If Orbitz Worldwide and Expedia Inc. thought the absence of American Airlines flights on their websites would lead to travelers merely booking other carriers, then they were wrong.
And, competing online travel agencies — such as Priceline and Travelocity, although they weren’t specifically named – didn’t necessarily make up the difference.
Those conclusions were contained in a UBS Investment Research note on Online Travel Agencies, authored by analyst Kevin Crissey.
“We believe Expedia and Orbitz have seen their air transactions fall importantly since American left Orbitz (Dec. 21) and was removed from Expedia (Jan.2),” the note says. “Our channel checks and data suggest many customers have chosen to book on AA.com rather than on competing carriers or through other online agencies.”
Read the full story at:http://www.tnooz.com/2011/01/27/news/analyst-report-expedia-orbitz-feeling-impact-of-american-airlines-exodus/