Continental, Worldspan Partner on Multi-Year Deal

A second airline, Continental, has signed a five-year deal with Worldspan that will give agents the “opportunity” to access the airline´s comprehensive published fares, inventory, and availability. The deal is expected to take effect this summer.

Worldspan again refused to explain what it means by “opportunity,” which has left the door open to speculation that agents will be charged.

Asked twice, directly, whether agents would be charged a fee to access the full content, Worldspan spokeswoman Erin Hadaway said the GDS declined to answer.

Neither American, which signed the first deal, nor Continental will talk about it either.

In its releases about both the American and Continental deals, Worldspan also said it will be introducing two new “optional products” in the marketplace. But it is not yet explaining those either, other than to say the products “will expand our distribution product portfolio and provide the opportunity for additional features and functionality to Worldspan agencies.”