LCC Reaches Out To OTAs For ROI
While many Americans were filling up on turkey and watching football this Thanksgiving weekend, JetBlue Airways was busy hammering out the details of its agreements with online travel agencies.
In what is a sign of the new low-cost carrier presence among OTAs, JetBlue has announced partnerships with Priceline.com, Orbitz Worldwide and Travelocity. All three sites will have full access to the airline's published fares, schedules and inventory.
Friends with benefits: In addition, JetBlue will be added to the OTAs' travel-package options. Orbitz will distribute JetBlue fares through its new Orbitz for Business site as well as its CheapTickets brand, while Travelocity reported that JetBlue will soon become part of available Travelocity vacation packages.
JetBlue's emphasis on passenger extras -- satellite television and radio and name-brand snack selection among them -- may have helped the LCC appear more attractive to the sites. "JetBlue offers great in-flight amenities and additional options for our customers," said Travelocity's VP of flights Simon Bramley.
The terms of the agreements remain undisclosed, although Priceline revealed its deal with JetBlue is a multi-year one. JetBlue bookings will be available on all three sites effective immediately.
-- Scott Walker, Editor in Chief, TDR