American Airlines Direct Connects to Priceline.com

American Airlines Direct Connects to Priceline.com

American Airlines said Jan. 18 that it has entered into an agreement with Priceline.com to utilize American’s direct connect technology to access fares as well as customized travel products and services.     

Priceline.com expects to begin issuing American tickets through the link in the near future. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The link is part of a long-term relationship between American and Priceline.com.

This marks a win for American, which is trying to connect directly to major travel agencies, both online and offline, as it leads airlines’ battle to shape the future of airline distribution. It is a dispute that has seen one major GDS, Sabre, attempt to de-preference its displays of American’s fares and a major online travel agency, Expedia, completely drop American.