American Airlines and Orbitz in Dispute

When you use an online booking engine source like Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, you hope there are checking all of the prices everywhere for you. Not so.

As of December 21, 2010, schedules and fares for flights on the super gay-friendly American Airlines and American Eagle are no longer available on Orbitz.com or websites powered by Orbitz.com. (Expedia’s  travel website is now hiding airfares for American Airlines after the third-largest US carrier pulled data from Orbitz Worldwide Inc as part of a legal dispute).


Tickets for travel already purchased through Orbitz remain valid, but changes must be made through American Airlines Reservations by calling 1-800-433-7300.


According to information posted on American Airlines’ website, the company was “unable to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with Orbitz. As a result, Orbitz is no longer authorized to display our schedules or sell tickets for travel on American Airlines or American Eagle.”


In an MONEYCNN.com article posted today, Brian Hoyt, a spokesman for Orbitz, is quoted as saying, “It is unfortunate that as of Dec. 21, American Airline flights will no longer be available on our Orbitz.com and Orbitz for Business sites.” The article also reports that American Airlines accounted for about 5% of Orbitz’ worldwide revenue for the first nine months of the year, according to Hoyt.


American Airlines customers can still choose from a wide range of online and traditional travel agencies to search for and purchase tickets, including AA.com .


American Airlines and Orbitz are both members of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association and have a long history of supporting and marketing to the gay community.


Share