AA: Orbitz Misled On Direct Connect Interest, Became Highest-Cost OTA

Before the recent falling out, Orbitz for more than two years represented to American Airlines that it was interested and able to participate in the airline's Direct Connect program, according to sworn testimony last month during the AA-Travelport court case in Cook County, Ill. This was important for AA since Orbitz had become, by far, the most expensive online travel agency, according to the airline's managing director of distribution and merchandising strategy, Bridget Blaise-Shamai.