Orbitz Worldwide Inc. said Wednesday that it will vigorously defend itself against a lawsuit filed by American Airlines, which is in a dispute with the online travel company over commissions. Get the full story »
Orbitz
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Enterprise pulls rental cars from Orbitz
An Enterprise Rent-A-Car office at 849 Roosevelt Road in Lombard. Enterprise will no longer offer car rentals through Orbitz. (Carl Wagner/Tribune)
Orbitz Worldwide Inc. will stop selling auto rentals from Enterprise Holdings’ brands from April 1, after the online travel agent became embroiled in another contract dispute with a leading vendor.
Enterprise, the world’s largest auto rental company through its eponymous brand and Alamo and National units, said Tuesday it was ending its relationship with Chicago-based Orbitz “after months of difficult discussions.” Get the full story »
Orbitz names replacements for outgoing directors
Online travel company Orbitz Worldwide Inc. said Friday that it named Robert Friedman and Kristina Leslie to its board in the wake of resignations from directors Paul Schorr IV and William Cobb. Get the full story »
Orbitz to add rail trips for business travelers
Business travelers can book rail trips online with Orbitz for Business as a result of a partnership with SilverRail Technologies, an online search and booking service. Get the full story »
Orbitz losses widen in 4Q
Chicago-based Orbitz Worldwide Inc.’s fourth-quarter loss widened as revenue increased but the company booked $79.5 million of impairments.
The company also forecast current-quarter revenue of $177 million to $184 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect $194 million. Get the full story »
Online travel agencies score big with shoppers
Online travel agencies remain a big hit with shoppers, new survey data show, but the sites’ popularity could fade if contract battles with airlines leave them with fewer airfares to lure bargain-chasing consumers, researchers warned.
With airfares soaring and the economy stuck in the doldrums, consumers continue to flock to travel sites to plot dream vacations and research deals and steals, a market that’s expected to total $104.6 billion in 2011, according to market research firm PhoCusWright Inc. Get the full story »
Chicago a top-5 Valentine’s Day destination?
After shoveling 20 inches of snow last week, Chicagoans are dreaming of palm trees. But apparently the people with the palm trees are dreaming of…Chicago?
That’s right, The Windy City moved up Orbitz Worldwide’s list of top Valentine’s Day destinations this year to number five. Heck, Chicago even beat bookings to Oahu and Miami. Get the full story »
Orbitz, other sites sue North Carolina over taxes
From The Triangle Business Journal | Chicago-based online travel agency Orbitz and four other online travel sites have filed suit against recent changes in North Carolina law designed to close a loophole that has allowed such companies to avoid paying millions in hotel occupancy taxes.
Orbitz extends contract with ITA
Chicago-based Orbitz Worldwide Inc. said on Monday that it has renewed its agreement with airfare software provider ITA Software through the end of 2015. Get the full story »
US Airways signs deal to stay on Expedia
US Airways says it has signed a deal with Expedia that will keep its flights and fares on the online booking site, less than a month after Expedia pulled American Airlines fares. Get the full story »
American to sell tickets through Priceline
American Airlines, which is battling third-party ticket sellers over distribution costs and methods, Tuesday said it has reached a deal with Priceline.com to use American’s direct connect technology to access fares.
American, a unit of AMR Corp, said Priceline will begin issuing its tickets through the link in the near future. The companies did not disclose terms of the deal. Get the full story »
American-Orbitz fight leads to UBS downgrade
Shares of American Airlines parent AMR Corp. dropped more than 3 percent on Tuesday after UBS downgraded the carrier to “neutral” from “buy,” saying the company’s efforts to cut distribution costs with online travel agencies could hurt profits. Get the full story »
American Airlines holds ground in Sabre spat
American Airlines sparred with third-party ticket sellers on Wednesday in an ongoing battle over distribution costs and methods as one key provider of airfare data vowed to stop offering the airline’s flight information.
Privately held Sabre Holdings Corp operates a global distribution system that provides information on airfares to travel agencies like Travelocity. The company said it would end its distribution deal with American in August — a month before the end of its contract.
The company said it would discontinue price discounts on American Airlines tickets that have stimulated sales. The airline is also at odds with Chicago-based online travel agency Orbitz Worldwide and last month stopped selling tickets on Orbitz. Get the full story »
American seeks deal with Orbitz, Expedia
(Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images)
AMR Corp.’s American Airlines said Wednesday it is still in talks with online travel agencies Orbitz Worldwide and Expedia to reach a deal that would put AMR fares back on those travel websites.
The airline, which is leading a charge among U.S. carriers to lower its distribution costs, last month stopped selling flights on Orbitz and Orbitz for Business. The move came after an Illinois court denied a request for an injunction filed by Travelport LP, which owns a 48 percent share in Orbitz, seeking to prevent American from pulling its flights.
AMR shares were up 4.4 percent at $8.46 in midmorning. Get the full story »
