Will it last? Well, when American Airlines decided it would no longer sell through Orbitz in 2010, that online travel agency retaliated and, due to a judge's order, American fares returned to the Orbitz site in 2011.
This is all part of a larger strategy, on the part of Frontier, to cut out the middle man (and his fees). In fall of 2012, the airline announced that only passengers who booked directly on the Frontier website would be allowed to choose their seats in advance (the airline also attached ugly, additional fees to change fees and other services, for those who didn't book direct). This latest move can be seen, I think, as the next move on the chess board.
Who's hurt in all this? Expedia, obviously (Frontier fares will still appear on Orbitz, Priceline and Travelocity). But the consumer is also a loser here, as it will be more difficult for potential flyers to suss out what the costs should be on the routes Frontier flies.
I agree it is a mess.I just spent time researching that XL Airways doesn't list or sell on the big OTA's here.I realized it's now quite a few airlines that make it hard to even find their routes.For instance,I didn't know that XL is starting up a JFK-Marseilles Non Stop this summer.So I can't see the benefit for the airlines saving the commission, if people wont be able to even find their fares easily Best, Travel Rob
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, XL is quirky. Most of its passengers are French, and so it really only markets to them. A shame, as their prices are often the best on the market. Hope you were able to book! Best, Pauline
ReplyDeleteHi Pauline.I booked a ticket for $580rt total in June,so it was worth it.It is quite a maze .I wrote about the best way to do it a few weeks ago.Now they mainly have the fall tickets on sale http://tinyurl.com/bxboxkp Travel Rob
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