My original headline for this article said AA "deepens its direct connect" with Expedia Inc. That was misleading. American Airlines spokesman Joshua Freed clarifies:
"We expect Expedia will use a GDS which has integrated with our direct connect on their behalf.
Expedia Inc spokesperson Sarah Gavin said the company uses all three main GDSs: Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport, but she declined to specify if one was providing a particular technical tie to American's direct connect for the seating.
For what it's worth, Amadeus has been the most vocal in touting how it has helped Expedia use next-generation merchandising technology to present air inventory.
ORIGINAL STORY:
American Airlines has extended its distribution deal that places its inventory on Expedia, Travelocity, and Hotwire.
By end of the year, those online travel agency sites will begin to show American Airlines' paid seating options, such as its Main Cabin Extra bundled product that provides more leg room and priority boarding, via the online seat map.
This simulates the booking experience customers receive when booking directly on AA.com today.
In other news, Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) will begin supplying hotel content through AA.com.
The deal was partly put together by senior vice president of global tour & transport at Expedia Inc, Greg Schulze, who has previously worked at American Airlines.
The deal shows how much has changed in the five years since American started fighting with online travel agencies, including Expedia Inc, over the airlines' expectations around adding direct connections.
RELATED: In October Tnooz is holding a hackathon in Hamburg where developers will get their hands on next-generation APIs for airline shopping and related travel services that are beginning to be adopted by airlines worldwide.