Effective immediately, American Airlines has pulled its fares from consumer travel websites operated by Orbitz, parent company American Airlines Group announced yesterday. Citing its inability to agree on financial terms with Orbitz, the company likewise will pull US Airways fares on Sept. 1.
"We have worked tirelessly with Orbitz to reach a deal with the economics that allow us to keep costs low and compete with low-cost carriers," American Airlines President Scott Kirby said in a statement. "While our fares are no longer on Orbitz, there are a multitude of other options available for our customers, including brick and mortar agencies, online travel agencies, and our own websites."
According to American, tickets already purchased through Orbitz remain valid for travel, although changes to reservations must be made through airlines' respective reservations departments.
In a formal response to American's decision, Orbitz said: "Our sites offer hundreds of airlines which are eager to capture the revenue American is choosing to forego and we will continue to show our customers a broad range of flight options to thousands of destinations in the U.S. and worldwide."
Corporate clients that use Orbitz for Business to access American and US Airways fares will not be affected.
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