American Airlines has reacted angrily to an incendiary move by Expedia to limit the airline's fares from search results, claiming the "discriminatory action is unwarranted".
The shock decision by Expedia, revealed earlier today, to essentially strip AA's fares out of the results, leaving it with just a name and link rather than prices, has seen the airline issue question the online travel agency's motives and accuse it of "favoritism" toward other airlines.
In a statement, an official says:
"While tickets for air travel on American remain available for purchase on Expedia, its favoritism toward other airlines’ airfares may lead consumers into believing that they have fewer choices, even in situations where American's fares are lower, and schedules are superior, than other airlines that are listed first."
The airline says the decision has come despite the fact that it has "taken no action against and continues to operate in good faith with Expedia".
The snub by Expedia has led AA to simply point out that its fares are now available on rival sites such as Priceline and meta giant Kayak.
Interestingly, AA omitted to mention Travelocity. The airline's fares are still being carried on the site but the OTA's owner Sabre has issued a statement of support to Expedia for its actions today.
Messy.