network is slow
- you’re comparing many flights
- you’re booking for multiple passengers
So if you’re asking how long does it take to book a flight ticket, assume 10 minutes when everything is smooth, and 20 to 30 minutes if payment is acting up.
Common Problems Nigerians Face When Booking Online (And Fixes)
Here are the issues that make people say “i want to book a flight” and then stop halfway:
1) Payment fails
Fix:
- try another card
- ensure online transactions are enabled on the card
- try the airline’s alternative payment methods if available
2) Wrong email or no confirmation
Fix:
- check spam/junk folder
- use “Manage Booking” on the airline site with your reference to pull it up
3) Name mistakes
Fix:
- contact the airline early. Name correction policies vary, and last-minute corrections can be painful.
What to Do After Booking (Check-In + Airport Timing)
Booking is step one. The next part is showing up correctly.
- Many airlines allow online check-in on their websites/apps (when available).
- For airport timing, official airport guidance in Nigeria notes that local check-in typically opens hours before departure and advises arriving early, especially for international trips.
A simple rule:
- domestic: aim to be at the airport early enough to check-in calmly and handle queues
- international: arrive much earlier due to extra processes
FAQ
How to book a flight online in Nigeria without stress?
Use an airline’s official website/app or a trusted platform, enter details carefully, pay securely, and save your booking reference. That’s the safest way to book a flight ticket online in Nigeria.
Can I book flights online in Nigeria and pay later?
Some airlines offer “hold booking” or installment-style options depending on the airline and route. Always confirm on the airline’s official site before relying on it.
What details are needed to book a flight?
Your full name (as on ID/passport), email, phone number, gender, and sometimes date of birth. For international travel, you’ll need passport details.
How to book a flight from Nigeria to another country?
The steps are the same as local booking, just select your international destination and ensure your passport and any visa requirements are sorted before travel.
How to book international flights from Nigeria?
Choose your destination and date, book on an airline’s official site or a trusted platform, enter your details exactly as on your passport, pay, and save your booking reference (PNR).
Conclusion
Now you know how to book a flight ticket online in Nigeria without guessing. Whether you’re learning how to book a flight in Nigeria for the first time, planning how to book a flight within Nigeria for a quick business trip, or trying how to book flights with different destinations for a longer journey, the process is the same: search, select, enter correct details, pay securely, and save your booking reference.