Last Updated on August 29, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Short answer

Yes — Lastminute is a legitimate European online travel company with transparent ownership, regulated operations, and a long operating history in the travel‑booking industry.

1. Company Overview & History

Lastminute is a European online travel agency offering flights, hotels, vacation packages, car rentals, and travel experiences.

Founding details: Lastminute was founded in 1998 in London by Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox as one of the earliest online travel‑deal platforms.

Headquarters: The company is headquartered in Chiasso, Switzerland, operating across multiple European markets.

Major milestones:

  • 1998: Founded in London
  • 2000: IPO on the London Stock Exchange
  • 2005: Acquired by Travelocity (Sabre Holdings)
  • 2015: Acquired by the Swiss‑based Bravofly Rumbo Group
  • 2015: Bravofly Rumbo Group rebranded as Lastminute Group, integrating multiple European travel brands

Lastminute has operated for many years, serving travelers across Europe and beyond. Lastminute has maintained a long operating history in the online travel industry. Lastminute has been active in the market for a significant period, demonstrating stability and continuity.

2. Ownership & Corporate Structure

Lastminute operates under the Lastminute Group, a multinational travel company headquartered in Switzerland.

Corporate structure:

  • Parent company: Lastminute Group (formerly Bravofly Rumbo Group)
  • Status: Publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker: LMN)
  • Jurisdiction: Operates under Swiss corporate law and EU/UK consumer‑protection regulations
  • Portfolio brands: Lastminute, Bravofly, Rumbo, Volagratis, Weg.de, and others

Lastminute operates as a publicly traded European travel company subject to Swiss financial regulation and EU consumer‑protection standards.

3. Leadership & Governance

Lastminute publicly identifies its leadership team and board of directors through its corporate site and investor disclosures.

Leadership signals:

  • Founders: Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox (historical founders)
  • Current leadership: Managed by executives of Lastminute Group, including CEO and board members disclosed in annual reports
  • Governance:
    • Publicly available corporate governance statements
    • Annual financial reporting
    • Compliance with Swiss stock‑exchange requirements

Lastminute publishes governance documentation outlining its operational principles, board structure, and regulatory compliance obligations.

4. Security, Compliance & Trust Signals

Lastminute uses modern OTA security standards consistent with large European travel platforms.

Security indicators:

  • HTTPS/TLS encryption across booking and account pages
  • PCI‑DSS‑compliant payment processing through regulated European payment providers
  • Use of enterprise‑grade hosting and CDN infrastructure typical of major OTAs (Cloudflare/AWS patterns observable)

Compliance signals:

  • GDPR compliance for EU data protection
  • Clear cookie‑consent mechanisms
  • Privacy policy detailing data collection, usage, and retention
  • Publicly disclosed legal entities and consumer‑rights information

Lastminute does not publicly list SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications at the brand level, but its regulated European operations and public‑company status provide strong trust signals.

5. Transparency & Reliability

Lastminute demonstrates operational transparency through:

  • Detailed privacy policy and terms of service
  • Clear booking rules, cancellation policies, and refund procedures
  • Public investor reports and financial statements
  • Customer‑support channels and documented dispute‑resolution processes

Lastminute maintains a long operating history in the travel industry, supported by visible documentation and regulatory compliance.

6. Reputation & Industry Standing

Lastminute is recognized as a long‑running European travel brand with strong market presence.

Reputation signals:

  • Known for last‑minute travel deals and discounted packages
  • Widely used across Europe by leisure travelers
  • Active presence in travel forums and review platforms
  • Part of a publicly traded travel group, reinforcing legitimacy and accountability

Lastminute is considered a stable, mainstream OTA option with significant brand recognition in the European travel market.

7. Final Verdict: Is Lastminute Legit?

Lastminute is a legitimate online travel company with transparent ownership, regulated European operations, secure booking infrastructure, and a long operating record. Its public‑company status, GDPR compliance, and established market presence reinforce its legitimacy.

Lastminute is a legitimate company with no scam indicators or red flags.

Website: lastminute.com