Expedia stops sale of American Airlines tickets

This moves follows the airline's decision to stop selling its tickets through websites controlled by Orbitz Worldwide.

Expedia said in a statement that has informed several news agencies that it is going to suspend the online sale of tickets of American Airlines (AA).

The company accused airline carrier, saying that they have adopted “new commercial strategy that we believe is anti-customer and anti choice.”

Feud between AA and online sale websites
American Airlines has accused Expedia of listing its flights and schedules lower in their search display as compared to other airlines.

Both the companies have failed to resolve the issue but Expedia said it is open to a new agreement with the airline if the terms of the new agreement are satisfactory and do not hamper its “ability to provide consumers with the products and services they need.”

Despite the dispute with these websites, American Airlines claims to have registered a growth in the sales of its tickets since December.

Reasons behind spat
The whole issue is that the American Airlines wants to have more control over the process of online sale of its tickets as well as other products and services.

With this aim in mind, the airline has stressed on the use of a model created by them called, AA Direct Connect.

Expedia claims that the AA Direct Connect model could hamper the ability of travel agents to offer the best choice to the travelers.

It also alleges that AA Direct Connect would result in increased costs and lesser transparency for the consumers as they will not be able to compare prices of other airlines.

American Airlines has not commented on the decision of Expedia as yet but in a post on its website it has thanked its customers for their overwhelming support during the ongoing feud which according to the airline prevented its “fares being featured on those sites.”

AA claims sales rising despite feud
Despite the dispute with these websites, American Airlines claims to have registered a growth in the sales of its tickets since December.

It has recommended other sites including Kayak.com Priceline.com, and its own website, AA.com for the purchase of its tickets online.

The airline denied any desire to control sales completely, and expressed that they aim to have a larger distribution network and more choices for the customers.

Derek DeCross, sales director, said in the company’s press release on Wednesday, “We do not envision a future in which we only sell to our customers through our own branded website.”