Travel News

Expedia Protests American Airlines Decision By Hiding Its Fares

Adriana Padilla

American Airlines Fares No Longer Displayed On ExpediaThe holiday season should be a time of peace and joy, but for the online travel industry the last few days have been a time of increased hostility and borderline warfare with the airline industry.

On Monday, American Airlines announced that its fares are no longer being featured on Expedia.com.

The online travel site has begun to hide pricing information on American Airlines flights in an act of protest against American’s removal of flight listings from sister site Orbitz.com.

Starting this week, visitors to Expedia will see that American flights have been pushed further off the grid of flight listings, rather than appearing in order of price.

Instead of displaying the price of American’s airfare, Expedia’s site is running the words “see flights” where American’s fares would normally be.

American Airlines Fares Hidden On Expedia.comThe site is still selling tickets for flights on American, but the lower placement according to American “may mislead some customers to believe they have fewer choices.”

In a press release response to Expedia’s move, the airline has encouraged customers to visit sites such as Kayak.com or Priceline.com or to book on AA.com.

The battle over online fares started when American announced that it would be making its American Airlines and American Eagle flights unavailable on Orbitz.com after December 21.

The airline has been attempting to take control over how its tickets are sold online. American is pressuring travel agencies and giant ticketing clearinghouses to obtain inventory directly through them from an electronic pipeline called AA Direct Connect.

The airline hopes to avoid the fees of the middleman and increase revenue though its new system.

By Adriana Padilla for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related Links: Daily Herald, Forbes, AA.com

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