American Airlines has entered into an agreement with priceline.com to utilise American’s direct connect technology to access fares as well as customised travel products and services.

Published: 19 Jan 2011

American Airlines has entered into an agreement with priceline.com to utilise American’s direct connect technology to access fares as well as customised travel products and services.

Priceline.com expects to begin issuing American Airlines 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 Airlines and priceline.com.

Priceline.com declined to comment on whether it is in other discussions with other airlines to hook up with carriers directly and bypass the GDS system, reported The Wall Street Journal. According to the same report, the online travel company said the direct-connect deal with American is similar to arrangements it has struck in recent years with hotels and car-rental companies.

“We have always used multiple links to get content from our suppliers, so it’s nothing new for Priceline,” said a company spokesman.